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Post by ~Zoey~ on Mar 4, 2015 13:34:49 GMT
My office has CNN on and they talked about this just a few minutes ago. Ben Carson says homosexuality is a choice because many people "go into prison straight -- and when they come out, they're gay." I wish I could say I was flabbergasted, but unfortunately, there are far too many that still think like that.
Ben Carson Interview
Washington (CNN)Ben Carson says homosexuality is a choice because many people "go into prison straight -- and when they come out, they're gay."
The neurosurgeon and potential Republican candidate for president in 2016 made the comment in an interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo that aired Wednesday on "New Day."
Asked whether being gay is a choice, Carson responded: "Absolutely."
"Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight -- and when they come out, they're gay. So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question," Carson said.
That argument, Carson said, "thwarts" the notion that homosexuality isn't a choice, which is at odds with the majority of the medical community, including the American Psychological Association, who says "most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation." Slate's Mark Joseph Stern also outlined the scientific arguments against this particular belief last year.
Carson also said he believes the issue of allowing or restricting same-sex marriage should be decided on the state level, rather than by federal courts -- even as the Supreme Court prepares to take up a case this spring that could legalize gay marriage nationwide.
He said it's possible to grant the legal rights that accompany marriage to same-sex couples -- or to any two people at all -- without applying the word "marriage" to their relationships.
"Why do gay people want to get married? Why do they say they want to get married? Because they want to have various rights -- property rights, visitation rights," he said. "Why can't any two human beings, I don't care what their sexual orientation is, why can't they have the legal right to do those things? That does not require changing the definition of marriage."
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Mar 4, 2015 14:07:06 GMT
Given how many stupid comments I've read/heard over my lifetime it's surprising that that level of ignorance still shocks me. Yet, there it is.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 12:44:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2015 14:23:04 GMT
Can someone find me an emoji of a middle finger, please? I am on a treadmill and searching is difficult right now. Thanks. Ok I am home now. He may be a brilliant surgeon. He is also an ass.
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Post by brina on Mar 4, 2015 14:38:32 GMT
brillant surgeon - but I can't agree with him on this topic at all
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Post by librarylady on Mar 4, 2015 14:44:38 GMT
I disagree with his conclusion. In the book Orange is the new Black, she used a phrase, "Gay for the Stay"-=meaning that some of the females were gay during their stay in prison but not once they were back out in society. I have heard that some people participate in gay sex while in confinement, just for human contact and a feeling of intimacy. I have not been in prison, so I have no idea.
I do not believe a person can permanently change the sexual desires with which that the person was born.
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Post by MorellisCupcake on Mar 4, 2015 14:55:23 GMT
I disagree with his conclusion. In the book Orange is the new Black, she used a phrase, "Gay for the Stay"-=meaning that some of the females were gay during their stay in prison but not once they were back out in society. I have heard that some people participate in gay sex while in confinement, just for human contact and a feeling of intimacy. I have not been in prison, so I have no idea. I do not believe a person can permanently change the sexual desires with which that the person was born. That's what I was going to say. I think it's circumstantial. Choice, please. Every time I start to have hope for humanity, someone supposedly educated says something like this. Absolutely ridiculous.
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~Susan~
Pearl Clutcher
You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
Posts: 3,258
Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on Mar 4, 2015 15:45:33 GMT
That is just ludacris!!!!
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Mar 4, 2015 20:37:46 GMT
I disagree with his conclusion. In the book Orange is the new Black, she used a phrase, "Gay for the Stay"-=meaning that some of the females were gay during their stay in prison but not once they were back out in society. I have heard that some people participate in gay sex while in confinement, just for human contact and a feeling of intimacy. I have not been in prison, so I have no idea. I do not believe a person can permanently change the sexual desires with which that the person was born. We learned about this in a psychology course I was taking. Most humans need intimate contact. If they are incarcerated long enough they will seek that intimate contact from the same sex without being gay.
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caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
Posts: 5,222
Jun 26, 2014 14:10:36 GMT
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Post by caro on Mar 4, 2015 20:43:45 GMT
Seriously, what do you expect from him? All of my ultra conservative friends love him. I hope Jeb Bush runs. If he does and IIF I like his platform, this democrat may vote for him.
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Post by SabrinaM on Mar 4, 2015 20:55:42 GMT
I do not agree with him on this.
