FBI Cracks Down on Online Poker

[Ben Kenobi]

That's different - gay marriage is gays imposing their gayness on Ben, so if you think about it, by opposing gay marriage Ben is defending freedom.

This is a good question. Couple things here. First question, is what is the constitutional role of the government. Does the government have a role in marriage? Does it have the capacity to enforce marriage regulations (ie, consanguinity, bigamy, etc). I would argue that constitutionally the role of the government has been to defend the common law definition of marriage.

The government doesn't have the authority to redefine marriage. They can only stand up for the common law, which is one man and one woman, of marriageable age and no closer than 2nd cousins. That's the English common law definition, which predates the formation of the United States of America.

WRT gay marriage, the government doesn't have the jurisidiction to redefine marriage, as marriage isn't the creation of the government.

The other argument goes is that government shouldn't have any role in enforcing marriage regulations, but that one doesn't fly, at least for the United States. If this were to happen, the US would have to remove all references to marriage, including partner benefits, etc, everywhere the federal government looks to marriage. Including immigration. What gay marriage activists want is something quite different. They want to extend benefits to their favoured class, which is contrary to the desires of any believer in small government.

Remember Loin, I'm not really a authoritarian, Political Compass consistantly ranks me about +5, -2. I'm a fiscal hawk and a social libertarian, by their definitions.

[Asher]

This is a good question. Couple things here.

Remember Loin, I'm not really a authoritarian, Political Compass consistantly ranks me about +5, -2. I'm a fiscal hawk and a social libertarian, by their definitions.

So you're pro-choice and pro-gay marriage and pro-mosque at ground zero and pro-gay literature in schools?

[Ben Kenobi]

Just took the test. +7 economic conservative, -2.5 social libertarian.

I'd always support my country, whether it was right or wrong. Strongly Disagree

My country is Canada. I think they are totalitarian. 'Strong Disagree' is too weak.

No one chooses his or her country of birth, so it's foolish to be proud of it. Disagree

USA is a great country. You should be proud to be an American. Some countries are worthy.

Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races. Strongly Disagree

I think white people, frankly, suck badly at many different things.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Strongly Disagree

The enemy of my enemy is still my enemy.

Military action that defies international law is sometimes justified. Strongly Disagree

See, Obama and Libya for 'overseas adventure tourism'.

There is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment.

Disagree

Yes there's a fusion. Yes, Colbert sucks. Am I worried? No.

People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality. Strongly Disagree

How do you define 'class'. Oddly, Communists actually write that class can be overcome, and it's *necessary* for class warfare to be successful.

*Abortion, when the woman's life is not threatened, should always be illegal. Strongly Agree *

One of the social authoritarian questions.

All authority should be questioned. Agree

I'm a convert. This includes religious authority.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Strongly Disagree

Leaves everyone blind. Forgive them anyways.

Schools should not make classroom attendance compulsory. Strongly Agree.

Education only works when it's voluntary.

All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind. Strongly Disagree

Who is my 'kind'. I've spent most of my life defying this.

Good parents sometimes have to spank their children. Agree.

I'm in favour of spanking, but there are other ways to discipline that are more effective.

It's natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents. Agree

What is natural isn't usually the right thing to do.

*Possessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence. Strongly Disagree *

Again, a strong social authoritarian stance.

The prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs. Strongly Disagree

The prime function is to help students learn. I'm in liberal arts, so.

People with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce. Strongly Disagree

Can we have a 'super strong disagree'? Please!

The most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline. Agree

Discipline is important, is it the most important thing? No. Is it important? Yes.

There are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures. Strongly Disagree

There are savage white people.

Those who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society's support. Strongly Agree

Why am I paying for other people when I am not entitled to disability?

When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things. Strongly Disagree

Unexamined life is not worth living.

First-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country. Strongly Disagree

For obvious reasons.

Our civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism. Disagree.

I think that the patriot act has been a good thing overall.

A significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system. Strongly Disagree

Debate is essential to democracy.

Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried. Strongly Disagree

Especially in the Obama age where they want us to have 'official online IDs'. Thanks Obama.

The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes. Strongly Disagree

Catholic church teaches this, so here's where I sit. State should not have power over life and death.

In a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded. Strongly Disagree

Especially not commies who think that they *are* the elite.

