April 28, 2023

"Even as her Republican peers sought to isolate her in the wake of her impassioned comments against a proposed ban on what doctors call gender-affirming medical care for children..."

"... [Zooey] Zephyr said she would not remain idle. She spent much of the day on the bench, working with headphones in her ears to block the sound of chattering lobbyists, the hiss of a milk foamer and the voices of lawmakers ordering coffee. 'I am here working on behalf of my constituents as best I can given the undemocratic circumstances,' Ms. Zephyr said on Twitter."

From "A Transgender Lawmaker Is Exiled as Montana G.O.P. Flexes New Power/Barred by Republican lawmakers from participating in the legislative session on the House floor, Representative Zooey Zephyr reported for work on a hallway bench" (NYT). 

[I]n recent years, as the state has experienced an influx of conservative transplants and joined an increasingly polarized national political debate, Republicans have steadily expanded their control, especially in rural Montana, which had often been the scene of vigorous and competitive political contests.... 

Missoula, the Western-chic college town that Ms. Zephyr represents, has become an encircled island of progressive politics.... 

Earlier this month... Ms. Zephyr stood on the House floor to tell colleagues that passing a bill to prohibit hormone treatments and surgical care for transgender minors would be “tantamount to torture” and would result in “blood on your hands” for lawmakers who approved it. 

The House’s Republican leadership initially responded to the blunt remarks by refusing to recognize Ms. Zephyr in floor discussions.... Republican leaders have said that the issue with Ms. Zephyr is not about freedom of speech, but rather the chaos that erupted when her supporters spoke out loudly in the House chambers, chanting, “Let her speak” as Ms. Zephyr held a microphone over her head to capture the cacophony....

The Republicans look bad excluding Zephyr. They have the majority and can pursue their policies. I don't know the extent to which Zephyr is trying to block the legislative process by overstepping her role as an individual legislator, but that too is a problem — a problem I saw first hand here in Wisconsin in 2011. If the "Republican leaders" can be believed, though, she's not being punished for her fiery rhetoric — “tantamount to torture,” “blood on your hands” — but for the response of the crowd. If the audience is unruly, do something about that. Don't punish the speaker.

ADDED: Are the Republicans blaming Zephyr for the crowd response on the theory that her strong rhetoric "incited" them? Shades of January 6th! Did Trump incite that unruly interference with the congressional process? Is Zephyr like Trump? Step up and articulate your hypocrisy as clearly as possible.

143 comments:

Blastfax Kudos said...

The speaker in question encouraged and facilitated the disruptions. He became part of the audience. So in fact, they did do something about it.

Ann Althouse said...

"The speaker in question encouraged and facilitated the disruptions."

Like Trump on January 6th?

Gahrie said...

Once again we see this strange dichotomy. It's OK to prevent the speech of a federal judge who was an invited guest who is a conservative, but an outrage to punish a Leftwing extremist who is disrupting the legislative process.

Cruel neutrality indeed.

Gahrie said...

Like Trump on January 6th?

Trump was at the capital egging on the crowd on Jan. 6?

Dave Begley said...

What is happening is that we are seeing that many people on the left are unhinged and they just are throwing out all the rules. Chaos is the result.

One can't reason with the Left. It is their way or the highway.

NE rejected a more restrictive abortion law yesterday. If it would have passed, we would have seen much craziness. So, NE stays at 20 weeks.

Krumhorn said...

I never tire of pointing out that the lefties are nasty little shits. Being so certain, as they are, of their moral superiority, nothing is out of bounds.

- Krumhorn

Enigma said...

@Althouse -- No. You are reading selectively.

->>> "Ms. Zephyr held a microphone over her head to capture the cacophony...."

@Althouse then concludes: If the "Republican leaders" can be believed, though, she's not being punished for her fiery rhetoric — “tantamount to torture,” “blood on your hands” — but for the response of the crowd.

This scenario actually reveals "collusion" between Ms. Zephyr and the crowd. She was doing as much or more than Donald Trump on Jan. 6. The left has a double standard for protests.

If the right wing visited DC and held a rally akin to the Louis Farrakhan "Million Man March" and his Number 19 numerology nonsense, how would it be covered? Leftists believe they have an unchallenged right to protest and that the right wing has zero right to protest. This is infantile, nonfunctional, and a precursor to genocide. Listen. Walk in the shoes of others.

rehajm said...

The Republicans look bad excluding Zephyr

Not to Republicans they don’t. No one is above the rules…

Birches said...

