Posted on 06/02/2012 9:22:19 AM PDT by ReformationFan
It is time for conservatives to reclaim and rehabilitate the word "discriminate," particularly when it comes to homosexual behavior.
The left has twisted this word to create the utterly false impression that discrimination of any kind at any time for any reason is by definition wrong and immoral.
Of course, leftists are oblivious to the reality that they, these self-described paragons of tolerance, routinely discriminate against people of Christian faith, by refusing them permission to pray in public, by fining them for declining to photograph lesbian commitment ceremonies, by throwing them out of graduate programs in counseling, or by suing them in court if they won't rent their facilities to same-sex couples. So their blindingly hypocritical mantra quite simply is "discrimination for me but not for thee."
The truth is that public policy is about nothing other than discrimination. This is all it is about, all it can be about, and all it should be about.
According to Webster's, the verb "discriminate" is from a Latin word meaning to "distinguish between." It means to "differentiate," to "distinguish by discerning or exposing differences," "to make a distinction" or "to use good judgment."
This is what public policy is all about: using good judgment to distinguish those behaviors that are worthy of public approval from those behaviors which ought to receive public disapproval.
Public policy is about discriminating against behaviors that are socially destructive and corrosive to the social fabric.So, we rightly discriminate against people who rip off convenience stores, burgle houses, drive while drunk, eat the faces off homeless people, gun down servicemen on military bases, embezzle funds from employers or clients, or beat their wives.
This discrimination is based, you will note, on behavior. Public policy is not a concern until an individual acts. As Thomas Jefferson said,
(Excerpt) Read more at renewamerica.com ...
Discriminating the verb, is a bad thing, possibly the worst thing in the world.
Being discriminating, the adverb, is a good thing.
I say we also take back the word “gay.” Fifty years ago, Hollywood theme-song-writers told us that when we’re with the Flintstones, we’ll have a gay old time. And what about making the yuletide gay? I want it back!
Verb
to be aware of differences: to pay attention to subtle differences and exercise judgment and taste
I attended a Christmas concert at a school last year, in which the kids sang a jazzed up version of “Deck The Halls”. And the line about “gay apparel” was taken out. Perhaps they didn’t want the kids to say “gay”?
We reached a point with the word “gay” in which it’s no longer a double meaning word. Now the word “gay” means only homosexual. It is never used in the dictionary definition anymore.
I recently found an old clip of the 1967 All Star game on You Tube. The announcer said it was a “gay festive” atmosphere in Anaheim for the All Star game. They would never say that today.
That those involved in the two prongs of a Leftist assault on traditional values & cultural norms have gotten away with this blatant misuse of what was always a respected concept--i.e., to be discriminating--shows how far we have been herded into a conditioned mindset.
No one--that is no one who is not an agitator or demagogue--actually benefits from this. Every freedom you or I retain, is a right to discriminate; to make our choices, rather than choices dictated by an overreaching Government. You discriminate when you buy one product, rather than another; when you choose whom to marry, where to worship, where to live--whether to have a drink with a particular friend.
"Discrimination" is not, and never was, the same thing as doing a mean spirited or hateful thing to another person. But it is absurd to let the Leftists equate simple preferences, in minding one's own business or associations, with anything mean spirited or hateful.
William Flax
You are quite correct.
Except that “discrimination” as such is not considered wrong, only discrimination against certain persons and groups.
Discrimination against certain people and groups (Christians, straights, “racists,” conservatives) is right and proper.
I will be specific. Some of the provisions of the so-called "Civil Rights Laws" violate First Amendment Rights. (See, for further discussion, "Civil Rights" vs. A Free Society. For a discussion of how the ACLU has distorted the First Amendment, see Leftist Word Games & Religious Freedom.)
William Flax
I assume the last line is “tongue in cheek,” although that clearly is the mindset in much of the mass media.
Righto.
Gay Dan's Hotdogs!
The first Gay Dan’s Restaurant opened in 1950 at the corner of 14th and Illinois in downtown Indianapolis. It was called Gay Dan’s after the Gay 1890’s carnival wagons that moved from town to town. The name was changed to Mr. Dan’s in 1970. The word was stolen in the late 1960's, forcing this business to change it's name after 20 years!
I agree completely. It used to be a compliment to call someone a person of "discriminating" taste. The opposite is IN-discriminate, meaning all-encompassing, obtuse, and unselective.
One used to think of “gay” in terms of the sort of gayety that pretty young girls, in their time of being courted, displayed at parties & festive situations. The present misuse of the term is really rather offensive.
And I want rainbows back!
Whew ... for a minute I thought you were talking about homo day at Disneyland.
How about the word tolerance? It is being used to mean not just acceptance but approval, which it does not mean. It’s more like putting up with something that one dislikes or finds irritating. It’s not about acceptance or approval.
I’ve noticed over the last several years that dictionaries no longer give accurate or descriptive definitions of words. In many current dictionaries you will find the following:
tolerant: to display tolerance
tolerance: the act of being tolerant
What the UH? Such definitions don’t explain what the words mean. I noticed this a few years ago and broke out an old dictionary from 1971 and found the word explained much better. Crazy-makers, that what those in power are.
Indeed. That story reminds me of something that happened in my town. There was a Ford dealership where the manager called himself “David O.J. Simpson” for many years. Then in the mid-1990s he had to drop the “O.J.” for obvious business reasons. I’m sure he hated that.
Agreed. Which is exactly what the left wants the sheeple to be: indiscriminate, obtuse and unselective(except for when pushing the D button at the voting booth).
How about the word tolerance? It is being used to mean not just acceptance but approval,
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Tolerance used to mean to allow, but not approve.
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