Words ‘Husband,’ ‘Wife’ Removed From California Marriage Law
To accommodate same-sex marriage, California Jerry Brown did the right thing. “Spouse” covers all possibilities; but, expect traditionalists’ heads to explode.
33 responses to Words ‘Husband,’ ‘Wife’ Removed From California Marriage Law
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R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 09:38
I said before, the more we expand the definition of a word, the more we dilute its meaning.
Witness dilution.
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 09:56
“Dilution is bad because…?”
Can you finish that sentence? It’s not a bad word in-and-of itself.
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 10:02
…it removes the strength and integrity of the former state of a substance or idea.”
I’m a Mad Libs, Words with Friends, Match Game player from way back. I also write a bit. Finishing sentences is easy.
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 10:05
And that’s necessarily a bad thing? If I’m to be hit in the face with hydrochloric acid, I certainly hope it’s diluted, no?
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 10:11
I would hope it was diluted down to 1 part per trillionth.
If I put gasoline in your tank, however, how much water would you like in the mix?
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 10:13
Exactly my point. Dilution is a process, neither inherently good nor bad, so saying that an action is “diluting” something is not an argument against that action or an explanation for why it’s bad.
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 11:21
But it does, at a certain point, change the substance — whether hydrochloric acid or gasoline — into something that can no longer be called what it once was. If you add a tablespoon of water to a cup of hydrochloric acid, you can still call it hydrochloric acid. If you add a gallon, it’s still pretty unsafe, but it’s a heavily diluted mixture. If you add a lake… it’s time to throw the label away.
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 11:25
How much is altering “husband” or “wife” into “spouse” equivalent to? By definition, both are spouses, it’s just a gender-neutral term. Is that a teaspoon? A cup? The Pacific Ocean?
fahvel July 9th, 2014 at 12:01
but the thinking and feeling required by a decent writer is lacking.
fahvel July 9th, 2014 at 12:00
unless it’s a fine single malt from Islay.
Ron Luce July 9th, 2014 at 11:06
>>I said before, the more we expand the definition of a word, the more we dilute its meaning.
Saying something again and again doesn’t make it any less wrong.
When America included blacks in the definition of “citizen” it didn’t dilute the meaning.
When America included women in the definition of “voter” it didn’t dilute the meaning.
When America includes gays in the definition “marriage” it won’t dilute the meaning.
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 09:38
I said before, the more we expand the definition of a word, the more we dilute its meaning.
Witness dilution.
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 09:48
Disregard. Thought this post got weeded out by the wordfilter.Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 09:56
“Dilution is bad because…?”
Can you finish that sentence? It’s not a bad word in-and-of itself.
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 10:02
…it removes the strength and integrity of the former state of a substance or idea.”
I’m a Mad Libs, Words with Friends, Match Game player from way back. I also write a bit. Finishing sentences is easy.
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 10:05
And that’s necessarily a bad thing? If I’m to be hit in the face with hydrochloric acid, I certainly hope it’s diluted, no?
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 10:11
I would hope it was diluted down to 1 part per trillionth.
If I put gasoline in your tank, however, how much water would you like in the mix?
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 10:13
Exactly my point. Dilution is a process, neither inherently good nor bad, so saying that an action is “diluting” something is not an argument against that action or an explanation for why it’s bad.
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 11:21
But it does, at a certain point, change the substance — whether hydrochloric acid or gasoline — into something that can no longer be called what it once was. If you add a tablespoon of water to a cup of hydrochloric acid, you can still call it hydrochloric acid. If you add a gallon, it’s still pretty unsafe, but it’s a heavily diluted mixture. If you add a lake… it’s time to throw the label away.
Rusty Shackleford July 9th, 2014 at 11:25
How much is altering “husband” or “wife” into “spouse” equivalent to? By definition, both are spouses, it’s just a gender-neutral term. Is that a teaspoon? A cup? The Pacific Ocean?
And is “marriage” as it was before necessarily a positive thing that you don’t want diluted or altered in the first place?
fahvel July 9th, 2014 at 12:01
but the thinking and feeling required by a decent writer is lacking.
fahvel July 9th, 2014 at 12:00
unless it’s a fine single malt from Islay.
Ron Luce July 9th, 2014 at 11:06
>>I said before, the more we expand the definition of a word, the more we dilute its meaning.
Saying something again and again doesn’t make it any less wrong.
When America included blacks in the definition of “citizen” it didn’t dilute the meaning.
When America included women in the definition of “voter” it didn’t dilute the meaning.
When America includes gays in the definition “marriage” it won’t dilute the meaning.
mea_mark July 9th, 2014 at 09:50
The wording should be optional depending on what the people getting married want.
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 10:04
I can totally back that! Removing the choice from one group of people to grant a choice to another group of people isn’t necessary, when everyone can have their choice.
mea_mark July 9th, 2014 at 09:50
The wording should be optional depending on what the people getting married want.
R.J. Carter July 9th, 2014 at 10:04
I can totally back that! Removing the choice from one group of people to grant a choice to another group of people isn’t necessary, when everyone can have their choice.
m2old4bs July 9th, 2014 at 15:29
Gov. Moonbeam rocks again.
m2old4bs July 9th, 2014 at 15:29
Gov. Moonbeam rocks again.
Mark Heil July 10th, 2014 at 06:51
People are still free to refer to each other by whatever designation they choose. I’m sure this just pertains to legal paperwork, etc. which is just simply more efficient.
Mark Heil July 10th, 2014 at 06:51
People are still free to refer to each other by whatever designation they choose. I’m sure this just pertains to legal paperwork, etc. which is just simply more efficient.
Debbie Pineau July 10th, 2014 at 14:09
What a bunch of pushy kooks. Never satisfied are they? Love is one thing, promiscuous sex is another.
Debbie Pineau July 10th, 2014 at 14:09
What a bunch of pushy kooks. Never satisfied are they? Love is one thing, promiscuous sex is another.