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Name: michael
Nickname: Mike
Member since: 2008-09-09 20:06:23
Website URL: http://www.michaelgoonan.com/
About me: I've been a frequent visitor to Liberaland and have been commenting on Alan's posts since around March 2008.
Name: michael
Nickname: Mike
Member since: 2008-09-09 20:06:23
Website URL: http://www.michaelgoonan.com/
About me: I've been a frequent visitor to Liberaland and have been commenting on Alan's posts since around March 2008.
Why 10-Year-Old Won't Say Pledge Of Allegiance
November 12th, 2009 at 11:45 pmBoth my parents are conservatives, and I’m a liberal. I’m very close with my parents and they certainly taught me values, i.e. hard work, kindness, etc. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m going to agree with my parents on everything and I doubt that’s the case in any parent/child relationship, hence the existence of the “generation gap.” Take the issue of gay rights. To my very conservative dad, gays have rights, but they are “social and sexual deviants” whose relationships should not be sanctioned by the government in any way. My mom accepts the possibility that homosexuality is innate and that gays should not be discriminated against, but only believe in civil unions because “marriage is between a man and a woman,” with no further explanation. Contrast that with my view that gays are people who are simply different who have been historically marginalized by society in the same way that all other minorities have, and that do deny them their basic right to marry the person they love is in direct violation of their civil rights, and to do anything less, i.e. civil unions, is “separate but equal.”
Now, does any of this mean that my parents are not good parents? No. But it does prove that 100% of the “values” that our parents teach us are going to sit right with us. My parents, especially my dad, are very interested in politics and have always openly discussed their views with me and recently even debated with me. They respect my right as an American to believe whatever I want to believe and they always have. What’s important to them is that they got through to me on the really important universal values in life, i.e. hard work, kindness, honesty, etc. Whether or not I see eye-to-eye with Paul Krugman or Milton Friedman economics is totally up to me.
Health Care Vote Held Up By Abortion Opponents
November 7th, 2009 at 5:05 pmI’m in agreement with Rep. Ellsworth, flap, and others here. Elective abortion should not be covered by federal dollars, period, just as a boob job shouldn’t be covered. (This does not apply to therapeutic abortions to save the mother’s life)
This, however, does NOT mean that health care reform shouldn’t be passed! Those who will belabor this issue to death as a means of blocking health care legislation should be ashamed of themselves. Once it is made clear in the bill that elective abortions will not be covered (and I believe it will), let the issue go. I have a feeling that some, particularly conservative opponents of any sort of reform, will try to find some sort of inadequacy in the abortion language in the bill in order to continue to stall legislation.
The War On Christmas Has Begun!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:11 pmExactly, Jasper. When it’s called a “holiday parade,” Jewish members of the community are more likely to feel welcome and included, for example. There’s nothing wrong with having overtly Christian (say, a local church group) and overtly Jewish (local synagogue) parts of the parade as long as all are included.
The War On Christmas Has Begun!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:08 pmNothing wrong with calling it a “Christmas tree” as long as minority religions like Judaism are also represented with a “Hanukkah menora.” While Christianity may be the majority religion and Christmas a widely celebrated holidy, it doesn’t mean that everybody practices it. The government can feel free to join in the celebration as long as it isn’t showing favoritism, thus why I believe that a “Holiday parade” is a more appropriate and inclusive term. I do agree that the term “Christmas tree” is fine, however, and we don’t need to be shy about saying the word Christmas.
Kimberly Daniels Warns That Evil Is Sent Through Halloween Candy (Updated)
October 30th, 2009 at 10:13 amWow, how eye opening! I’ll never watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown the same way again!
Scalia Would Have Maintained Racial Segregation (Corrected)
October 27th, 2009 at 3:39 pm“Is not the challenge of our legal justice to conform to our contemporary notions of social justice?”
Louis Braneis
Anti-Abortionists Using E-Bay To Raise Funds For Tiller Killer
October 26th, 2009 at 10:13 am“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5.9
“Thou shalt not kill” Exodus 20.13
It disgusts me that these folks use Christianity to justify their actions. Jesus would be furious!
Anti-Abortionists Using E-Bay To Raise Funds For Tiller Killer
October 26th, 2009 at 10:11 amAs a liberal who happens to be pro-life, I find this disgusting, vile, and evil. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Roeder is a maniac who has no right to murder anybody, even a doctor who performs abortions. Our society must protect the rule of law, and it must never be okay to murder somebody just because you don’t like what they do.
Schumer: Democrats Close To Having 60 Votes For Public Option
October 26th, 2009 at 10:08 am“I predict…no states will opt out.”
I sure as hell hope not! I’m not so optimistic though. I think that folks like Gov. Rick “Texas might have to secede from the union” Perry and Bobby Jindal in Louisiana would be more than happy to opt out of this “socialist, Marxist, fascist, evil” plot to provide all Americans with health care coverage!