Oh brother. As if the NYT is reporting this whole thing without bias This legislature has been removed, but is still able to participate. Seems like a great way to keep order.

rehajm said...

Like Trump on January 6th?

If the answer is yes that would mean MT would be justified in impeachment of the Zooey guy…

Old and slow said...

"surgical care for transgender minors" That's a pleasant euphemism.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

Are we getting the facts from the hack-D media on this? Note we only hear one side of the story.
As usual.

Allowing the trans industry (oh yeah - it's an industry) to injure and mutilate minors - without parental knowledge - should be illegal.

You want to be a girl or a boy - wait until you are 18. Then do what you want.

btw- a word to all men who want to be female. Fine. Whatever. no one cares.
BUT YOU cannot compete with women in women's sports. You are not allowed in women's locker rooms. YOU will not be transferred to the women's prisons. etc..

Examples

Examples

btw- Lia Thomas exposed 'male genitalia' in women's locker room after meets. & women are coming forward saying Mr. Thomas liked to watch women undress in the women's locker room.

And he likes to compete against females. What an asshole.

But the collective corrupt left demand we worship that behavior... or they will call us all trans-phobes. got that?

Inga said...

This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American. There will be a price to pay for this in the upcoming election cycles, just as there will be and already has been regarding the overreach by Republicans in women’s reproductive freedoms.

CJinPA said...

Like Trump on January 6th?

YES. Or no. Doesn't matter. The rules of the game were set by Democrats: If your supporters do something unruly or violent, you are to blame.

The fact that Democrats set that rule after a summer of left-wing rioting and federal courthouse-firebombing speaks to utterly pathetic state of the GOP, which stood by while Democrats mumbled "Your violent rage is justified, but don't be violent."

Does it make the Montana GOP look bad? Absolutely. But not using the weapon Democrats created will ultimately weaken them more.

Blastfax Kudos said...

Ann Althouse said, "Like Trump on January 6th?"

I knew Ray Epps looked familiar. Trump was there the whole time. Who knew.

Inga said...

“What is happening is that we are seeing that many people on the left are unhinged and they just are throwing out all the rules. “

What we are seeing is that many people on the right are extremist and antithetical to the democratic process.

rehajm said...

This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American

When you have to resort to patriotism you’ve lost the argument. (Is this already a law? It needs a name but Rehajm’s Law doesn’t work…)

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

ah poor man-baby trans asshole and phony. How dare the ONE person not be allowed to bulldoze the proceedings. Because Democrat... and DEMOCRACY!
and those mean old republicans.

Trans assholes who want secret mutilations and mental scarring of minors are the same assholes who LIE about "Don't say gay" law - which has nothing to do with "gay" (and that fake title "Don't say gay" used in loyal unison by all D-hack press/local and national.) But do buy what the hack-D press are selling. Don't give it another thought.
The law in Florida protects young children from the left-wing pedo sex industry.

Also - the left spread lies about book banning. In truth - the left ban the classics - and yell and scream (and lie!) when anyone dare remove a sex book out of a K-6th grade library.

We do not get the truth from the hack D-press.

The left want to remove the stigma from sex with children.

Hari said...

"The House’s Republican leadership initially responded to the blunt remarks by refusing to recognize Ms. Zephyr in floor discussions."

How stupid!

How do they know the people chanting "let her speak" were exclusively her supporters? Maybe they included people who oppose her position but believe in free speech.

Hari said...

"The House’s Republican leadership initially responded to the blunt remarks by refusing to recognize Ms. Zephyr in floor discussions."

How stupid!

How do they know the people chanting "let her speak" were exclusively her supporters? Maybe they included people who oppose her position but believe in free speech.

deepelemblues said...

The question must be asked, what would the professor say if Republicans routinely interrupted legislative sessions with performative hecklers vetoes? How uncouth! Makes them look bad.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gospace said...

Inga said...
This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American. There will be a price to pay for this in the upcoming election cycles, just as there will be and already has been regarding the overreach by Republicans in women’s reproductive freedoms.


Fae far worse then holding two impeachment trials on totally made up charges and voting to convict.

Quayle said...

Here's a question I'm pondering: Can cruel neutrality overcome non-neutral source texts? Can it right the leaning ship? Or are we satisfied with cruelly neutral to non-neutral sources?

gilbar said...

WHY can't people see?
That Once we cut Everyone's sex organs off.. We'll All be the same!!
Over population is the biggest problem that we pretend is real.
ONLY by sterilizing the Entire Population, of the World; will we be able to combat climate change!

