[Vision2020] RE: Reader's Opinion - Stable marriages, even gay ones, are what so

[TIM RIGSBY]

Phil,

Thank you for posing a wonderful question about my use of words.  I 
appreciate your comments on people taking progressive stances and your 
comments on the basis of an economic conservative/libertarian position on 
marriage.

To address your question, I commented on Father Faucher taking a progressive 
stance based upon a couple things.  First, my observation of Father Faucher 
over the years has demonstrated to me to be a fairly proactive, forward 
thinking, liberal, progressive, priest in the Catholic church.  With this in 
mind, Father Faucher has traditionally gone out on a limb and spoke out for 
things that in my opinion are progressive or that favor an idea of better 
conditions for all.  With that in mind, he has also taken stances on topics 
that traditional Roman Catholicism has felt to be immoral or wrong for 
society.  The stance that Father Faucher has taken numerous times on these 
issues is often in direct competition of the group that he represents.

Your comment on libertarian beliefs is similar to how I would view a 
libertarians stance on this very topic.  When I think of someone taking a 
progressive stance on a specific topic, I think of two or more political 
ideologies possibly agreeing on something that betters society as a whole.  
There can be a conflict I guess when libertarian ideologies are teamed with 
liberal ideologies given that a libertarian traditionally has advocated for 
individual rights rather than a liberal who often likes the idea of larger 
government and more control.  In the end though, I think that a libertarian 
and a liberal individual could agree on many things progressive, especially 
when discussing the specific marriage bill posed for vote in Idaho in 
November.

In my opinion, a libertarian and a liberal individual could possibly propose 
and pass several bills in the legislature and be somewhat successful.  Well 
not the Idaho legislature though given the current rapid spread of red state 
disease.

I support Father Faucher's stance on marriage and wish more people would 
take this stance as well.  To me, a marriage is a marriage as long as both 
parties are happy, healthy, and successfully cohabitating with the normal 
problems any relationship faces.

In my opinion, this marriage amendment is based upon the almighty dollar.  
Business and insurance companies do not want to pay for someone's health 
insurance coverage unless they absolutely have to.  By passing this 
amendment, business interests will not even have to consider paying health 
costs for homosexual relationships.

I hope I have answered your question.  If not feel free to email me off list 
and we can discuss in more detail.  It was good to receive an email from you 
again.  Enjoy Moscow for me and drink a couple beers on my behalf at John's 
Alley.

Tim
"In sport, we have moved away from honorable behavior." - Dr. Sharon Stoll, 
University of Idaho

"Revolution is not a word but an application; it is not war but peace; it 
does not weaken, but strengthens. Revolution does not cause separation; it 
generates togetherness." -John Africa, Strategic Revolution




>From: "Phil Nisbet" <pcnisbet1 at hotmail.com>
>To: tim.rigsby at hotmail.com, vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Reader's Opinion - Stable marriages, even gay 
>ones, are what society needs
>Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 07:44:35 -0800
>
>Tim
>
>While I agree that uniform marriage code is needed for the sake of a just 
>society, I did have a question.
>
>Why is it that you think that a stance taken here is a 'progressive one?  
>Did you consider that one heck of a lot of libertarian folks who are on the 
>economic right are more likely to support uniform marriage law than many on 
>the economic left?
>
>Take the example of Blacks.  The majority view of our African American 
>community is decidedly 'progressive' and tends to vote that way as a block, 
>but the same group is decidedly against gay marriage by much wider margins 
>than is common in the GOP.
>
>Instead of framing this as a progressive battle plan, have you considered 
>that if it is framed as a matter of individual rather than societal rights, 
>a more economic conservative/libertarian stance, there is a far better 
>chance that full civil rights will be extended?
>
>Phil Nisbet
>
>
>>From: "The Idaho Statesman" <contact at idahostatesman.com>
>>Reply-To: tim.rigsby at hotmail.com
>>To: vision2020 at moscow.com
>>Subject: [Vision2020] Reader's Opinion - Stable marriages, even gay ones, 
>>are what society needs
>>Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 08:16:42 -0500
>>
>>You have been sent the following article from Tim Rigsby as a courtesy of 
>>The Idaho Statesman.
>>
>>"Reader's Opinion - Stable marriages, even gay ones, are what society 
>>needs"
>>
>>To view this article on The Idaho Statesman website, go to:
>>http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006602250314
>>
>>The following is a short message from Tim Rigsby:
>>I agree with about 99% of what Father Foucher has to say here.  A very 
>>progressive stance for a Catholic priest.
>>
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>
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