I read John Yelton's letter to Mountain Xpress regarding Mayor Terry Bellamy's vote on same-sex domestic-partner benefits and became quite intrigued by the logic behind his comments. I have to agree that in 100, 50 or even 20 years, this will be a non-issue, but that doesn't necessarily bode well for society as a whole.
Claiming Mayor Bellamy's vote is "immoral" was far and away the most intriguing statement made by Yelton. You see, I wonder what morality is today. There are few determining factors anymore to give us moral guidance. What Yelton considers moral or immoral does not necessarily stack up with the opinions of other people: One man's meat is another man's poison.
You see, morality has become very subjective in our postmodern world. We no longer have any benchmark left in society to base moral issues on, and we are left with people's varied opinions. I would love to know what benchmark Yelton uses in determining Bellamy's morals.
You see, Bellamy's actions have probably found great support from many people within the Asheville community. Certainly, central Asheville is made up of a very liberal and eclectic mix of people; however, greater Asheville, where the bulk of the population resides, is somewhat more conservative. It seems that their opinions are of little importance to Yelton.
Thirty-one states have voted against the issue of gay marriage, and six have forced legislation through the courts. It is a sad day when the opinion of the masses is railroaded by liberal bigots. It seems this liberal bigotry is alive and kicking in the Asheville community. I am thankful that we have a mayor who has the courage to stand by her convictions and not be bullied and harangued into making decisions that fail to address the concerns of the entire population.
As I stated above, Yelton is probably correct: In 100, 50 or even 20 years, this will be a non-issue. I dread to see how far society's morals will have slid to by then and the sort of anarchic world we have produced.
— Shaun Duncan
Fairview
There is a long history of moral/ethical thought, both religious and secular. Never has there been a consensus on what is right and what is wrong, despite what the author of the letter is insinuating. We write letters and otherwise participate in dialog to at least understand and/or convince one another or, just maybe, to find some common ground. There has never been a magical “benchmark.” Almost any thoughtful person has their own set of ethics based on certain principles, and they use knowledge and logic and belief to make specific decisions about how to act. No ethical system is going to give you, the individual, all the answers in plain dicta.
So, we talk. And maybe we listen. The world is a big, complex place.
The bottom line is a HUMAN RIGHTS issue.
The US Constitution does not differentiate between race, sex, etc. only referring to its’ (the US) citizens … why would it be “respectful of the community’s conservatives” to deny any one (or many) something that is freely given to others without question as to their “morality” (perceived or not).
Why wouldn’t the “community conservatives” be equally as interested in the moral compass of the heterosexuals (City employees) whose partners receive benefits from the City?
Should the wife of a “cheater” be denied insurance because of his sexual perversions?
Since when is a comitted stable relationship immoral?
The opinion of the masses is highly overrated dear, after all, if not for the liberal minority, you southern fools would still be segregating our black brethren. In fact, I dare say some form of slavery would still be allowed. One need only to witness the actions of our “tea party brown-shirts” to realize the south is not as far removed from the “grand ol days” of lynch mobs and slave auctions as they would have you think. Yes, once again we (Liberals, with the help of the federal government and the forces of good) will have to force you southern bigots to act like humans. God Bless Amerika and pray for peace!
Boy dhalgren, harboring any ill feelings about something? How come California votes it down even harder when the masses vote? What names are you going to call them?
Like I said, the opinion of the masses is highly overrated deary JWTjr. How could any thinking, feeling, intelligent human being not harbor any ill feelings towards the last bastion of ignorance in this country, namely “the ol south”. Populated by women haters, race baiters, and closeted homosexuals (homophobes), the south continues to rise again like filth in a toilet bowl.
Pray For Peace
Not to mention that the south kept bush and his gang of criminals in office for eight years- bringing the country to the brink of disaster.
Answer my question about California and every other state that’s voted 70/30 … which is all of them who have voted.
btw – I’m for gay marriage. Saying the south is different than the rest of the country on this issue is wrong.
Sweetie, I never said the south was different on this issue! I said ” the opinion of the masses is highly overrated”. Bless your little heart for defending your homeland (god knows it needs it!)
You must meet Entopticon. You would love him.
Is he manly and forceful with his opinions, or merely intellectually superior to you jwtjr?
gay sex will destroy democracy. which is good, because we’re a constitutional republic.
Always amusing when I find Jr or one of the other right wing trolls trying to smear me on a thread that I hadn’t even commented on.
The only thing funnier than Shaun Duncan’s cartoonishly inept stab at couching moral relativism in postmodern critical theory is the absurdly ham-fisted logic behind his mob rules apologia for discrimination. If we listened to people like him, the Civil Rights Act never would have passed.
According to his ridiculous reasoning, liberals are bigots for criticizing bigotry. Sorry, doesn’t cut it. Bellamy’s unconscionable bigotry on this issue has been inexcusable, and she must be replaced.
I’m a funny guy.
The huge irony here is that by far the most important benefits are the abortion and contraception coverage, and gays don’t need them nearly as often as heterosexuals.