Cappy said...

Good for the Republicans there. We are living in a tyranny. We need to respond.

Quayle said...

I note in my analysis that Trump didn't himself go to capitol hill and stand in the chamber while his supporters created chaos. So that is one distinction.

wildswan said...

The Montana legislator did not urge her followers to maintain a peaceful protest and follow the directions of law enforcement. Trump did*. That said, ejecting elected lawmakers as in Montana is not a great idea. That said, impeaching Trump while in office and indicting him while a candidate has not been good for the country and this Montana story is an example of downstream consequences of destructive actions.

*Trump's tweets:

“Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!” Trump/ Twitter 1:38 PM · Jan 6, 2021
and
“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!” Trump/ Twitter 2:13 PM · Jan 6, 2021

gilbar said...

Gahrie said...
Like Trump on January 6th?
Trump was at the capital egging on the crowd on Jan. 6?

My GOD! Now it All Makes Sense!!
Noone has EVER seen Ray Epps and Donald Trump in the same place at the same time!!!

iowan2 said...

When its the left, we get, 'nothing illegal here', 'exercising their constitutional power'.

When its the right we get, 'breaking of norms', 'obstruction of process', 'coarsening of debate', 'mean tweets'.

Jan 6 committee, was the first congressional committee, populated 100% by the Speaker of the House. The ranking party had all their choices refused.


Democrats are writing...and enforcing, the rules of game. This is just how it has to be played.

Gusty Winds said...

Like Trump on January 6th?

J6 was a set up. Ray Epps motivated the crowd along with ANTIFA and other paid agitators.

Even the Capitol Police were in on it, holding doors, giving the water buffalo shaman a guided tour.

I'm not seeing the comparison unless we are playing make believe.

Chuck said...

This is another really good blog post, Althouse. Calling out the fact that if Montana Republicans just wanted to advance their legislative agenda, they could have slipstreamed this incident, by ignoring it for the moment, gone to substantive votes, and carried the day. Law passed.

This is all about culture-warring, and even more. And the “more” in this case is what was seen in Tennessee; a renewal of the January 6 fight. The TrumpWing Republicans are still butthurt over the mass of successful prosecutions of J6 insurrectionists. And they desperately want a “left wing insurrection” story.

That is what this is all about. TrumpWingers trying to create a different insurrection narrative.

iowan2 said...

Inga said...

This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American.


As I stated, before I read you comment. Never before was a Congressional committee formed 100% by the Speaker of the House, denying the ranking party any participation seating members. See, January 6 committee.

Un-American indeed.

The Obama Biden Administration Spied on a presidential campaign, transition team, and administration. Then, after that Administration was voted out of power, Democrats have set about to lock up the ex-President.

Un-American indeed.

narciso said...

no they are evil, they are pushing the mutilation of children

Wince said...

"Republican transplants" or former Democrats disaffected by the extremism of their party?

Shades of January 6th! Did Trump incite that unruly interference with the congressional process? Is Zephyr like Trump? Step up and articulate your hypocrisy as clearly as possible.

Zephyr will be allowed to vote remotely. Exactly how many people have been imprisoned without bail at the behest of the Montana legislature?

M Jordan said...

“Like Trump on Jan. 6.”

And in the end
The hate you take
Is equal to the
Lo o o o v v v e e e
You fake.

(Interpretation: Ann fakes balance but in the end, libs gotta lib.)

wendybar said...

I forgot. Transgenders, Progressives, Antifa, BLM and pedophiles can do no wrong.

M Jordan said...

@Gusty winds

Yep. Charlottesville too. Check out the photos of the tiki torches: Feds all.

iowan2 said...

I forgot to add to Ingas post.

"The FBI conducted 3.4 million illegal 702 FISA searches of citizens electronic communications.(cell phone, text, emails, social media,etc), in 2021. More than doubling from the previous year. (Does not include 80 FBI agents assigned to censor social media)

Un-American indeed.

wendybar said...

Inga said...
This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American. There will be a price to pay for this in the upcoming election cycles, just as there will be and already has been regarding the overreach by Republicans in women’s reproductive freedoms.

4/28/23, 8:38 AM

But it is okay when the censoring of Republicans is done by Democratic legislators. Got it.

wendybar said...

I'm not seeing the comparison unless we are playing make believe.

4/28/23, 9:00 AM


It's clear that the Progressives live in an alternate Universe where they are always right, and the other side is evil.

mezzrow said...

Are you not entertained?

