Let the market sort it out

One of the risks of legalising same-sex (sham) marriage is that it will become illegal to refuse to support the idea through business relationships; for instance, if a pair of men or women about to enter into a sham marriage want a cake celebrating their event, they may well follow the examples set in the USA and upon disappointing refusal, take the baker to court. Baker thereupon looses livelihood (in the land of the used to be free).

Of course, the solution is the market. No longer price anything, except standard fare; all other prices by negotiation, timing is another variable.

So, if I was the baker, I'd say, "Sure, can do, would love to do. For specials we charge $10,000, in advance. Happy to have your business. Now, let me look at my schedule...opps, can't get to it for 18 months. Will that be OK?"

Wedding photos? My fee starts at $100,000. That's my fee; that's what I feel like charging. Take it or leave it.

What fun, and its all done by the market!

Could it get worse?

Comment in a newspaper blog mentioning child abuse:

A cohort study of the ADHEALTH data set indicates that children in ssm families are 7 times more likely to suffer sexual abuse than those not. Pretty dreadful future awaits children caught in the 'marriages' of the 1% of homosexuals who bother. Even more parlous with Dennis Altman's disdain for exclusive sexual relationships in the homosexual community. Small numbers overall, but why condemn children to something so obviously fraught with risk.

Then of course, there is the systematic denial of a full parental relationship of such children with at least one of their living natural parents...it would be hard to design something worse on purpose.

The poster

Another call for natural marriage

Weakness

Have you ever had the joy of an interview with a moron employer, one who thinks they are a clinical psychologist, and asks you to give your opinion of your greatest weakness/weaknesses?

Here's the answer:

"You want me to state my weakness? That wouldn't be in my interest would it? I could trot out a cliche about how I'm a perfectionist, but you've heard those all before. I'm here to talk about my talents and strengths and how I can bring them to bear on this company's challenges"

Read more at https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/04/killer-interview-question-what-is-your-biggest-weakness-thats-not-a-secret-strength/#Hr1Z7kjkC4ZdKX9S.99

You can also clarify...probe back: 'tell me about some of the challenges of this job so I can ensure that I tell you about appropraite weaknesses that will be sure to make me unemployable.'

'Sure, but would you first tell me some of the greatest weaknesses of this company.' 

'That sounds a bit scary, but if you would tell me your greatest weaknesses, being that I'd be working for you' that would start me on the road'.

Or, to really go out on a bang: 'I go postal whenever people ask me stupid questions.'

On a serious note, you could start a dialog:

'Tell me, what are you looking for in this question? Are you looking for an answer that will elimate me from the job, are you seeking my approach to self-development or self-management?. You see, you have to be careful here as with some candidates you could invite an action for discrimination with this question. Imagine if I said that the colour of my skin is my greatest weaknesss in the job market, and you don't employ me...next meeting would be in court."

A couple of cracks in the wall

Some sensible reactions to the same-sex sham-marriage game.

Absolutely!

Our highly paid, and presumable highly educated pals in the media (think: TV) have only one word to confirm statements: "Absolutely".

Here are some alternatives, so they can flourish their great education, flexible minds and acquaintance with English:

Yes
Sure
Certainly
That's right
Yes
I agree
Are you sure?
I think so too
Yes
Hopefully
I hope so
Yes...

The next episode of helpful tips on communicating will deal with the reflexive and redundant cant "in place" (except where used for books on shelves).