quote:

Originally posted by NeoPhono why can't we have scholarships for heterosexuals only, or for whites only?

What's stopping you from starting a charity that doles out scholarships like that? If it means that much to you, why not set one up now?

EDIT: - Damn, beaten yet again by occrider's nimble fingers:

quote:

Originally posted by occrider You can organize a group and give a scholarship to anyone you damn well please ... it's your money. http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/W...lffiles187.html

___________________
http://eschatonnow.blogspot.com/

quote:

Originally posted by occrider So if a private group awards scholarships to meritous students by singling out their religion ... say a christian scholarship ... I should get into a hissy fit about it?

Yes, probably. Why waste an education on someone who voluntarily chooses to remain ignorant instead of actually trying to discover the truths behind their existence?

I'm not trying to agrue what *is* allowed, I'm aruging of what I think *should* be allowed. You can call it a pipe dream, or whatever you would like, but I do not think that scholarships based on anything other then need or merit should be given. I realized after I posted that there are whites-only sholarships that I have read about, but that does not make it any more acceptable for me. I'm not trying to get on a soapbox here, but when we preach equality then give scholarhips that in my opinion further inequality, I'm not sure what ends we're trying to reach. I would like to live in a society where, as I have said before we can put aside the trivial characteristics of humanity, such as "race," religion, sexual orientation etc., and focus on need and ability when recieving scholarships. You can tell me all you want about what there is, but I am arguing for what their should be.

quote:

Originally posted by NeoPhono I'm not trying to agrue what *is* allowed, I'm aruging of what I think *should* be allowed. You can call it a pipe dream, or whatever you would like, but I do not think that scholarships based on anything other then need or merit should be given. I realized after I posted that there are whites-only sholarships that I have read about, but that does not make it any more acceptable for me. I'm not trying to get on a soapbox here, but when we preach equality then give scholarhips that in my opinion further inequality, I'm not sure what ends we're trying to reach. I would like to live in a society where, as I have said before we can put aside the trivial characteristics of humanity, such as "race," religion, sexual orientation etc., and focus on need and ability when recieving scholarships. You can tell me all you want about what there is, but I am arguing for what their should be.

Oh you silly idealist you!

Well I certainly agree with your opinion here, but in a free society which we have, we must accept certain liberties like these, esp. the ones we may not agree with. I think, however, that John Stuart Mill made this point pretty clearly in his "On Liberty" piece. Allow these liberties, and let the public decide the ethical choices of what are considered acceptable. One way or another, I don't think there's too much to worry about on these gay scholarships. But I do understand your point, however, and agree that merit and need should supercede all other instances.

The question that follows is, what would you think would be a proper solution?

___________________
Whence September dusk grows crisper still,
with leaves all crimson conquered,
I yearn to shout,
and dance about,
and stick pickles in my honker...

quote:

Originally posted by NeoPhono I'm not trying to agrue what *is* allowed, I'm aruging of what I think *should* be allowed. You can call it a pipe dream, or whatever you would like, but I do not think that scholarships based on anything other then need or merit should be given. I realized after I posted that there are whites-only sholarships that I have read about, but that does not make it any more acceptable for me. I'm not trying to get on a soapbox here, but when we preach equality then give scholarhips that in my opinion further inequality, I'm not sure what ends we're trying to reach. I would like to live in a society where, as I have said before we can put aside the trivial characteristics of humanity, such as "race," religion, sexual orientation etc., and focus on need and ability when recieving scholarships. You can tell me all you want about what there is, but I am arguing for what their should be.

Personally I would be inclined to agree with you with respect to the educational institutions themselves. However, I could care less what a private group does with their money as what appears to be the case with this scholarship. But part of your criticism of the gay scholarships was due to the outrageous "double standard" that existed in this country. However, since there are indeed white only scholarships and scholarships for anything and everything, the only double standard I see are from the groups that wish to politicize the issue.

___________________
Retro ...

freedom of speech and all that jazz. anybody can decide to creat a scholarship program, a private one, and base it on whatever the hell they can do. if it were done by the government, then it would be an act of affirmative action and i don't like that.

>JM<