Republicans are at least more forgiving than Caesar. Whigs raise a glass for a discreet toast, and the arc of history bends. Stein's law beckons in the shadows.

Rit said...

I will never stop being amazed that nearly the media universe persists in the maintaining and reinforcing the delusional fantasy the Zephyr is a woman and should be so addressed. I couldn't care less how Zephyr thinks of himself, but I simply refuse to participate in mass psychosis. That kind of psychosis leads us to a Supreme Court Justice who apparently has no idea what a woman is (and therefore presumably doesn't even know if she is a woman herself).

Left Bank of the Charles said...

“Step up and articulate your hypocrisy as clearly as possible.”

We have a winner!

The Montana Freedom Caucus demanded Zephyr be censured for attempting to “shame the Montana legislative body and by using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate” citing Zooey’s “blood on your hands” speech. Their conclusion, “This kind of hateful rhetoric from an elected official is exactly why tragedies such as the Covenant Christian School shooting in Nashville occurred.”

Ellie said...

If he is really a woman, then he should understand "Sit down and shut up." He can't have it both ways.

Bruce Hayden said...

“Not to Republicans they don’t. No one is above the rules…”

We are registered Republicans in Montana, and cheered. He/She knew the rules, and willingly, and repeatedly, violated them. If we could transfer Missoula to WA to the west, we would, in a heart beat.

Bruce Hayden said...

“This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American. There will be a price to pay for this in the upcoming election cycles, just as there will be and already has been regarding the overreach by Republicans in women’s reproductive freedoms.”

Not in Montana. She was out of line, and intentionally violated the well known norms of the legislature.

wild chicken said...

This was just the culmination of protests and tantrums at the Capitol as the bill hit the floor.

It would have just gone on and on and the house would have looked foolishly chaotic to let Screwy Zooey, Pugnacious Powerbottom take over every session.

Amadeus 48 said...

Althouse must be bored today.

I heard a recording of Zephyr's antics. She/he is trying to imitate the Tennessee Two (or is that three? It is hard to keep score in all the confusion). Anyway, she/he precipitated disorder in the legislative chamber. It was as if Sen. Kamala Harris had led the cheers for the disrupting demonstrators in the hearings on Kavanaugh. I don't remember Trump doing that on Jan 6. I remember his saying that anyone going to the Capitol should do so patriotically and peacefully.

Since Zephyr is a biological male who impersonates a female, can we count her/him as two?

DavidUW said...

He was leading an insurrection

He should be at a minimum banned from joining the debate on the floor of the Montana legislature as he proved incapable of following the rules of the floor.

Your comment about trump beclowns you Ann.

Greg the Class Traitor said...

ADDED: Are the Republicans blaming Zephyr for the crowd response on the theory that her strong rhetoric "incited" them? Shades of January 6th! Did Trump incite that unruly interference with the congressional process? Is Zephyr like Trump? Step up and articulate your

1: Trump had a legitimate complaint. Zephyr did not. Chemical and physical castration and sterilization of children, which is what that monster is supporting, is the actual torture.

It's been scientifically established that the abuse Zephyr supports does NOT save lives, and does destroy them. The ones with "blood on their hands" are the ones pushing that evil

2: Zerphy directly led the assault on the Montana State Legislature. Trump did nothing of the sort on Jan 6, that was Ray Epps, FBI tool

The House’s Republican leadership initially responded to the blunt remarks by refusing to recognize Ms. Zephyr in floor discussions
It's called "enforcing the rules."
If that's not allowed, then violating the rules, as the Jan 6 protesters did, is clearly acceptable behavior
Pick one, and stick to it


The Republicans look bad excluding Zephyr
1: Bullshit
2: Couldn't care less

We "look bad" to people who have no principles, no rules, and no belief that the rules should ever apply to THEIR side. Fuck them

They have the majority and can pursue their policies. I don't know the extent to which Zephyr is trying to block the legislative process by overstepping her role as an individual legislator, but that too is a problem — a problem I saw first hand here in Wisconsin in 2011. If the "Republican leaders" can be believed, though, she's not being punished for her fiery rhetoric — “tantamount to torture,” “blood on your hands” — but for the response of the crowd. If the audience is unruly, do something about that. Don't punish the speaker.

