What is to prevent any 'abused' group from following the Gay marriage example?

[Imran Siddiqui]

actually, a newborn child has done something to deserve everthing - they are alive. being alive entitles you to all of those rights.

Only if the government says so .

[Wittlich]

On a side note, Bipolar - did you adopt your handle from "Queer Duck"? The series is an absolute HOOT!

Back to on-topic....carry on.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Carry on what exactly?

[Sava]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Does the land of Oz allow governments to pick and choose which laws they will and will not follow?

CIVIL RIGHTS > DEMOCRACY

[Boris Godunov]

To answer the thread title with a big "duh," the courts, that's what. They've already done so with gay marriages.

But a big part of the objective was acheived, which was showing people loving gay couples making a lifelong commitment to one another, and that it don't hurt nobody.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

Only if the government says so

no. the government is there to enforce said rights, not to grant them.

[bipolarbear]

actually, a newborn child has done something to deserve everthing - they are alive. being alive entitles you to all of those rights.

We are al winners b/c we are all the spem that made it to the egg. It is the one race that we can all say that we've won, unless of course you are a test tube babay, in which case, you are a freaking cheater!

[bipolarbear]

On a side note, Bipolar - did you adopt your handle from "Queer Duck"? The series is an absolute HOOT!

I've never heard of Queer Duck, could you please indulge me?
Actually, I picked the name, becasue I like puns, and I'm Bisexual.

[Boris Godunov]

Bipolar Bear from Queer Duck talks like Paul Lynde and dresses in leather.

[Imran Siddiqui]

no. the government is there to enforce said rights, not to grant them.

We have no rights outside of government. It grants us whatever rights it feels we should have. Try to say you have a 'right' to free speech in a country like the PRC. See how that works.

[Boris Godunov]

So do people in a society with no government have no rights?

[Imran Siddiqui]

So do people in a society with no government have no rights?

Indeed. Those in a 'state of nature' have no rights. It is only with government that rights arise.

[Boris Godunov]

I think those people would disagree with you. Rights are a product of social consensus, not a governmental entity. Rights existed in societies long before government institutions ever appeared. The entire purpose of forming gorvernment initially was to protect rights already accepted by the society.

A government doesn't necessarily determine what rights are enjoyed by the masses. It is, in the end, social values that do so, and there are plenty of times when government contradicts accepted social values.

[Wittlich]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


Bipolar Bear from Queer Duck talks like Paul Lynde and dresses in leather.

Thanks Boris, you hit the nail on the head.

If you've never seen "Queer Duck" and you get Showtime - Queer Duck usually airs just before or right after "Queer as Folk" on Showtime. April 18th is the season premier of Queer as Folk, in case anyone is interested.

[Boris Godunov]

They haven't cancelled that drek yet? Oy.