Schumer: Democrats Close To Having 60 Votes For Public Option
October 26th, 2009 at 10:05 amCongress may do whatever is necessary and proper to fulfill its enumerated powers. To “provide for the general welfare” is one of Congress’ enumerated powers. Just because you don’t like universal health care doesn’t mean that it’s unconstitutional. When Pelosi said “Are you serious?” she was in disbelief that the media was giving this bogus argument the time of day.
Senator Vitter Doesn't Condemn JP Who Won't Marry Interracial Couple
October 21st, 2009 at 5:44 pm…and Republicans wonder why blacks won’t vote for them. Making a black guy the head of the RNC doesn’t change the fact that when it comes right down to it, they’re not willing to address clear issues of racism like this head on.
Man Arrested For Being Naked In Own Home
October 21st, 2009 at 5:32 pmBig Brother is watching you…..with your clothes off.
GOP State Rep Metcalfe Calls Vets Traitors For Believing In Climate Change
October 19th, 2009 at 8:14 pmA Calvin and Hobbes quote fits this man well. This comment “certifies him as a grade ‘A’ nimrod”
Balloon Dad's Bizarre Stunts
October 19th, 2009 at 1:57 amAlan,
I’ve never seen you so obsessed with one person. Not even Meghan McCain or Carrie Prejean!
Balloon Dad Defends Use Of F-Word And Gay Slur In Family Video
October 16th, 2009 at 5:28 pmOne post about this guy would have been more than enough.
Meghan McCain On Her Breasts
October 16th, 2009 at 1:56 pmSociety has to stop having the double standard that McCain is talking about. There’s no societal problem with men wearing muscle shirts, etc., and similarly society should lighten up when it comes to women showing cleavage.
Similarly, the media needs to stop wasting time on such “scandals”
Louisiana Justice Of The Peace Denies Interracial Couple Marriage License
October 16th, 2009 at 2:01 amI’m sorry, but my knee jerk reaction was that I couldn’t believe that you were in any way defending this guy as a man with “good intentions.” In other words, even though I knew you disagreed, I just couldn’t believe you were being so charitable to somebody who is clearly a bigot.
Louisiana Justice Of The Peace Denies Interracial Couple Marriage License
October 16th, 2009 at 1:59 amflap,
There is a clear difference between two unrelated consenting adults of the same sex agreeing to enter into a marriage contract and somebody wanting to marry their child. You know that. That’s why homosexual behavior is legal and pedophilia is not. All gays want is the same right to enter into a legal marriage contract with their partner, the same way that parters of the opposite sex do. Whether or not religious institutions want to recognize gay marriages is their own business, but from a purely legal standpoint, a gay couple should have the right to go before a justice of the peace and obtain a marriage contract.
Louisiana Justice Of The Peace Denies Interracial Couple Marriage License
October 16th, 2009 at 1:41 amWow, flap. This has got to be the stupidest thing you’ve ever said. I don’t feel like I can call you a bigot because I know from your posts that’s not how you are, but this is an awfully bigoted sounding post, I’m sorry.
Louisiana Justice Of The Peace Denies Interracial Couple Marriage License
October 16th, 2009 at 1:39 amFlap,
How would you feel if the societal norm was for men to marry men, but you were attracted to women? You would have equal rights to marry another man. Why should marriage be redefined to conform to your lifestyle?
Louisiana Justice Of The Peace Denies Interracial Couple Marriage License
October 16th, 2009 at 1:04 am“I just don’t believe in mixing the races like that…”
Tough crap, your honor (I use that term loosely). It doesn’t matter what you believe. Your job is to follow the law and do your civic duty, not impose your personal beliefs on the citizens you serve. If this guy isn’t impeached, it will be an outrage.
Baucus Bill Would Cut Deficit By $81 Billion Over 10 Years
October 9th, 2009 at 4:43 pmI think you mean Packers v. Vikings. To a certain extent I was, yes. I’m still obviously a Packers fan, but it felt weird rooting against Brett Favre for the first time, and even though the Packers lost, I felt strangely happy for him for playing so well.
Baucus Bill Would Cut Deficit By $81 Billion Over 10 Years
October 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pmTrue, Lefty. But at least SOME on the left are pushing for the public option. There’s no doubt that the majority of whining is coming from the right though.
Baucus Bill Would Cut Deficit By $81 Billion Over 10 Years
October 9th, 2009 at 3:39 pmEducation on this issue is an absolute must, I agree. There is a lot of misinformation out there being propagated by the insurance industry and their right wing congressional allies. “Government takeover of healthcare”, “death panels”, etc.
Republicans Use Nobel Peace Prize To Bash Obama
October 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pmNo matter what side of the political aisle you’re on, you have to admit that this is a good thing for America. I think that when our president wins a Nobel Prize, that shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s a great day for America, and you can’t argue with the fact that this makes us look that much better on the world stage. I don’t understand how this can possibly be construed as something negative for our country……all I hear is a bunch of partisan whining. The right wing needs to grow up!