Zephyr is being punished for aiding the crowd in disrupting the session. I know you're bright enough to figure that out, so why are you pretending otherwise

Republican leaders have said that the issue with Ms. Zephyr is not about freedom of speech, but rather the chaos that erupted when her supporters spoke out loudly in the House chambers, chanting, “Let her speak” as Ms. Zephyr held a microphone over her head to capture the cacophony

That "holding the microphone over the head" to amplify the assault on the chamber is why Zephyr, quite properly, is kicked out of the chamber.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

So now performative disruption is GOOD even though the cruelly neutral were AGAINST “performative conservatives” just a few days ago. Man I get whiplash trying to follow the ever shifting mores of this blog.

Action: shouting down invited conservative judge.
Reaction: Let the protesters speak! They might say something good.
Action: Ejection of disruptive legislator who violates decorum in AZ (introducing a witness who had made remarks disparaging Democrats).
Reaction: Serves him right for being rude.
Action: Ejection of disruptive legislator who violates decorum in MT.
Reaction: He/she just wants to be heard you meanies. Trump is an insurrectionist.

Sebastian said...

"given the undemocratic circumstances"

Right. As we all know, progs not getting their way is "undemocratic."

rcocean said...

The new oppressed sexual minority. Now, they've been "normalized", next stop peodphilia. After all, wasn't that what "drag queen story hour" was all about?

Chuck said...

Gusty Winds said...
Like Trump on January 6th?

J6 was a set up. Ray Epps motivated the crowd along with ANTIFA and other paid agitators.

Even the Capitol Police were in on it, holding doors, giving the water buffalo shaman a guided tour.

I'm not seeing the comparison unless we are playing make believe.


You've gone full-retard.

Never go full retard.

Rocco said...

"'I am here working on behalf of my constituents as best I can given the undemocratic circumstances,' Ms. Zephyr said on Twitter."

Ann Althouse said...
"The Republicans ... have the majority and can pursue their policies."

Sure sounds like democracy to me.

MadisonMan said...

I don't think I could ever vote for someone named Zooey Zephyr. I'm shallow that way.

n.n said...

democracy

da-

*dā-, Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to divide."


Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) under the Pro-Choice ethical religion.

That said, diversity of individuals, minority of one. #HateLovesAbortion

Amadeus 48 said...

"What we are seeing is that many people on the right are extremist and antithetical to the democratic process."

"This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American."

Sorry, Inga, but you are flailing. There is a long history of disorderly conduct, which from time to time has consequences. We could start with the caning of Sen. Charles Sumner (R-MA) by Rep. Preston Brooks (D-SC). In 1837, the Speaker of the Arkansas House killed with a Bowie knife a colleague who had insulted him on the floor of the Arkansas House. In 1838, a Whig congressman from Kentucky killed a Democrat colleague in a duel over party politics. In 1858 there was a full-fledged brawl in the House chamber, north against south.

There is plenty of blame to go around, but these pre-Civil War brawls should be a warning. The anti-Kavanaugh demonstrators and the transgender demonstrators have no goal but to impose their will on the majority. That doesn't sound too democratic to me.

n.n said...

The new oppressed sexual minority. Now, they've been "normalized", next stop peodphilia. After all, wasn't that what "drag queen story hour" was all about?

Progress, yes, in trans/social culture. However, normalization was hardly closeted. The trans/homosexual grooming occurred in schools, churches, Boy Scouts, Hollywood, in parades, etc., then under the political congruence ("=") of a judicial override of democracy, notably Democrats, and establishment of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with the "Respect Marriage Act". That said, civil unions for all consenting adults, without discrimination by diversity, sex, trans/gender spectrum, etc.

William said...

Your double standards are far more duplicitous than my double standards.....Zooey said "I'm working on behalf of my constituents...". That's some district she represents. I bet there are more native Swahili speakers in her district than trans-gendered minors....How did it come to pass that corrective and/or mutilating surgery for minors became the great moral crusade of our time?

wendybar said...

The Republicans look bad excluding Zephyr
1: Bullshit
2: Couldn't care less

We "look bad" to people who have no principles, no rules, and no belief that the rules should ever apply to THEIR side. Fuck them

THIS^^ 100% THIS^^^^

n.n said...

Audit the vote, thank you for your support, respect the law.

The riot was forced with the prescribed pulling of the rug from underfoot, a probable Whitmer event, including: police assault of the people, summary execution of an unarmed woman in a prone position, etc.

Once again we see this strange dichotomy. It's OK to prevent the speech of a federal judge who was an invited guest who is a conservative, but an outrage to punish a Leftwing extremist who is disrupting the legislative process.

The DIE[versity] dean. No dichotomy, only cruel neutrality.

Mark said...

I don't know the extent to which Zephyr is trying to block the legislative process by overstepping her role as an individual legislator

The right thing would have been to just stop there, rather than attacking the Republicans for their response.