Abstract art that doesn't represent anything shouldn't be considered art at all. Agree

I'm a realist in my artistic choices. Do I believe that esthetics are all that important? No.

In criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation. Disagree

Is punishment important? Yes. Is rehabilitation more important? Yes.

It is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals. Strongly Disagree

I believe that everyone can be redeemed by Christ.

Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers. Agree

Have to be honest here. I like women who enjoy looking after their house and children.

Making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity. Agree

I could really go either way on this question. Yes, it's important to settle down and choose, ultimately, whom you will serve.

Astrology accurately explains many things. Strongly Disagree

It's bunk and hokum.

You cannot be moral without being religious. Strongly Disagree

Morality must be understood by those who are not religious in order to be true. See Romans, 'Law written on our hearts'.

Some people are naturally unlucky. Strongly Disagree

Some are blessed, some are not blessed. Blessings come from God, not from nature, and anyone can be blessed.

It is important that my child's school instills religious values. Strongly Agree

Yep, pretty simple here.

Sex outside marriage is usually immoral. Strongly Agree

How I believe is what Christ believe.

A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship, should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption. Strongly Disagree

Children have a need for a father and a mother. We should not experiment with children.

Pornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population. Agree

Do I like it? No. Should it be legal? Yes.

What goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state. Strongly Agree

The state shouldn't be in the business of selling abortion, contraception, and providing the means for either. Especially not on my dime.

No one can feel naturally homosexual. Strongly Agree

What is natural isn't what is right.

These days openness about sex has gone too far. Strongly Agree

What I feel.

[giblets]

Ben, there isn't anything in the Constitution about marriage, aside from the full faith and credit clause which obligates states to recognize the marriage licenses issued by other states.

edit: actually I'm not sure if even the full faith and credit clause has anything to do with marriage

[Ben Kenobi]

Political compass is much more broad then that.

I can be totally against abortion, against homosexuality, against gay adoption, against drugs, against sex before marriage, against astrology support spanking, women staying home, making peace with the establishment, art that means something, totally support religious education, and less talk about sex.

And still come out as a social libertarian.

[Asher]

Obviously it's flawed, you're retarded, and this is boring.

[Ben Kenobi]

there isn't anything in the Constitution about marriage, aside from the full faith and credit clause which obligates states to recognize the marriage licenses issued by other states.

Reynolds is really the most important case regarding these issues, where it was argued that constitutionally, the US Federal government has an obligation to enforce the common law regarding marriage.

[Ben Kenobi]

Obviously it's flawed, you're retarded, and this is boring.

I don't think it is. It's always listed me as a social libertarian. Mostly because I'm against war and against the death penalty, believe in rehabilitation, strongly enough to come out that way. If you've got another and better test go ahead and provide it and I'll take it.

[Asher]

I don't think it is. It's always listed me as a social libertarian. Mostly because I'm against war and against the death penalty, believe in rehabilitation, strongly enough to come out that way. If you've got another and better test go ahead and provide it and I'll take it.

You cant be a social libertarian when you pointedly insist people live their social lives as per your standards.

[Ben Kenobi]

You cant be a social libertarian when you pointedly insist people live their social lives as per your standards

How is believing that unborn children shouldn't be killed authoritarian?

[Asher]

How is telling me who I can marry not authoritarian?

How is telling women what to do with their own bodies not authoritarian?

[giblets]

Reynolds is really the most important case regarding these issues, where it was argued that constitutionally, the US Federal government has an obligation to enforce the common law regarding marriage.

Maybe you could provide a link to what you're talking about.

[giblets]

How is telling women what to do with their own bodies not authoritarian?

Abortion supposedly has a victim, so restricting it doesn't require an authoritarian mindset.

[Asher]

A victim is an unwanted child in an orphanage, at the mercy of a predatory priest. A fetus is nothing.

[Ben Kenobi]

How is telling me who I can marry not authoritarian?

How is demanding state benefits to recognize your relationship not authoritarian? How is blacklisting and barring anyone who disagree with you not authoritarian.

How is telling women what to do with their own bodies not authoritarian?

There's two bodies involved, that's the problem. It's not just the woman, but the woman and her child. Arguing that the child has the equal right to life is not authoritarian, quite the opposite.