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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:09 PM Apr 2013

Senator Mark Pryor Isn’t Sure If People Choose To Be Gay

Source: ThinkProgress

By Igor Volsky on Apr 6, 2013 at 9:49 am

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), one of four remaining Senate Democrats who have not come out for marriage equality, told a local Arkansas news station on Friday that he is “undecided” on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry and is unsure if being gay is a choice:

“I would put me down in the undecided category,” the moderate Democrat told KFSM 5 News. “I did talk with some friends of mine in the gay and lesbian community over the last week or so. We talked about this issue. We also talked about a question I received in the office not too long ago where they asked whether being gay was a choice or whether you were born that way. I told them, I said, ‘Honestly I’ve never really thought a lot about that.” Maybe a lot of people think about that. I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about that. But one of the things I hear from them is they feel very strongly that it’s not a choice for them, and I respect that. I’m not going to dispute that. I appreciate that, and I appreciate their honesty. For a lot of these people they just really open their heart to me and talked about some of the struggles they’ve had over the years with their sexual orientation. I respect that and appreciate their patience, and I appreciate their honesty.”


Pryor also wouldn’t commit to extending federal benefits to gays and lesbians, but expressed concern that doing so would cost the government too much money. “This is one that is an evolving issue in Washington. I haven’t really analyzed this in terms of benefits and what that does for the federal budget, ” he said.

Fifty three senators now support marriage equality. Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Tim Johnson (D-SD) are the only other Democrats who have not publicly endorsed it.

###

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/04/06/1830691/senator-mark-pryor-isnt-sure-if-people-chose-to-be-gay/
54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Senator Mark Pryor Isn’t Sure If People Choose To Be Gay (Original Post) DonViejo Apr 2013 OP
Arkansas: Cannikin Apr 2013 #1
LOL. And true. Faygo Kid Apr 2013 #28
Pryor is up for re-election illegaloperation Apr 2013 #30
I don't live in Arkansas but sdfernando Apr 2013 #33
You are forgetting what he has done for us. illegaloperation Apr 2013 #35
I don't live in Arkansas as I said sdfernando Apr 2013 #36
I totally understand what you said. illegaloperation Apr 2013 #39
pryor is up for re-election thunderbolt brown420 Apr 2013 #53
One of the ways those who use the bible to form their thinking is I do not think God made mistakes. Thinkingabout Apr 2013 #2
gays all tell him is not a choice, but he's undecided. what a fuck-knuckle. KG Apr 2013 #3
Even if it IS a "choice", it's a free country,...isn't it? Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #15
I think he was in Religolous. . .he was a fuckwad in that piece, he's a bigger fuckstick now Nanjing to Seoul Apr 2013 #29
Hey Pryor... we KNOW your religion was a choice... AlbertCat Apr 2013 #4
He just hasn't had the time to form a focus group to tell him what his thoughts are LiberalArkie Apr 2013 #5
I don't know where to begin.. pangaia Apr 2013 #6
I wonder what his reaction would be here.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #16
Obviously a DLC holdover. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #7
A certain former President,... DonViejo Apr 2013 #8
I do NOT see anything in the OP text where he says he thinks it is a choice. Tx4obama Apr 2013 #9
Well, if he HONESTLY NEVER really thought about it... AAO Apr 2013 #17
He'd have been better off keeping his mouth shut than to say crap like that tularetom Apr 2013 #10
He does not do the Democratic Party proud. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #11
Man, he really is dumber than a Little Rock! AAO Apr 2013 #18
You don't have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate. n/t backscatter712 Apr 2013 #22
Nor President, nor King. I'd rather give them an empathy test. AAO Apr 2013 #25
True, but it was entertaining to see the expression on Sen. Pryor's face when he said that. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #32
Didn't he just admit to being a moron? AAO Apr 2013 #40
Yes he did. n/t backscatter712 Apr 2013 #41
Well, he may be dumb, but sure as hell is honest! AAO Apr 2013 #42
Great movie, I must re-watch it. nt awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #43
The best part is when his smile fades at the end. Ash_F Apr 2013 #51
Priceless! Starboard Tack Apr 2013 #52
Wait, really? It's too expensive to stop discriminating? surrealAmerican Apr 2013 #12
Yeah, that got me, too... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #44
You know... Lithos Apr 2013 #13
You don't deny a whole group of people their rights because "it might cost too much" AAO Apr 2013 #14
+1000... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #45
This is what cowardice in Congress looks like. nt bemildred Apr 2013 #19
Someone need to ask the jackass Liberalagogo Apr 2013 #20
Morans are. everywhere catbyte Apr 2013 #21
Wow, is it a stretch now to call Pryor the Democratic Todd Akin? n/t alp227 Apr 2013 #23
Yep, civil rights/equality for all is just too damn expensive. And let me measure the RKP5637 Apr 2013 #24
Why does it matter if it is or isn't??? broadcaster75201 Apr 2013 #26
It figures he would say that. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #27
Sen. Pryor is up for re-election in 2014. illegaloperation Apr 2013 #31
He is taking the liberal Democrats for granted as guaranteed votes...eom Kolesar Apr 2013 #48
Senator Mark Pryor Isn’t Sure If People Choose To Be Black Chipper Chat Apr 2013 #34
It's really pretty simple.... Purplehazed Apr 2013 #37
Well....WTF? SoapBox Apr 2013 #38
This just in: DFW Apr 2013 #46
that's really backwards, i thought we were beyond this point JI7 Apr 2013 #47
Seriously, unless you are female lobodons Apr 2013 #49
His cover language is over half a century old. Aristus Apr 2013 #50
I guess he gasn't received his Talking Points yet PolitFreak Apr 2013 #54