Kevin said...

Where are the stories about Democrats who disapprove of "gender affirming medical care"?

An organization not focused on producing one-sided propaganda would certainly see those as newsworthy.

John henry said...

2 serious questions

Has Mr zephyr had his dick amputated (yet?)? If it is such a great idea, why not? If he hasn't.

I understand that asking that question is considered gauche, uncouth and impolite. I do not understand why. Can someone explain why it is not a legitimate question for me to ask of him?

He is the one who claims to be a woman. He is the one who wants to operate on minors. He is the one who is in my face about his claims to womanhood.

Why can't I ask this?

And wh was he before he became Zooey zephyr? Why should he get a slate wipe when we normies can't? It's like the cross dressers think they are in witness protection or something.

John Henry

rcocean said...

Wendybar: Ditto.

Iman said...

The guy is an opportunist, a recent trannie pose in hopes of garnering attention/a following.

Rules should apply to each and every one of them.

n.n said...

How did it come to pass that corrective and/or mutilating surgery for minors became the great moral crusade of our time?

Once you normalize human rites, DIEversity, too, Levine's dreams of Herr Mengele were sure to follow.

"Your double standards are far more duplicitous than my double standards.....Zooey said"
...
How did it come to pass that corrective and/or mutilating surgery for minors became the great moral crusade of our time?


The religion of ethics or relativistic principles (e.g. "=") in progressive liberal sects.

Michael K said...

How long before Inga announces her tranny new name? You'd think that Montana would not tolerate this nonsense but the university is in a world of its own.

hombre said...

'I am here working on behalf of [1% or less of] my constituents as best I can given the undemocratic circumstances ....'

There. Fixed.



hombre said...

Althouse: '"The speaker in question encouraged and facilitated the disruptions."

Like Trump on January 6th?'

"Facilitate" may not mean what you think it means.

For example, "The people who declined Trump's offer to provide a National Guard presence at the Capitol facilitated the January 6th riots," seems a better use.

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2022/08/gen-kellogg-trump-did-request-natl-guard-troops-on-jan-6th-asks-congress-to-release-his-testimony/

Known Unknown said...

Like Fox News, Althouse kind of hates her audience.

Anna Keppa said...

Quayle said...
"Here's a question I'm pondering: Can cruel neutrality overcome non-neutral source texts? Can it right the leaning ship? Or are we satisfied with cruelly neutral to non-neutral sources?"


Althouse very often chooses to use the NYT and other lefty sites as reference points for her "cruelly neutral" stances. There's no attempt to offer up-front references to other media sites with opposing views.

As a result the issues are framed and sharpened through a distorted lens, right from the start. Everyone here should remember that.

hombre said...

Igna prattles: "This censoring of Democratic legislators by Republican legislators in state houses is un-American. There will be a price to pay for this in the upcoming election cycles, just as there will be and already has been regarding the overreach by Republicans in women’s reproductive freedoms."

The projection here is both dissonant and pathetic. Censorship is page one of the Democrat playbook as has been proven time and time again and even documented by left leaning journalists. As for overreach, pro-life facilities and churches have been vandalized and torched by Democrat consorts without consequence. Pro-abort Dem consorts have demonstrated at SC Justice's homes - a felony - without consequence.

Meanwhile, pro-lifers are arrested for praying on public property near abortion mills.

If you feel compelled to lie your ass off, take it to a lefty silo where no one will notice.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

Zooey Zephyr - is that his stage name?

wild chicken said...

"There will be a price to pay for this in the upcoming election cycles,"

There would have been a price to pay if they hadn't tried to put a stop to all the trans antics. Time to wrap up the session and go home.

Michael P said...

https://twitter.com/MTFreedomCaucus/status/1650654469951193088/photo/1:

"Representative Zephyr encouraged these actions by standing in the middle of the floor encouraging an insurrection after all members were told to move to the sides and clear the House gallery to remain in a safe location."

Yes, let's contrast this with January 6th. Can one imagine what would have happened if a Republican stood on the floor of either house of Congress during the "insurrection", encouraging the rioters? Democrats would be trying to apply a "Fourteenth Amendment solution" to that Congressperson's tenure.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Step up and articulate your hypocrisy as clearly as possible.

Seems more like the hypocrisy is claiming to care about rules (and/or law) and then only applying them to one side. Same shit with the TN reps--when members of groups Nice People like Prof. Althouse approve of break the rules and are duly punished for it the Nice People object to the punishment. When members of groups Nice People don't approve of break the rules and are punished, well, that's just, that's according to the rules, that's just basic fairness.