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ingrid
Full Member
Posts: 490
Jun 26, 2014 0:52:41 GMT
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Post by ingrid on Mar 4, 2015 21:03:48 GMT
Using the prison population to support a sweeping generalization about gay people. Awesome.
I think this will be the year my husband and I renounce our affiliation with the Republican Party, which we've been registered with since we were old enough to vote. Not just because of this, it's been a long time coming.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 12:44:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2015 21:34:18 GMT
SMH
I had hoped for a little better from him.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Mar 4, 2015 21:34:33 GMT
Yep. When my son went into prison at age five, he was totally straight. When he came out at age six, he told me he had crushes on boys. Damn the prison system for making my boy gay!!!
In other words, what an imbecile.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,646
Location: Kansas City -ish
Jun 27, 2014 2:38:58 GMT
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Post by Anita on Mar 4, 2015 21:36:19 GMT
Being an idiot is a choice for Ben Carson.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,539
Jul 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
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Post by MerryMom on Mar 4, 2015 21:37:48 GMT
What is interesting is how the fiscal conservatives trot him out as the standard bearer for a possible presidential run.
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loco coco
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,662
Jun 26, 2014 16:15:45 GMT
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Post by loco coco on Mar 4, 2015 21:43:21 GMT
smart man who has said some really dumb shit lately
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,618
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Mar 4, 2015 22:16:29 GMT
Well, he'll never win a race with that one. Too many fiscal conservatives are socially liberal on this issue.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on Mar 4, 2015 22:25:50 GMT
SMH I had hoped for a little better from him. Me too. My dd really admires him after reading his autobiography about becoming a surgeon. I'm sure this type of thing is going to be hard for her to deal with. It's always hard to learn about the dimensions of people and how sometimes while we might really admire one thing about them, the overall isn't so great. This is unfortunate and something I would not expect from an MD.
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Post by epeanymous on Mar 4, 2015 22:36:44 GMT
SMH I had hoped for a little better from him. Me too. My dd really admires him after reading his autobiography about becoming a surgeon. I'm sure this type of thing is going to be hard for her to deal with. It's always hard to learn about the dimensions of people and how sometimes while we might really admire one thing about them, the overall isn't so great. This is unfortunate and something I would not expect from an MD. But it is something you might expect from an MD testing the waters for a presidential run. It is hard to get the Republican nomination as a pure fiscal conservative. Many socially moderate or socially liberal candidates have tacked to the right when they begin a national run. I am not saying that necessarily is what is happening here, but I wonder if it is more of a "let me issue a conservative view* on this issue" than "I have reviewed the literature and this is what I conclude." *I am not saying that social conservatives all think being gay is a choice, or that people on the left all think it is inborn, but "being gay is a choice" is an argument generally used to support policies that are either discriminatory against or not protective of people who are gay.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 12:44:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2015 22:38:58 GMT
SMH I had hoped for a little better from him. Me too. My dd really admires him after reading his autobiography about becoming a surgeon. I'm sure this type of thing is going to be hard for her to deal with. It's always hard to learn about the dimensions of people and how sometimes while we might really admire one thing about them, the overall isn't so great. This is unfortunate and something I would not expect from an MD. ITA. I had really admired his story, and had high hopes for him to be a palatable R candidate that I could finally get behind. It's incredibly disappointing to see him take this stance.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,618
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Mar 4, 2015 22:38:55 GMT
Me too. My dd really admires him after reading his autobiography about becoming a surgeon. I'm sure this type of thing is going to be hard for her to deal with. It's always hard to learn about the dimensions of people and how sometimes while we might really admire one thing about them, the overall isn't so great. This is unfortunate and something I would not expect from an MD. But it is something you might expect from an MD testing the waters for a presidential run. It is hard to get the Republican nomination as a pure fiscal conservative. Many socially moderate or socially liberal candidates have tacked to the right when they begin a national run. I am not saying that necessarily is what is happening here, but I wonder if it is more of a "let me issue a conservative view* on this issue" than "I have reviewed the literature and this is what I conclude." *I am not saying that social conservatives all think being gay is a choice, or that people on the left all think it is inborn, but "being gay is a choice" is an argument generally used to support policies that are either discriminatory against or not protective of people who are gay. He'd be better off with abortion than homosexuality. Even many conservative Christians know that it's not a choice. I don't think this is an idea that will garner support among likely voters.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 12:44:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2015 22:40:20 GMT
