idiots arguing with idiots...

1) there's literally absolutely zero scientific evidence that homosexuality is genetic. it's actually coming from two different things.

i) a legal argument. now, it's a pretty smart legal argument. and it actually worked. the person couldn't be held liable for "sodomy" because there wasn't a choice. texas. now, i'm going to come back to this at (2), but is this really what you want, from a legal perspective?

ii) scientifically, it's a guess. the logic is something like "we can't make sense of this, so it's probably genetic". the amount of positive evidence that exists is zilch. and a little thought should demonstrate that it does not make sense to suggest that we have no agency in the matter. unless you think god made us all as snowflakes. this is what you're really getting at, here - not science, but the softer, more liberal take on christianity. the "god made us all special" kind.

2) it's far more empowering that it's a choice. i'm transgendered. i hate the idea that i didn't have any agency in this, that i was born with some defect or something. no. i woke up one day and said "i'd rather be a chick", i went to the doctor, i explained it and i got some drugs for it. that's empowerment. empowerment is not "i'd change if i could, but i can't". empowerment is "i could be straight if i wanted to, but i want to be gay, and fuck you and your god if you don't like it".

3) sexuality is fluid. you need to do the research on this. there are not categories. sexuality does change.

i don't want to argue about rhetoric. find me a peer-reviewed article, or shut the fuck up. not fucking slashdot. peer reviewed. actual science - that thing you talk about, but obviously don't know anything about.

if you actually go through this process, what you will learn is that:

(1) sexuality is not fully understood, but is thought to be a complex result of primarily environmental factors.
(2) sexuality is fluid.
(3) sexuality is an essential aspect of identity.

...meaning that what the science actually states is three-fold:

(1) sexuality is malleable.
(2) individuals choose their sexuality based on their perceived identity.
(3) it is oppressive to alter people's identity through coercion or force.

i need to be clear that i'm not interested in debating with idiots [and there's as many on the left as the right] and have no patience for patronizing tones on this topic, of which you are so wrong about, and which the actual professional literature is so clear regarding. i will delete your responses unless they include links to peer reviewed literature. and, doing this research for yourself will hopefully allow you to actually learn a few things.

you want to avoid any kind of activist groups. they're as bad as the religious groups. you want to avoid popular science literature. and you want to avoid the mainstream press.

it's a very unfortunate situation, where you have these civil rights groups taking advantage of a legal loop hole to push mass ignorance. the aims of these legal groups are admirable. and the success of the defense says a lot about the incompetence of the legal system. but, from a scientific perspective, this is all wrong. and learning that is a question of doing basic research from respectable sources.

and, as i've noted, a real liberal rights supporter would not line up with these groups. they're pushing religion by stealth.

the science aligns with the rights theory, here: we're autonomous individuals that have the right and ability to make decisions about our personal lives. real atheists should be challenging anything that attempts to contradict that. the absolute deficit of any evidence whatsoever aside, dna is not a magical force. it does not attempt to control our thoughts. the premise is incoherent.

queers need to stop hiding behind the state as a protective sheer, take responsibility for their decisions in life, build allies with other oppressed groups and mobilize against the forces that wish to restrict their personal freedom. this should be a revolutionary flashpoint. instead, it's just more fucking welfare state bullshit. successfully brainwashed.

this is the important week, coming up. the doctor has the papers. by next monday (march 1st), i will either have them completed and ready to mail or i will be forced to generate a crisis. there's no further adjustments or wait-and-sees, it's time for action.

given that i'm planning around a suicide attempt over the next few weeks, it may seem like a weird time to quit smoking. but it's just been far too cold out; bundling up for that kind of weather every hour or two just hasn't been appealing. so, i'm actually at two weeks now. and it seems like it might legitimately hold, this time. the in and out has really lost it's appeal...

we'll see if that changes when the weather warms up. but, for now, i prefer my warm blanket and don't foresee any forthcoming desire to work the constant trips outdoor back into my daily routine.

you would probably expect me to say i love norm macdonald.

and you'd be right.

i suspect that sponge bob could do a much more worthwhile parody of this guy.

this is truly awful

i had some doubts when it happened, but it does appear to be that phil hartman is, in fact, dead - as evidenced by his zombified corpse appearing in these videos.

you're all missing the greater context, here: bill should really be recognized for his war service. i think there should be a petition to get him a medal for his bravery.

i have a good name for the award:

the fletcher memorial home award for excellence in journalism

it should be accompanied by immediate admittance to the home, as a public service, free of charge.

high protein diets create heart problems, not muscle mass. if you want to save the bros, you should be taking this stuff away from them and giving them spaghetti, instead. but, personally? i'd say good riddance.

the consequences of their vanity in this regard are actually quite fitting.