Opinions You Just Don't Understand

[spartan231490]

I don't understand how people can think that gun control works. The gun laws passed in the UK, in Australia, in the US(federal, I haven't looked at every state) New York, California, Washington DC, and Chicago didn't have any impact on crime rates, not one. How can you believe in something with such an overwhelming record of failure?

 

[The White Hunter]

Not to mention all those people who will oppose any kind of clean energy production such asz nuclear plants and wind farms whilst also being incredibly self righteous about the environment.

Yeah, fuck those guys.

Well as someone who feels that the most important politic issue in modern times is the environment and clean energy, I think I can help explain why some people(such as myself) are hesitant to embrace nuclear plants. The issues I have with nuclear plants are that I haven't really seen any safe ways of getting rid of nuclear waste other than just burring it and thinking "out of sight, out of mind". That's not even getting into the concern about how you would transport the nuclear waste to the dumping/storage site. In addition to that, there is the fear that what happened in Japan could also happen at other nuclear power plants as well. Hope this clears things up.

As for wind farms, I don't oppose them so I don't really know why other people are opposed to them. Maybe they are a serious threat to birds or something, but I'm just guessing.

Wind farms are no threat to birds however the effect they have on air pressure in the immediate vicinity causes the capillaries in bats lungs to burst and they drown as a result in their own blood, but otherwise now the do nothing but provide clean energy.

I can agree that nuclear energy does present the issue of the disposing of the waste and we do need to research farther into more effective disposal methods (my suggestion is to use the sun as a nice destruction tool or something, I mean surely we can point a rocket that way?). That fear is not necessarily sensible in certain places, in the UK or a lot of Europe for example natural disasters such as tsunami's are not a major concern and thus it is more viable, I can understand the concern if the proposed plants were near fault lines or something but recently in my area we had a plant denied because of no reason at all, just people disliked the idea. It would've been safe, provided cheap and efficient energy and created work for a few hundred people in the area at the least for a few decades.

Nuclear is a good solution, but we do need to research into material disposal more, that much I can agree with. Most of the arguments against it I encounter are based on meltdowns and chernobyl fantasy, to which the solution is simple: people do their jobs and you maintain the place appropriately.

 

[The White Hunter]

Let's say there's a heterosexual romance drama show you are completely ambivalent about. Brokeback Mountain is on TV. Those are your only two choices, and you can't turn off the TV. Do you switch the channel from Brokeback to watch the heterosexual romance? If so, then yes, you're a little bit homophobic.

Yes I would.

I guess were discussing a very subjective subject, but I still feel that Homophobic isn't the right word to describe me lack of desire to watch men make out, considering the fact that I don't hate homosexuals nor do I advocate violence against them. I mean where do you draw the line between personal preference and Homophobia? I mean would it be homophobic for me to go on a porn site that offers different kinds of videos and have the option to watch gay porn but refuse to do so and only watch straight[footnote]While I'm aware that some straight guys like Lesbian porn, I'm not referring to that. I'm referring to stuff where a man and a women are having "regular" sex and where no phallic objects are involved.[/footnote] porn?

As som,ebody who has experienced a great deal of homophobia and bisexual-specific things that are similar, I feel the need to interject and simply state that if you dont want to watch two guys make out, then don't, but if you were to describe such a thing as "repulsive" or feel the need to interupt and interject, that would be homophobic.

I'd also like to say, I hate watching anybody make out

Edit: Oh and Brokeback Mountain is actually a pretty good movie, I'd recommend it. It's not exactly explicit or anything.

 

[The White Hunter]

I don't understand how people can think that gun control works. The gun laws passed in the UK, in Australia, in the US(federal, I haven't looked at every state) New York, California, Washington DC, and Chicago didn't have any impact on crime rates, not one. How can you believe in something with such an overwhelming record of failure?

Most guns used for crime or obtained illegally through black market sources. Also: Switzerland has more guns than friggin people and fuck all gun crime, and each and every gun is an "assault weapon".

Just thought I'd give you some other arguments, also the one I alwys use: there are far more effective ways to deal with crime than prohibition of firearms, such as education, mental healthcare, healthcare in general, happiness of the population, reducing feelings of unwantedness in children and adolescents (through care services, adoption services and indeed through ease of abortion of unwanted children).

