... And now Ben supports SSM

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Excellent!

No you oppose SSM and only support civil unions, remember?

[afleitch]

Excellent!

No you oppose SSM and only support civil unions, remember?

Fair point.

I wonder how long some of our posters will hold out and why.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

No you oppose SSM and only support civil unions, remember?

Nope, not anymore.  It's just not reasonable.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I think Ben's the only notable poster with that position, for no reason than that it best fit his devotion to Moderate Heroism.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I love that you guys are so entertained by discussing a position that I don't even hold.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Not marriage, no.  Civil unions, but not marriage.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Remarkably, my views can change in 3 years.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Remarkably, my views can change in 3 years.

What prompted this change?

[Lief 🗽]

I think Ben's the only notable poster with that position, for no reason than that it best fit his devotion to Moderate Heroism.

Like a third of the country has that position. Probably a majority of the country has held that position at some point in the past.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

What prompted this change?

Logical progression.  There's no good reason for the government to deny benefits to one segment of society just on the basis of sexual orientation.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

What prompted this change?

Logical progression.  There's no good reason for the government to deny benefits to one segment of society just on the basis of sexual orientation.

You've earned:

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

What prompted this change?

Logical progression.  There's no good reason for the government to deny benefits to one segment of society just on the basis of sexual orientation.

So why did you not hold that view three years ago?

[Franzl]

What prompted this change?

Logical progression.  There's no good reason for the government to deny benefits to one segment of society just on the basis of sexual orientation.

So why did you not hold that view three years ago?

A lot of people have sincerely had a change of heart on SSM in the last couple of years. That's why we're seeing such rapid progress.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

What prompted this change?

Logical progression.  There's no good reason for the government to deny benefits to one segment of society just on the basis of sexual orientation.

So why did you not hold that view three years ago?

A lot of people have sincerely had a change of heart on SSM in the last couple of years. That's why we're seeing such rapid progress.

Precisely.

[Holmes]

Who cares, BRTD? Leave the guy alone.

[BluegrassBlueVote]

What prompted this change?

Logical progression.  There's no good reason for the government to deny benefits to one segment of society just on the basis of sexual orientation.

So why did you not hold that view three years ago?

This is why we can't have nice things.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

My only issue is that Ben's old position was so illogical he couldn't even defend it if asked, and obviously had no basis besides Moderate Heroism. Which makes it even worse that he wasn't a politician as he had nothing to gain.

[Brittain33]

My only issue is that Ben's old position was so illogical he couldn't even defend it if asked, and obviously had no basis besides Moderate Heroism. Which makes it even worse that he wasn't a politician as he had nothing to gain.

He has changed his opinion. WWJD?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

My only issue is that Ben's old position was so illogical he couldn't even defend it if asked, and obviously had no basis besides Moderate Heroism. Which makes it even worse that he wasn't a politician as he had nothing to gain.

Jesus. H Christos man... he explained his position changed, accept it and move on. I know PLENTY of people who were pro Civil Union but opposed to equal marriage (most of those with a pretty illogical and more emotional reasoning)... but time and contemplation changed their minds.

I know it's kind of distressing for you, but people can evolve and mature over 3 years.

[Brittain33]

Be that as it may, it's a change that literally tens of millions of Americans of all ages have been making in the last few years, and WAIT HE WAS 15 AND YOU'RE UPSET WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN

[Sbane]

Remarkably, my views can change in 3 years.

Your views do change a lot.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Your views do change a lot.

I don't deny that.  My criticism is of BRTD.  People can note that my view has changed, but BRTD has chosen to do it in the most obnoxious way possible, in a thread not devoted to my views.  His constant attempts to analyze my views are stale, and he needs to step back.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Okay, folks, there's a difference between debating and personal attacks. BRTD's posts about Ben's switch itself are OK, but posts attacking Ben himself and his entire belief system (to the extent that BRTD has in deleted comments) are out of line and off topic.

[Sbane]

What prompted this change?

Logical progression.  There's no good reason for the government to deny benefits to one segment of society just on the basis of sexual orientation.

But you supported Civil Unions. They provide the same benefits to gays as straights. So why the need for a change to supporting gay marriage?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

But you supported Civil Unions. They provide the same benefits to gays as straights. So why the need for a change to supporting gay marriage?

Because it's insulting.  By not calling it marriage, I was passing a judgement on the validity of their relationship.  That's just not acceptable.