illegaloperation

(260 posts)
30. Pryor is up for re-election
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 09:41 PM
Apr 2013

To be fair, Sen. Pryor is up for re-election in 2014 and coming out to support gays would make his re-election harder than it already is.

Let me ask you guys this: Would you rather have Pryor or some partisan Republican have that seat?

You have to remember that Obama lost Arkansas by 24%: yes, that's twenty-four percent.

sdfernando

(4,897 posts)
33. I don't live in Arkansas but
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 10:25 PM
Apr 2013

I would rather have an HONEST Senator who stands up proud for their beliefs, while also upholding the Constitution, which they have sworn to than one that is looking at they can keep their job by whatever means.

illegaloperation

(260 posts)
35. You are forgetting what he has done for us.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 10:30 PM
Apr 2013

You are forgetting what he has done for us.

Do you remember that he voted for our Affordable Care Act? If he wasn't there, it wouldn't have pass.

ACA is exactly what the Republicans are going to use to attack him on his re-election.

sdfernando

(4,897 posts)
36. I don't live in Arkansas as I said
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 10:43 PM
Apr 2013

(I live in California), and I haven't followed his career or how he has voted on the issue. I'm really glad he voted for ACA I really am. But as has been posed to many a politician, exactly when did he decide to be straight? That should seal the deal right there! There is no question in my mind. I didn't decide to be gay it is just the way I am....period.

illegaloperation

(260 posts)
39. I totally understand what you said.
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 12:20 AM
Apr 2013

I am a big proponent of gay rights and I believe that they are civil right issues.

That said, you are NOT going to find anyone who support gay rights who can win statewide in Arkansas.

I want to show you this chart by Nate Silver:

53. pryor is up for re-election
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 04:36 PM
Apr 2013

well its like this if he votes as he should i'm cool.if not they have this thing called a primary and i will vote agianst him there,if he wins the primary i will still vote for him because anyone is better than a repuke or soggy bottom tea bagger.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
2. One of the ways those who use the bible to form their thinking is I do not think God made mistakes.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:17 PM
Apr 2013

As far as costing the government more money, it would cost as much if the couples were same sex or man and woman. If it cost the government too much money then man and women marriages cost too much and we cold now save more money.

 

Nanjing to Seoul

(2,088 posts)
29. I think he was in Religolous. . .he was a fuckwad in that piece, he's a bigger fuckstick now
Reply to KG (Reply #3)
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 08:07 PM
Apr 2013

Religion. . .pox on humanity since people invented it.

 

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)
4. Hey Pryor... we KNOW your religion was a choice...
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:23 PM
Apr 2013

.... maybe we shouldn't support that either. Or your choice to get married. NO SUPPORTING OF CHOICES!

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
6. I don't know where to begin..
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:30 PM
Apr 2013

That whole quote is so stupendously stupid!.
" “I did talk with some friends of mine in the gay and lesbian community over the last week or so."
My God.. do you mean you talk to some gay and lesbian friends?
Do you mean you talked with some actual gays and lesbians?
Do you really mean 'friends?"
... or is it like a politician saying, "My dear friend and colleague on the other side of the isle?"
What do you mean you appreciate their honesty Do you want them to lie to you?

Because YOU are lying when you say you received a call in the office recently where 'they' asked if "you were born that way or it was a choice?" Giiive mee a breeaak..

Giving equal rights to gays and lesbians would be too expensive !! WHAT !!!!!!

“This is one that is an evolving issue in Washington...." Come on.. think up your own word, dude.

Jeebus, man, do you know how silly you sound???

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
16. I wonder what his reaction would be here....
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:56 PM
Apr 2013

I was just at a friend's house not so long ago and their gay son and his partner were snuggling on the sofa watching TV.

The little tiny dog comes in. Sees the cuddling and runs over to get some affection too.

You think this guy would have a general freak out?

Maybe it would help to know one of the guys on the sofa is an ex-marine.

