You've convinced me, Jodi.

Henceforth, I choose to be overly suspicous of red-headed telemarketers who drive Nissans and wear Crocs that might want to spend time with my son.  Anyone else is fine.

Hey...it's just as rational as being overly suspicous of men who want to spend time with a child, and no one else.

I have a question:

What is the criteria/restrictions on who can be VP?

That IS a good question. I'm not sure. I think perhaps an age requirement as well as the standard citizenship requirements the president has. But beyond that?

Henceforth, I choose to be overly suspicous of red-headed telemarketers who drive Nissans and wear Crocs that might want to spend time with my son.  Anyone else is fine.

When you show me article after article of that type of person molesting children then I will think you should be wary of them, But wait I can do that when it comes to men.

   Todd.............

"This basically echoes what Greg has been saying.  And, sorry, but that is prejudice."

No it's not. If I see a guy dressed in a tutu with purple facepaint on at the mall I'm going to think, "that guy's a weirdo. Something's wrong with him."  I'm going to eye him somewhat suspiciously. Does that mean I'm prejudiced?

Again here is an example of you twisting and putting words in my mouth. From your post people would gather that I believe a gay couple should not be allowed to adopt. Not true. Not trusting a man (related or non related)  to have "alone time" with my child, is not the same as saying gay men should not be able to become fathers.

There is a world of difference then a guy that joins kids activities to be in a position to molest, then a loving couple willing to take on the life long responsiblity to raise a child to adulthood.

Jodie:

All I have done is take you at your words.  Where did I misquote you or mischaracterize your words? You don't trust unrelated men around children. You said that, yes? From that I asked why should I believe that you support a single man (gay or otherwise) from adopting?  Do you think that child abusers don't adopt?

I will take you at your word that you support gay men becoming fathers.  But if you didn't say that I would draw the inference from your statement that no single men, gay or otherwise, should be allowed to adopt.  To protect children.  When we articulate support for prejudices we allow people to draw inferences from our words based on those prejudices.

No it's not. If I see a guy dressed in a tutu with purple facepaint on at the mall I'm going to think, "that guy's a weirdo. Something's wrong with him."  I'm going to eye him somewhat suspiciously. Does that mean I'm prejudiced?

yes you hate Tutus and want to kill all ballerinas.....

there I just saved you time Todd

QUOTE: When you show me article after acrticle of that type of person molesting children then I will think you should be wary of them, But wait I can do that when it comes to men.

Obviously, you do.  Obviously, all men who want to spend time with kids are suspect to you...guilty until proven innocent.  And, no women who want to spend time with kids are suspect at all.

I feel sorry for you, truly.  Naturally, I don't want any harm to come to my son, and I'm going to be concsious of the people and things that surround him.  But I'm not going to automatically assume that everyone he comes into contact with him is out to harm him.  How can he see and learn about the world and learn to interact with other human beings if I cocoon him in layers of bubble wrap, then place him inside a safe?

I feel sorry for you, truly

I am touched Todd, never once did I say I am weary of every man that comes into my childs life, see that's the trouble when you speak for someone else, you remember what you said not what I said.

"Or how about the life long scout...who started as a cub...made it to eagle scout...joined the army...went to college, got married had kids, was involved in scouting with them, but his kids grew up and he still wants to be involved...not related to anyone...but with a lifetime of expertise to draw upon...."

No, that guy I wouldn't have a problem. There's nuance here. It's not all black and white. Remember, I said I would view the guy "with skepticism" ...not discount him outright. If he checks out or earns my trust, then I won't have a problem with it.

QUOTE: I am touched Todd

Oh, great...now I'M guilty of "touching" someone that I've never been in the same room with.

*sigh* Guess I'd better register.

[edit because Jodi's entire post hadn't transmitted at first]

QUOTE: never once did I say I am weary of every man that comes into my childs life

Why not?  What POSSIBLE reason could they have for wanting to spend time with him?