 

[Froggy Slayer]

I don't understand why anyone would bother to be homophobic. It's such a waste of energy.

I understand. Some people are indoctrinated into the belief system. Some people need to believe that something is a cause of the ills in the world, and have chosen gays because they're an easy target. Same story with racism and most other forms of discrimination. Self-delusion is the breeding ground of both bigotry and conspiracy theories; it's why the two often go hand in hand.

 

[spartan231490]

I don't understand how people can think that gun control works. The gun laws passed in the UK, in Australia, in the US(federal, I haven't looked at every state) New York, California, Washington DC, and Chicago didn't have any impact on crime rates, not one. How can you believe in something with such an overwhelming record of failure?

Most guns used for crime or obtained illegally through black market sources. Also: Switzerland has more guns than friggin people and fuck all gun crime, and each and every gun is an "assault weapon".

Just thought I'd give you some other arguments, also the one I alwys use: there are far more effective ways to deal with crime than prohibition of firearms, such as education, mental healthcare, healthcare in general, happiness of the population, reducing feelings of unwantedness in children and adolescents (through care services, adoption services and indeed through ease of abortion of unwanted children).

I'm aware of those arguments, but I can understand disagreeing with an argument, it boggles my mind because people support gun control when it can be factually shown to be ineffective.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

On the bright side, if you're willing to admit that your repulsion is irrational and unnatural, that means you're on the road to being able to deal with it in a civil way. If you're not, well, then you have to potential to turn it into all kinds of nasty things down the road.

I don't think there is anything irrational or "unnatural" about my disire to avoid seeing gay men make out. It doesn't appeal to me and as a result, if I can avoid watching it, I will focus my attention on something else. That seems pretty rational.

Wind farms are no threat to birds however the effect they have on air pressure in the immediate vicinity causes the capillaries in bats lungs to burst and they drown as a result in their own blood, but otherwise now the do nothing but provide clean energy.

... o_0 Wow, I did not know that. I guess that is a pretty reasonable stance to take if there are bats in the area.

As somebody who has experienced a great deal of homophobia and bisexual-specific things that are similar, I feel the need to interject and simply state that if you dont want to watch two guys make out, then don't, but if you were to describe such a thing as "repulsive" or feel the need to interrupt and interject, that would be homophobic.

It defiantly isn't something I would watch if I had the choice, but no, I wouldn't run up to two men in a park and demand that they stop making out.

Oh and Brokeback Mountain is actually a pretty good movie, I'd recommend it. It's not exactly explicit or anything.

I'll take your word for it and watch parody videos of it [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAQ8J7vDy4E] instead.

 

[Rattja]

I don't get how someone can think having a child is a good idea, especially at an early age.

Take a good look around, do you really want more of us?
More people = more opinions = more conflict
As a race we are the most destructive thing on this planet, creating more don't seem like a good idea to me.

 

[The White Hunter]

On the bright side, if you're willing to admit that your repulsion is irrational and unnatural, that means you're on the road to being able to deal with it in a civil way. If you're not, well, then you have to potential to turn it into all kinds of nasty things down the road.

I don't think there is anything irrational or "unnatural" about my disire to avoid seeing gay men make out. It doesn't appeal to me and as a result, if I can avoid watching it, I will focus my attention on something else. That seems pretty rational.

Wind farms are no threat to birds however the effect they have on air pressure in the immediate vicinity causes the capillaries in bats lungs to burst and they drown as a result in their own blood, but otherwise now the do nothing but provide clean energy.

... o_0 Wow, I did not know that. I guess that is a pretty reasonable stance to take if there are bats in the area.

As somebody who has experienced a great deal of homophobia and bisexual-specific things that are similar, I feel the need to interject and simply state that if you dont want to watch two guys make out, then don't, but if you were to describe such a thing as "repulsive" or feel the need to interrupt and interject, that would be homophobic.

It defiantly isn't something I would watch if I had the choice, but no, I wouldn't run up to two men in a park and demand that they stop making out.

Oh and Brokeback Mountain is actually a pretty good movie, I'd recommend it. It's not exactly explicit or anything.