A Republican state representative in Oregon named Mike Nearman helped let rightwing protestors into the Oregon Capitol in 2020. The protestors were angry about Covid-19 restrictions.
Nearman was fined $2,000 by the (Democrat) House Speaker, stripped of his committee seats, and barred from the building. He was then expelled by a vote of 59-1; the reason for his expulsion was "disorderly behavior." THEN, after that, he was charged with crimes--official misconduct and 2nd degree trespass (both misdemeanors). He eventually pled guilty to the official misconduct charge and got 18 months of probation and a $2,700 fine. The Nice People, if they noticed this at all, found that to be a fair outcome.

When the TN representatives tried to let protestors in and committed, themselves, misconduct and official obstruction by "occupying" the floor of the TN house they were expelled...and the Nice People like Prof. Althouse got mad at the people who expelled them!

The MT legislature has rules. This representative broke those rules and is being punished for it. That's not hypocrisy, that's not an injustice, that's not some dark conspiracy to oppress transgender people--that's how the rules are supposed to work.

You really seem to like (some) hecklers, Professor. When hecklers prevent an invited speaker from speaking you take their side and now when hecklers, assisted by a Rep, prevent a legislature from proceeding you take their side. Are there any situations where you think heckling, even for a cause you approve, is inappropriate and worthy of punishment?

JRoberts said...

Ms. Zephyr sitting in the hallway of the Montana legislature attempting to serve her constituents is honorable.
Sitting in what was probably the highest visibility location in that hallway to attract the attention of the cameras was pure showboating and victim signaling.

Free Manure While You Wait! said...

"Like Trump on January 6th?"

Do you really have a law degree? Because this is the internet, so...

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Left Bank of the Charles said...
“Step up and articulate your hypocrisy as clearly as possible.”

We have a winner!

The Montana Freedom Caucus demanded Zephyr be censured for attempting to “shame the Montana legislative body and by using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate” citing Zooey’s “blood on your hands” speech. Their conclusion, “This kind of hateful rhetoric from an elected official is exactly why tragedies such as the Covenant Christian School shooting in Nashville occurred.”


Possibly you're not aware, but every legislature has rules limiting the speech of its members. Usually these are related to "maintaining decorum" and they typically prevent personal attacks, the use of profanity, calls for violence, etc. You may notice that in many bodies the members don't directly address one another or will refer to each other as "my honorable friend so-and-so;" this is a result of those decorum rules.
Maintaining that decorum is important to the function of the legislative body. Each member when sworn in agrees to abide by the rules, and if they violate those rules they're punished according to the rules.

In the US House there's a procedure called words taken down where an objection to a breach of decorum is made and if upheld not only are the remarks struck from the record but the offender can't speak again for the remainder of the day. Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has had her words taken down a few times and was removed from a committee based on remarks she made in the US House.

I am unfamiliar with the Oregon House's specific rules but from context it seems pretty clear accusing fellow lawmakers of blood guilt is against their decorum standard. Facing censure or other punishment for breaking those rules is just.

The Montana Freedom Caucus' statement isn't hypocritical--this representative is allowed to say and do all sorts of things outside the legislature that they're not allowed to say and do (given the rules of decorum and order) within it. The Freedom Caucus saying, in a statement outside of the House floor, that the rep's rhetoric is why violent transgender murders kill children might not be fair or in good taste but it's probably not against the rules (and is, frankly, the same morally as the rep blaming people who don't vote the way he wants for other deaths).

Free Manure While You Wait! said...

".How did it come to pass that corrective and/or mutilating surgery for minors became the great moral crusade of our time?"

That's an easy one. Because the issue of Gay marriage is settled.

And when "gender affirming healthcare" is mandatory for all minors, it's on to sibling marriage. Who are YOU do deny our love?

What we have now is Government via wedge issue. GO TEAMS!!!!11!111!!!!!!!!

Jason said...

As usual, Ann sheds 30 IQ points on all topics involving teh gheys.

Jason said...

As usual, Ann sheds 30 IQ points on all topics involving teh gheys.

Jason said...

I was informed that "elections have consequences."

Jason said...

I was informed that elections have consequences.

Tim said...

She is attempting to legalize the mutilation of children. She should be ostracized. Some things are beyond the pale. Should we also allow legislators to advocate for the return of Jim Crow laws? Better yet, perhaps slavery was not so bad and we should push for repeal of the post Civil War Amendments? No? So why is child mutilation to be off the unimaginable list?

