Or probably just a classic example of "don't make the same mistakes I did." Parents do that quite a lot.

That's not conversation, that's playground bullying. Actual conversation involves respect and an open ear, and Obama has neither.

It's not the artist's responsibility to stop people from stealing; it's the thief's responsibility. That shouldn't even be in debate.

Maybe that would make sense on their end, but it's still their decision. But as far as you are concerned, there's simply no excuse to steal. It makes no sense to use someone else's perceived poor choices to justify your own poor choices.
Besides, business shouldn't operate under the assumption that people are going to be dishonest. If, as you say, people are going to get your work anyway, then what we have is a theft problem. That's way more important for us to deal with than trying to provide business advice to artists. It is a shameful reflection on our culture, and I think we should be trying to fix it rather than satisfy it.

Are you saying that the creator of something is contractually or even morally bound to make it available everywhere? It's their property, they can do with it what they choose. Nothing gives you the right to steal it.

History is written by the winner, after all. The past regularly changes depending on who is looking at it and when.

Right. It's not the money itself that separates us, it's just us separating ourselves because we've taught ourselves that money is actually that important. That is a popular myth that is believed by people at the bottom of the ladder as well as those at the top.

Try to live a day without social norms. I wish you luck -- you'll need a lot of it

Nah, I wish. I can't nearly afford that trip any time soon. :(

Depends. As a missionary, sticking to the white neighborhoods usually meant you'd go all day long and nobody would ever let you in. The blacks were a lot more hospitable. And the coloreds seemed to be the most open-minded. Honestly I think all three of those groups could use some help, but that's a generalization anyway. And everyone everywhere has flaws, so nobody can really judge anyway.
I think it's a lot easier for an outsider to recognize the imperfections of a society anyway, so don't think I'm being super-critical. I love South Africa, and there's a lot of good people I met, in all three of those demographics.

2010 to 2012. Sorry :P

True. It wasn't Americans that did it. It was Europeans. Spanish and Portuguese are the most guilty, if we're really that desperate that we must point fingers.

I just tire of people who relentlessly demand to be understood but are totally unwilling to give that same right to others. That double-standard is a defining characteristic of modern politics, and it's high time we got over it so we can make real progress.

But you are right -- not everyone has that chance, because not everyone lives in am environment where their religious environment is sympathetic to them. Just remember that there are some who do. Not all of us who disapprove of homosexual activity are driving people to kill themselves. It would be nice if LGBT activists would be open to the possibility of civil discussing and friendly cooperation on the matter. So far I see mostly bigotry and hostility coming from that camp. I know that's also a generalization, but it is true. The label of "tolerance" is often just a covering to hide that they are just as assertive and rude as the people they claim to be better than.

I disagree with the generalizations. Granted, I certainly don't agree with the way the problem is often approached, and I think there is a lot of improvement to be made among the Christian ranks. But it is getting better quickly. It takes time for people to shift their paradigms, so don't be too hard on them. The older ones, especially, were raised in a different world.
I know people with same-sex attraction that have gone both ways -- some have chosen to assert their gay identity and give ear to the bullies, and consequently spend most of their time complaining. Others have chosen to ignore the people who don't know how to deal with what they're going through, and instead live their lives as happily as they can. I have a lot of respect for the people who retain self-mastery of their own condition.

The "identity adoption" problem you presented above applies equally to homosexual identities, so that's a moot point. You wouldn't be going to see a counselor in the first place if you already had everything you needed. There are scores of people, mostly religious, who struggle with homosexual affections but want to live in harmony with their sincere religious values. If you don't believe that you're lying to yourself. To not be able to receive professional help to live the way you want to live is a tragedy. You should agree with that.
I admit, I am relieved. I was worried you would pull the "animals are gay" argument, as people often do. But you have clearly and admirably explained why humans are best to not behave the way animals do. We are better than that. I agree with you fully.