I'll take your word for it and watch parody videos of it [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAQ8J7vDy4E] instead.

Yeah the bat thing is pretty gruesome, doesnt happen to birds because the lungs are much harder, but small flying mammals are fucked. Well thats fine that you wouldn't go out of your way to watch to guys get off, thats not homophobia it's just a matter of personal comfort. If it's a public space don't worry and if it's private space you should expect any couple to go somewhere to themselves to do that, regardless of orientation.

 

[The White Hunter]

I don't understand how people can think that gun control works. The gun laws passed in the UK, in Australia, in the US(federal, I haven't looked at every state) New York, California, Washington DC, and Chicago didn't have any impact on crime rates, not one. How can you believe in something with such an overwhelming record of failure?

Most guns used for crime or obtained illegally through black market sources. Also: Switzerland has more guns than friggin people and fuck all gun crime, and each and every gun is an "assault weapon".

Just thought I'd give you some other arguments, also the one I alwys use: there are far more effective ways to deal with crime than prohibition of firearms, such as education, mental healthcare, healthcare in general, happiness of the population, reducing feelings of unwantedness in children and adolescents (through care services, adoption services and indeed through ease of abortion of unwanted children).

I'm aware of those arguments, but I can understand disagreeing with an argument, it boggles my mind because people support gun control when it can be factually shown to be ineffective.

Yes but you forget one very important thing: people don't care about facts and often get wrapped up in their symbolism.

 

[Froggy Slayer]

--snip--.

Wait, are you saying that you can't comprehend the instinctual desire of a species to procreate? Look, I don't particularly want kids either, but I get why most people do.

 

[Quaxar]

I personally don't understand the appeal of mind-altering and addictive substances but I guess that's just me.

That the game industry is the only industry that tries to tell someone that after they buy something it isnt their property
to sell or give to whomever they want and no one in an official or legal position has not called them out on this.

Actually that's not entirely true.
For around three-quarters of a million Ferrari will sell you a F1 car, complete with crew, truck and a former F1 driver as a coach. But they will keep the car, you have to phone them up and tell them where and when you want to use it. And you can't sell it unless Ferrari lets you.
Don't question me too much on the details though, I don't care much for cars I just watch Top Gear.

 

[Lynx]

Here are some of the opinions out there whose existence and use continuously and perpetually baffle me:

That abusing animals is ever anything short of disgusting.
That abusing family members is ever anything short of disgusting. (Kids, wife, husband, etc.)
That rape is ever anything short of disgusting.
That the Harry Potter books are anything short of brilliant.
That sushi is anything short of DELICIOUS.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

Well thats fine that you wouldn't go out of your way to watch to guys get off, thats not homophobia it's just a matter of personal comfort. If it's a public space don't worry and if it's private space you should expect any couple to go somewhere to themselves to do that, regardless of orientation.

Glad we agree.

Another sign of being a homophobe. The fact that you'd go out of your way to avoid encountering homosexual behavior is proof that it isn't merely a preference, but an active dislike for homosexuality.

Wait, "homosexual behavior"? I didn't say homosexual behavior, I said I don't like to see to men making out. Homosexual behavior could be anything from holding hands to hardcore sex, and the only thing I said I avoid looking at in public is two men making out(I would avoid any two people having sex in public, regardless of the sexual orientation). I could care less if two gay men want to hold hands.

To actively dislike the expressions of homosexual behavior is homophobia. To dislike a sexual orientation because it's not your own is irrational.

See my previous comment about holding hands versus making out.

But in any case, I'm pretty sure we've been through this argument before. You already know you're inventing non-standard interpretations for words like "homophobia" in order to avoid taking a critical look at your own beliefs and feelings. I can't make you engage in introspection and I'm not interested in trying. I think you will be a happier, healthier person when you start being willing to take a critical look at yourself, and until then I suggest we end this conversation.

No, the previous argument I have had with people is that I was always told that Homophobia was Ego-dystonic Sexual Orientation, not a hatred or dislike of homosexuality. In this argument I am using the term "homophobia" as a way to describe the hatred or dislike of homosexuality. The previous conversation and the present one are not the same. As for self analyzation, I have and I don't think I hate homosexuals just because I don't like to see two men making out given the fact that I don't mind if they hold hands.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

This is something I don't understand.

