I'm sure that God loves a few people that I don't like.

 

LBJ, the consumate Texas politician, once observed that you could gain a man's everlasting fealty simply by convincing him that he was better than somebody. It didn't matter who, as long as the voter you were after, the poor southern white male, was convinced he was better than the poor sod consigned to the bottom of society's heap by the politicans. Back then, it was the blacks, who southern politicos sought to portray as somehow less than fully human, while at the same time sexually threatening, and it worked for years, and still does, to some extent.

But today, it's not politically correct (or safe) to pick on the blacks, so a new whipping boy is in order. The right wing religious nutters have cast about and found him, in all his glory -- genus Homo. He does unHoly things -- so they say -- and worst of all, he threatens your family. Exactly how is not specified, Logic is thrown out the window, and a call to arms is sounded. Soon, Texans will turn out to deny full civil rights to a certain segment of the population -- simply because they are different.

It makes me want to cry for my country.

 

Well said!!!!!

 

You must have fallen out of one of those "trees" at the "farm".

First off, LBJ was not the consumate Texan. He belonged to a party of wimps, back stabbers and crooks.
Second, where do you get this as a Texas thing? I believe something like 13 other states have already passed similiar legislation.
But, your probably right about one thing.....some segments of the population DON"T deserve full civil rights.

 

Ah, a personal attack launched by you. 1000 Demerits.

Consumate Texas politician.

Let's see: Texas Congressman, Senator, Minority Leader, Majority Leader, U.S. Veep, and sundry other appointments. I don't count the accidental President bit -- and no, I don't think he had JFK shot, but getting where he did and doing it amidst some of the nastiest politcal infighting in the country does make him a consumate Texas politician.

Yep, and he was the best of the best. I rest my case.

They may have, but since this thread -- which I didn't start -- is about an impending Texas election, I am exercising my right to participate in it. Besides, I am a recovering Texan, which means I used to live there and get to have my say. You should hear some of the dirt I have on LBJ that didn't make it into the press.

And I thought we were currently fighting TWO wars to prevent exactly that. Silly me.

 

LBJ was a Southern Democrat, which was an entirely different breed of cat than what we call "Democrat" today. A Southern Democrat then would be vastly more conservative than the Republicans are today.

 

Nothing personal, just a opinion.

Let's see now.....people that should not have full civil rights....how about pedophiles, rapist, drug peddlers, and felons in general that are out on the streets because of our weak penalty and prison systems.

 

I expected this argument.

There is a difference. They do not lose their civil rights because they belong to some group or classification that they by act of God, nature, or chance (your choice) happen to fall into. No, they lose their civil rights because of their individual conscious criminal actions. Actions which have been judged criminal by a jury of their peers in accordance with our constitution.

If they have been found guilty and are on the streets, there is a problem that needs to addressed. I'm all for addressing it. But if "they" are on the streets and have not been charged and found guilty of any crime, who is going to say "they" are guilty and should not have full civil rights? Is it going to be some self proclaimed bunch of vigilantes? Is it going to be the by government ruling by fiat instead of law?

Either we have the rule of law -- and those who have not been convicted of a crime have full civil rights -- or we have the rule of man -- and that is and has always been the province of kings, dictators, and religious tyrants.

Democracy and the rule of law is never easy. Thousands have fought and died for it. Thousands more will likely die in the future. Let's not make those sacrifices in vain by denying civil rights for some groups simply because we don't like them. America is better than that.

 

Sorry TreeFarm, you're rambling from subject to non-subject. Go take a nap and I'm sure you will wake up feeling better and have a clear head.

 

Let's see now........are you putting gays and lesbians, people who are simply different from you and I, yet they are still people who care and love each other in a similar way I care and love my wife, and I hope as you care and love yours, in the same group of people who intentionally hurt and prey on other innocent people? Quite a twist there.
The US has the highest rate of incarceration on any first world nation, yet we still have one of the highest rates of crime in the world. Our method of crime reduction does not seem to be working very well.

 

I guess I was naive in thinking that I could post this without it turning into what it has. How disappointing.

I'll let you guys have this thread now. I'm not sure why all of you folks are suddenly so interested in the Texas Constitution, but so be it. If your goal is to get it locked then keep it up and I'm sure one of our fine administrators will oblige you.

Naturally, there is a LOT that I'd LIKE to say on the topic of gay marriage but I'm biting my tongue. It wouldn't be productive so I won't bother.

But, let me say this one more time before I turn this one over to the dogs:

Vote how you wish, but VOTE!!!

Of course, that only applies to my fellow Texans who actually have something at stake here. Along those lines, there are a total of 9 constitutional amendments that are going to be on the ballot on November 8th. I won't list them here, but if you'd like to see what they are you can go HERE.

For all of you who took this thread for what it was intended to be...I offer you a sincere "thank you".

 

I'm sorry I ran with the unintended purpose.

Vote well and Vote often!!!


phox

 

I'm not gonna get involved in the politics/morality here some want to argue.

Hoss, I'm pretty sure I know where you stand, but thanks for trying to just present some information. It's tough to do sometimes without involving politics, and I was gonna say thank for trying.

And sorry it dwindiled into an argument that is just gonna get locked because people can't be civil.

 

Actually, I think it's remained fairly civil, considering the topic and the wide array of opinions that the people on this board represent. Especially taking into account some of the posts I see on other boards. This thread hasn't even had to be edited yet, let alone locked!

And yes Hoss, it HAS kinda got off your intended purpose, but did you really think it wouldn't? After all, you prob'ly didn't think your bed liner topic would last as long as it has either, did you?

I'll say it again; I'm glad to be a part of this board!

chaikwa.

 

I gotta agree this is about the only board I frequent, because I can' stand the incessant arguments at others...