Why are some "controversial" issues considered controversial at all?

[Pushed To The Left]

It boggles my mind sometimes what this country sees as controversial. It goes to show that America has a LONG way to go. Here are some examples:

Consensual sex between adults. I would think that most people with even one quarter of a brain would agree that the government should not be dictating what consenting adults do with eachother in the privacy of their own home. However, when the Supreme Court eliminated the archaic "sodomy laws" in 2003, you would have thought that they had legalized murder by the reaction of the right wing. The push to stack the Courts with right wing activist justices began, and unfortunately Bush delivered. OVER CONSENSUAL SEX BETWEEN ADULTS! That's considered controversial enough in America to justify wrecking the Judicial branch. Simply amazing.

Medical marijuana. I can respect those who may be apprehensive about decriminalizing all drugs, even though my belief is that all of it should be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one. However, how vicious does this country have to be to want to put a sick woman in prison for taking the medicine she needs? I applaud Bill Richardson for standing up for these people who are suffering both from illness and from a sick, twisted government who would rather let them suffer than go against the almighty drug war. But why is it considered a controversial stand to take by anybody with a heart and a brain? Hell, I even checked out a RW website, and lots of them actually support medical marijuana! Only the most heartless voters and politicians see this as controversial, yet it is considered "risky" for a politician to take a stand. It's controversial in America to LET A DYING WOMAN take her MEDICINE! What is wrong with this country?? I seriously think there should be some international and/or UN pressure on the whole Angel Raich medical marijuana situation, because that is a flagrant abuse of human rights that should not be tolerated.

Gay rights. Yes, giving a minority group equal rights is controversial in what's supposed to be a free country. Letting gay people openly serve in the military is considered controversial! So much for "supporting the troops". I guess who somebody sleeps with is more important than that person's willingness to put his or her life on the line to protect the country. And if a politician dares support letting gay people marry? It's considered political suicide. Giving all people equal treatment under the law is considered controversial enough to be political suicide. This country seriously needs help.

Hate crime legislation. Yes,those people that are supposed to be "tough on crime" become bleeding hearts when it comes to those who beat and murder people because of how they are born. "It's a thought crime!" they say. Bullshit. A thought crime would be if you were arrested for sitting around thinking bad thoughts about minority groups. It's a special circumstance. Is it a "thought crime" to give somebody extra time for laying in wait? or if the motive is robbery? Yet, if it protects unpopular minority groups, it's controversial! By the way, hate crimes protect all people. A Halloween attack on several white women by black youths was treated as a hate crime recently. Interestingly enough, I didn't hear anybody whining about it being a "thought crime" in that case! What makes me sick is how some "Christian" groups are against hate crime laws. How sick can you get? (Many good Christians can't stand these idiotic groups!) So, in America, it's controversial to treat a racially-motivated or sexual-orientation-motivated crime as a hate crime. Absolutely insane!

We are slowly making progress in this country, but we have so much further to go if these issues are still this controversial in 2007.

[Demeter]

1. Sex Is Immoral In Some People's Eyes

There are poor souls so twisted and corrupt that any natural function offends them (except violence, for some reason that's acceptable).

There are those who have trouble with sex even for procreation.

[AuntPatsy]

2. Because the media declares it to be true and far too many

people have a problem honestly taking time to think things out for themselves and rely on bald faced outrageous reporting to be the beginning and the end of most issues...

I agree with you, obviously far too many human beings continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over again, I can only assume its from an inability to take time to fully research certain issues that they hear about from the media....

[madeline_con]

10. The "Gay Agenda" is a perfect example.

I have actually been dumb enough to waste my time arguing with people who HONESTLY BELIEVE that gays want civil rights so they can ...:eyes: rent billboards depicting gay sex and "recruit" young people.

Oh, and I almost forgot. So they can have sex in their hot tubs and to hell with whomever may be able to see them.

I kid you not. :rofl:

[Arkansas Granny]

3. Excellent points. K & R.

[Chemical Bill]

4. Exactly. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

5. I don't understand why you're suprised. Not been in this country long?

[Robbien]

6. Because they need to make sure the people are busy debating

the social issues

while they rob the country blind and make away with all the assets. The rich get richer while the rest of us suckers fight amongst ourselves.

[KG]

7. this is an adolescent nation, filled with children.

[intheflow]

8. I'd love to hear a politician talk that way.

K&R :kick:

[w4rma]

9. Corporatists need wedge issues. Corporatists own big media therefore can amplify them. (nt)

[kdpeters]

11. It burns me to no end that simple equal treatment is an extreme position for gay folk

But compromising my dignity with homophobia is supposed to be moderate, centrist, and therefore, right. Like the varying degrees of equality among the animals in "Animal Farm", some Democrats seem to think it enough to treat us less unequal than the Republicans treat us. I'll take what I can get, but don't expect me to be grateful.