Replies

On your first point, I meant to imply that keep my remarks on this issue at FR as neutral & abstract as possible, in order to avoid personalizing them with my own sentiments. Whatever deeper motivations one may ascribe to my remarks (as has happened on a number of occasions) appear to arise from my avoidance of such qualifications. What is to me an intellectual exercise appears less of one in the remarks of some others, and to whatever extent my stated positions conflict with their own (which has been considerable) a number have inferred motivations which are based more on their perceptions than on anything I've stated.

On your second point, I understand the term "homophobia" as describing an aversion to gays, and "homophobic" as describing one who expresses aversion to gays. What alternative should I substitute? I certainly haven't called anyone else a homophobe since I'm well-aware that many find that offensive. I generally call people by whatever they wish to be called by, just the same as I make a point of calling them gays rather than homosexuals. If they wanted me to call them queers or faggots or even uranians then I would do that as well... I don't go out of my way to insult people unless they're clearly determined to drive me to that....

What is to me an intellectual exercise appears less of one in the remarks of some others, and to whatever extent my stated positions conflict with their own (which has been considerable) a number have inferred motivations which are based more on their perceptions than on anything I've stated.

My perception is that you took up the cause of the gay guy despite the facts and strong language was required for you to begin to notice your personal bias. Its obvious to me reading this you took your posistion first and then looked for support not the reverse that an "intellectual excercise" requires. I did the same bias jump when I took the side of the same man because of his service to the military.

It is helpfull to know our personal biases in issues so we don't make the mistake of looking at things logically.