People who claim Global Warming is a "scam" obviously haven't actually taken a look at the data. With arctic ice core samples we are able to measure the relative amount of CO2 in the atmosphere over the past several millenia.

Right now there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than there has been in ten thousand years. How anyone can think that this isn't a problem is utterly beyond my comprehension.

There is plenty of CO2, some of it man-made. Is it an issue? Does it have impact? Most definitely. But our best efforts won't put a dent in those numbers. We should clean our tech and industry bits up, yes. But we won't be able to stop the sea level from rising, the temps from going bonkers and us from witnessing other rather random stuff that should be filed under nature/earth/the sun/evil universe just doing its stuff.

The question is: Does it really matter what we do or think about it? The sun is very obviously doing its thing like it just don't care. Earth itself is doing its thing. We're messing with things we don't even half understand and we make and fuck shit up as we go along. That's hardly a 10/10 performance in my books.

Oh, and then there's the bit of toxic solar panels, abandoning nuclear tech and 'bridging' the gap with pumping out way more CO2 than ever... doesn't add up. I get it that from where you're standing, it's the way to go. And that's another issue. A big issue. Our number one issue, really.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

Not to mention all those people who will oppose any kind of clean energy production such asz nuclear plants and wind farms whilst also being incredibly self righteous about the environment.

Yeah, fuck those guys.

Not sure if Sir Chasm,

but I agree on the soon to be man-made nuclear debacle bit.

Wind farms come with their own severe issues, such as totally going bonkers on the existing power network.

The folks labelling themselves 'green' around here have a jaw-breaking red core, and it shows. They want to 'protect' the environment, but just the other day they wanted us to agree on burning down half of a local forest so they could go live in the woods, in the cradle of nature. Or building roofs over our local highways. Or otherwise messing with anything that isn't messed up yet. They are living an utopia, and we all have to pay. Monetarily now and with everything we've got in the future to come.

 

[Vegosiux]

Most guns used for crime or obtained illegally through black market sources.

Well this is an opinion I don't get, or rather the insinuasion that "illegal" weapons are somehow a different breed of weapons, that are created and put in circulation completely separately from the "legal" ones.

If only it was that easy! Then you could simply raid the arms manufacturers who specialize in production of "illegal arms" and shut them down, and bam, no more "illegal" arms, problem solved.

 

[Happiness Assassin]

Most guns used for crime or obtained illegally through black market sources.

Well this is an opinion I don't get, or rather the insinuasion that "illegal" weapons are somehow a different breed of weapons, that are created and put in circulation completely separately from the "legal" ones.

If only it was that easy! Then you could simply raid the arms manufacturers who specialize in production of "illegal arms" and shut them down, and bam, no more "illegal" arms, problem solved.

Actually it just means that it is friends or family who purchase for those who can't. I remember reading a report that said that nearly 80% of all guns used in crimes are obtained from someone close to the criminal, such as a friend or family member.

OT: The Westboro baptist church's stance on homosexuality and their actions seem ridiculous to me. But then again I was raised on such horrible verses like "let he who has not sinned cast the first stone" and "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." They seem to take the Old Testament completely out of context and ignoring many of the lessons taught in the New Testament.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

Let's say there's a heterosexual romance drama show you are completely ambivalent about. Brokeback Mountain is on TV. Those are your only two choices, and you can't turn off the TV. Do you switch the channel from Brokeback to watch the heterosexual romance? If so, then yes, you're a little bit homophobic.

Hold that thought right there and shape it into a vanilla cinnamon cookie crumble.

You are really actually in fact saying that if people don't enjoy and do not wish to indulge in and treat themselves with a dose of gay porn, they are 'homophobic', as in fearful and dismissive of the gay lifestyle, or their own suppressed omnigay ways?

I know a lot of gays. None of them defines himself by who or what he wants to stick his wiener into. All of them are gay. I like and love them. We don't talk about anal sex a lot, though. It's just not one of my topics of choice and we tend to have more interesting, urging or pressing matters to discuss, and I like it like that.