CPAC "wonder boy" now rejecting conservatism?

[rsc2a]

Good. You didn't need to get prickly about the questions.

It's not the questions I necessarily have a problem with. It's the thought that one can measure how "Christian" one is by how they answer those two topics (or any topics, really). And it's nearly always those two topics among conservatives. Christian thinking influences a lot more than abortion and gay marriage.

You are too quick to make assumptions and are too prickly. Have I suggested I am more Christian? Nope.

You missed the emphasis...it is the fact that those two topics have become the litmus test for conservatives. Someone could be to the right of Barry Goldwater on every issue but those and, if they answered wrong on those two issues, many conservatives would label that person a raging liberal.

[quote author=FSSL]I am just interested to know how liberal redgreen is... aren't you?[/quote]

Not really. I'd rather weigh his arguments on their merits instead of awarding/deducting points based on which box I stick him in. The "box" I will categorically shove him in will (hopefully) not be on the basis of one or two narrowly defined topics but the aggregate of what he says about a large variety of issues including those two.

Aside: If he answered "it should be up to the States", it wouldn't tell you anything about how liberal or conservative he is personally.

 

[Izdaari]

[quote author=FSSL]Where is redgreen on abortion?
Where is redgreen on gay marriage?

I'm not one to categorize individuals on one or two issues, even though I do consider some issues to be weightier than others. In addition, the answers always aren't black and white, but frequently shades of grey, and people can have very solid reasons for landing on a position where I would completely disagree with their final conclusion.
[/quote]

FWIW:

I am for gays being able to marry.

I'm a mugwump on abortion, always looking for a compromise that will satisfy everyone. There isn't one of course, but I keep trying.

I'm for legalizing drugs. No, not even legalizing, as in taxing and regulating. Re-legalizing them, i.e., simply repealing the laws against them.

And yes, I am to the right of Barry Goldwater on most other issues. Come to think of it, Goldwater might well have agreed with me on those three. He really was more libertarian than conservative.

 

[FSSL]

You missed the emphasis...it is the fact that those two topics have become the litmus test for conservatives.

Since I asked the questions, I am fully aware of my reasons for asking. You call it a litmus test... I call it a starting point.

Not really. I'd rather weigh his arguments on their merits...

You don't even know his positions on those topics, yet you are defensive and judgmental of me. Why do you assume that I will not weigh arguments? Tell us how you intend to weigh the merits of his position when you are afraid to know his position in the first place.

The irony here is that your fear of putting people in a box has you putting me in a box.

 

[Ransom]

Big deal. I don't believe the liberal garbage I believed when I was 20, let alone 13.

 

[redgreen5]

[quote author=clueless and divided]
Coming from the "person" that's "stuck in the mud" of liberalism.....
[/quote]

Nobody stuck here.  I understand why I believe everything which I believe.
That's one of the reasons you keep getting your butt whipped.

 

[redgreen5]

[quote author=AresMan]No, I suggested that he may have "dumped his conservative views" because they may have been shallow tradition from parents who can't really defend them in a scholarly fashion.
[/quote]

Ah, OK.  I didn't understand your comment, then. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[redgreen5]

[quote author=FSSL]
Because I asked.[/quote]

Ah, well that settles it, then.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
FSSL has asked a question. Drop whatever you're doing and rush off a response, because His Lordship FSSL must be obeyed.

Look, FSSL:
I appreciate your work in keeping Avery & Friends in line.  You do excellent exegesis and your responses are a pleasure to read.  But don't expect other people to respond just because you ask a question.  Nobody here is obligated to jump just because you barked.

 

[FSSL]

An answer from you is not obligatory. However, I will retain the right to ask.

 

[FSSL]

Look, FSSL:
I appreciate your work in keeping Avery & Friends in line.  You do excellent exegesis and your responses are a pleasure to read.

Thanks