[PLUG-TALK] Visiting from Tacoma

[MJang]

On Mon, 2009-01-05 at 12:42 -0800, Michael Robinson wrote: 
> > > I've lived near Portland for 23+ years.  I have been using Linux for
> > > over 10 years.  I am most certainly representative of the Linux users
> > > in the greater Portland Metropolitan area.  
> 
> > When I lived near the Hampton Roads metro area, I became good friends
> > with a number of followers of the Reverend Pat Robertson. Your views
> > wouldn't even be representative of the people there.
> 
> > > My comments are perfectly
> > > legitimate, you don't see me shacking up with a fiancee.
> 
> I've shacked up with someone before, I know that it doesn't work.

It has worked for me, I believe it works for millions who live happy
lives.
> 
> > You've said that you've never been married. So what do you know of that
> > institution besides what you've read?
> 
> I've never seen God face to face, but I still believe in him.  Just
> because I haven't been married, that doesn't preclude me from having
> beliefs and standards concerning marriage.  

And if you do ever marry, come back to this topic. At that time, you
might get a bit more respect.

> As far as being different
> from the followers of Pat Robertson, of course I am and it is very
> rude of you to try and compare all conservatives to Pat Robertson.

You miss my point, in part. I compare you to the followers of Pat
Robertson, because your views are so much more intolerant than them.

So perhaps you get my point in part. I do see you as marginal in the
American political spectrum.

> 
> > >   If it is
> > > appropriate to promote inappropriate sexual activity on plug-talk it
> > > is appropriate to discourage it as well.
> > 
> > I saw no such promotion in Andrew's message. And your follow up to
> > Andrew was to attack his fiancee for her culinary choices. Based on your
> > biblical citation, it sounds like you're saying that people who do not
> > eat meat cannot be Christians.
> 
> And God said, "these are good to eat," and he was showing Peter 
> animals.  Read the bible before you assume that it supports
> vegetarianism.

I make no such assumption. Your insults to Andrew's fiancee suggest that
you believe that being a vegetarian is a sin on the same level as GLBT
relationships and childless marriages. However, the Bible is irrelevant
to my dietary choices as an omnivore. 

> 
> Andrew promoted shacking up which is just as wrong as homosexuality
> activity.

I believe that "shacking up" before marriage leads to happier
relationships. Ever wonder why divorce rates are so much higher in the
Bible belt?

>   "I got a place at the nines for me any my fiancee."  Did
> he get two places at the nines?  He didn't say he did.

So what? He never said whether the room had one or two beds. And unless
he declared that his fiancee was under 18, why would that matter? 
> 
> > It's quite a followup to your attack on the legitimacy of marriage
> > between people who choose to remain childless.
> 
> Which is not their choice to make.

I have made that choice twice. While the first time, that choice ended
because my dearly departed Nancy left this world, our time together was
among the happiest years of my life. 

>   If they want to make that choice
> for God, they have no business being a couple 

Which suggests that you believe in coupling before marriage. So perhaps
you don't believe in forced arranged marriages. Perhaps that's one point
in your favor. 

> let alone getting
> married.  

I do not know of any country that includes a commitment to procreation
in its marriage contract.

> If you can't leave the decision to produce new life to
> God, you aren't ready to marry anyone.

Too bad. And that's not only from me.

Thanks (to everyone else),
Mike