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
8. A certain former President,...
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:33 PM
Apr 2013

born and raised in Arkansas, needs to call his home boy, Pryor, and tell him to quit using his head for a rectal thermometer. I might be able to forgive that President's signature on DOMA if he taught Pryor

Tx4obama

(36,974 posts)
9. I do NOT see anything in the OP text where he says he thinks it is a choice.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:34 PM
Apr 2013

What I see from what he said is: He put himself in the 'undecided category' on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry.

Regarding the 'choice' issue I think the headline is misleading and the article may have taken his other comments out of context, because he said: ‘Honestly I’ve never really thought a lot about that.” --- That is not the same as saying that he does or doesn't not think that.

Just my opinion.



 

AAO

(3,300 posts)
17. Well, if he HONESTLY NEVER really thought about it...
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 07:01 PM
Apr 2013

The guy is a complete moron and should retire to a sanitarium ASAP!

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
10. He'd have been better off keeping his mouth shut than to say crap like that
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:35 PM
Apr 2013

He's just made himself look like a fuckin idiot.

backscatter712

(26,355 posts)
32. True, but it was entertaining to see the expression on Sen. Pryor's face when he said that.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 10:13 PM
Apr 2013

"You don't have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate." ("Fuck, did I just say that?&quot

Ash_F

(5,861 posts)
51. The best part is when his smile fades at the end.
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 01:33 PM
Apr 2013

"You don't need to pass a IQ test to be in the senate." ...

DU needs a deadpan smilie.

What is really really sad is that this guy probably does understand that evolution is fact, but he can't say because his the nutters would hold his feet to the fire. His quote really gives it away.

surrealAmerican

(11,340 posts)
12. Wait, really? It's too expensive to stop discriminating?
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:43 PM
Apr 2013

So, if we increased discrimation to other groups, we could save even more money. Let's just restrict marriage to only people under the age of 60: just think of the money we'd save!

Did he even think about how this argument sounds for two seconds?

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
44. Yeah, that got me, too...
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 01:39 AM
Apr 2013

How would allowing gay marriage cost America? Oh, I know- they could file jointly and enjoy the benefits us straight folks do. So what? Start charging fair tax rates on those who are draining us- the rich.

Lithos

(26,397 posts)
13. You know...
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:45 PM
Apr 2013

Sometimes I think these people are so backwards that they are stuck in the 1890's and think gay means something else.

Then I think, no it's 1890 BCE.

These people are so damned disgusting. If people like this are so out in the weeds, it does not give me much hope.

L-

 

AAO

(3,300 posts)
14. You don't deny a whole group of people their rights because "it might cost too much"
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 06:46 PM
Apr 2013

Well, since we are in this economic situation we should revoke civil right to Native Americans. What a fucking asshole!

 

Liberalagogo

(1,770 posts)
20. Someone need to ask the jackass
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 07:13 PM
Apr 2013

when did he "choose" to be a hetero? And then ask him when did he "try out" homosexuality in order to make said "choice"?

RKP5637

(67,032 posts)
24. Yep, civil rights/equality for all is just too damn expensive. And let me measure the
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 07:33 PM
Apr 2013

gay-straight index to see who made what choice. I would dare say being straight costs the gov. a hell of a lot in lost tax revenue too ... and costs.

Asses like this really should have been born eons ago and lived their life in a cave.

broadcaster75201

(387 posts)
26. Why does it matter if it is or isn't???
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 07:48 PM
Apr 2013

The Gov't should STAY OUT OF IT. What ... if it's a choice we get to criminalize consenting sex?

My god is this a Nation of morons.

illegaloperation

(260 posts)
31. Sen. Pryor is up for re-election in 2014.
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 09:51 PM
Apr 2013

Support for same-sex marriage may be a winning issue nationwide, but it is not (at least not yet) in Arkansas.

Chipper Chat

(9,637 posts)
34. Senator Mark Pryor Isn’t Sure If People Choose To Be Black
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 10:26 PM
Apr 2013

You're right, this doesn't go over well.
Oh wait, that's not what he said?

Purplehazed

(179 posts)
37. It's really pretty simple....
Sat Apr 6, 2013, 11:50 PM
Apr 2013

Just ask him if he had a tough time deciding who to ask to the senior prom. Sally with the sweet smile and always smelled nice or big ol' muscley Bobby the quarterback.

If he wrestled and agonized over that decision, you can see why he might think that it's choice.

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)
38. Well....WTF?
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 12:13 AM
Apr 2013

I am so excited, Mr. "Brain Surgeon" that YOU have...just...not...made...up...your...mind...whether...people...are...gay.

Fuck Off Asshole!

I couldn't give a shit whether you have "made up your mind"!

DFW

(54,057 posts)
46. This just in:
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 04:07 AM
Apr 2013

Arkansas has not yet decided if Japanese people choose to look Oriental, or if they're just born that way.

 

lobodons

(1,290 posts)
49. Seriously, unless you are female
Sun Apr 7, 2013, 10:49 AM
Apr 2013

Seriously, unless you are female, who would choose to have sexual relations with a member of the same sex? Pryor is such an idiot!!

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