Me too. My dd really admires him after reading his autobiography about becoming a surgeon. I'm sure this type of thing is going to be hard for her to deal with. It's always hard to learn about the dimensions of people and how sometimes while we might really admire one thing about them, the overall isn't so great. This is unfortunate and something I would not expect from an MD. But it is something you might expect from an MD testing the waters for a presidential run. It is hard to get the Republican nomination as a pure fiscal conservative. Many socially moderate or socially liberal candidates have tacked to the right when they begin a national run. I am not saying that necessarily is what is happening here, but I wonder if it is more of a "let me issue a conservative view* on this issue" than "I have reviewed the literature and this is what I conclude." *I am not saying that social conservatives all think being gay is a choice, or that people on the left all think it is inborn, but "being gay is a choice" is an argument generally used to support policies that are either discriminatory against or not protective of people who are gay. I'm not sure what would be worse. That he really believes this, or that he's pandering. Either way, it's incredibly disappointing.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
Jun 26, 2014 20:10:29 GMT
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Post by raindancer on Mar 4, 2015 22:42:22 GMT
But it is something you might expect from an MD testing the waters for a presidential run. It is hard to get the Republican nomination as a pure fiscal conservative. Many socially moderate or socially liberal candidates have tacked to the right when they begin a national run. I am not saying that necessarily is what is happening here, but I wonder if it is more of a "let me issue a conservative view* on this issue" than "I have reviewed the literature and this is what I conclude." *I am not saying that social conservatives all think being gay is a choice, or that people on the left all think it is inborn, but "being gay is a choice" is an argument generally used to support policies that are either discriminatory against or not protective of people who are gay. He'd be better off with abortion than homosexuality. Even many conservative Christians know that it's not a choice. I don't think this is an idea that will garner support among likely voters. I agree. I will not support the Republican party until/unless they stop worrying so much about sex and gender. It's really disturbing to me how consumed that party is with this topic all.the.time. in all aspects. It can't be healthy. It also makes me curious to know how Dr. Carmona feels as a democrat and his friend. I'm just nosy of course...
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Post by gypsymama on Mar 4, 2015 22:50:34 GMT
i watched the interview with chris cuomo this morning and just sat there stunned... that anyone, in this day and age, really thinks that... livng in texas i should be well aware, but it was just... wow
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Post by blondiec47 on Mar 4, 2015 22:53:05 GMT
Seriously, what do you expect from him? All of my ultra conservative friends love him. I hope Jeb Bush runs. If he does and IIF I like his platform, this democrat may vote for him. He'll never make it through the primaries. I will never vote for a Bush
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,618
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Mar 4, 2015 22:53:11 GMT
He'd be better off with abortion than homosexuality. Even many conservative Christians know that it's not a choice. I don't think this is an idea that will garner support among likely voters. I agree. I will not support the Republican party until/unless they stop worrying so much about sex and gender. It's really disturbing to me how consumed that party is with this topic all.the.time. in all aspects. It can't be healthy. It also makes me curious to know how Dr. Carmona feels as a democrat and his friend. I'm just nosy of course... My dh is an Independent who leans (tilts pretty darn far) conservative when it comes to fiscal issues. He also has two gay siblings. He would never, EVER, vote for someone with views like that about homosexuality.
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Post by blondiec47 on Mar 4, 2015 22:54:35 GMT
With the country in the mess it is in, this issue is not even in my top ten. Let everyone get married and then get over it.
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Post by hop2 on Mar 4, 2015 22:58:32 GMT
I guess someone could see it as a 'choice', if your bisexual or or pansexual. For multitudes of people it's not a choice.
I gotta go with your born that way.
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Post by elaine on Mar 4, 2015 23:07:16 GMT
I predict that there will be a sizable portion of GOP members, some even on this board, that will say "well, I don't agree with him on this issue, but I like his stance on X, Y, or Z, so I'm voting for him because of that."
Sadly, If he said something that was something clearly racist, that argument wouldn't float for many, but homophobia still gets a pass by many, even if they don't agree with it.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Mar 5, 2015 0:01:32 GMT
I saw that on tv this morning.
Ignorance, no matter how well educated a man is, can rear its ugly head.
Though, truly, in this day and age, I can't believe anyone says that kind of crap without a whole lot of hate in them.
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