Free Manure While You Wait! said...

"The new oppressed sexual minority. Now, they've been "normalized", next stop peodphilia. After all, wasn't that what "drag queen story hour" was all about?"

What? Are you really gonna sit here and tell us the little kids weren't demanding drag queen story hour? Come on, man. And what little kid isn't totally obsessed with DC Comics new character Circuit Breaker? In our house, that's all the kids ever talk about.

Rafe said...

I’m giving this my “Cruel Neutrality Bullshit” tag.

- Rafe

Robert Cook said...

"I never tire of pointing out that the lefties are nasty little shits. Being so certain, as they are, of their moral superiority, nothing is out of bounds."

- Krumhorn

I always tire but am never surprised observing the limitless, sneering shittiness of the right. Being so bankrupt of honesty, morality or sense of decency, utterly contemptuous of most of humanity, so certain therefore of their superiority to all others, (whom they see as disposable trash), as they are, nothing is out of bounds.

Paul A. Mapes said...

I wish someone would compile a list of doctors who describe surgery for the purpose of removing the reproductive organs of minors to be "gender affirming." It will be quite useful in the coming decade when medical licensing boards decide to crack down on blatant medical malpractice. Such a list will probably be produced first by members of the legal profession who are preparing multi-million-dollar medical malpractice lawsuit against such doctors and the hospitals that allowed them privileges.

Paul A. Mapes said...

I wish someone would compile a list of doctors who describe surgery for the purpose of removing the reproductive organs of minors to be "gender affirming." It will be quite useful in the coming decade when medical licensing boards decide to crack down on blatant medical malpractice. Such a list will probably be produced first by members of the legal profession who are preparing multi-million-dollar medical malpractice lawsuit against such doctors and the hospitals that allowed them privileges.

Paul A. Mapes said...

I wish someone would compile a list of doctors who describe surgery for the purpose of removing the reproductive organs of minors to be "gender affirming." It will be quite useful in the coming decade when medical licensing boards decide to crack down on blatant medical malpractice. Such a list will probably be produced first by members of the legal profession who are preparing multi-million-dollar medical malpractice lawsuit against such doctors and the hospitals that allowed them privileges.

Jim at said...

What we are seeing is that many people on the right are extremist and antithetical to the democratic process.

If you thugs keep it up, you're going to get a lot worse than "antithetical to the democratic process."

Obey the rules everybody else has to abide by, or suffer the consequences. Don't like it? Tough shit.

Drago said...

"A Transgender student at a High School in Riverside, California has assaulted a girl after exposing his genitals and spitting at girls in the girls locker room.

According to a student witness, the transgender boy entered the girls locker room and after being confronted for being in there, spat at a group of girls and exposed his penis to them.

“He spit on my friends that are girls, females. He shows his genitals in the locker room."

A fight then ensued outside between one of the female victims and the Transgender boy.

The Trans student has now been removed from Riverside’s Martin Luther King High School."
Source: KTLA / Fox 11

Inga would call this a "spark of divinity" genital exposure and beatdown of young women and David French would call it a "blessing of liberty".

LLR-democratical Chuck would simply pour another gin and tonic, close his eyes and let the "visuals" transport him.....

FullMoon said...

"..a proposed ban on what doctors call gender-affirming medical care for children"

Really? How many doctors are calling for this "care"?
Whatever happened to "first do no harm?"

Gonna go out on a limb here and suppose vast majority of Doctors would not allow their children to chop off their breasts or their penis.

FullMoon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
pacwest said...

Like Trump on January 6th?

Anyone who tries to make that comparison is driven by political bias, totally uninformed, or worse.

Put a bullhorn in Trump's mouth, place him on the Senate floor, encouraging the disruption of proceedings and you would be partway there. But that's not what happened on 1/6 is it? If you were just trying to be clever you missed the mark by about a mile and a half.

It is a good indication of how some people have been taken in though.

Narayanan said...

are there no exception for situations provided in 'law' regarding 'gender surgery'?

FullMoon said...

Once again a reminder to all red-staters, it is not influx of Californicators turning your state blue, it is your children and grandchildren. They are the ones who voted for this darling.

Inga said...

“Inga would call this a "spark of divinity" genital exposure and beatdown of young women and David French would call it a "blessing of liberty".”

A Moscow trained propagandist would say something like this.

Inga said...

“How long before Inga announces her tranny new name?”

How long before your grandson announces his tranny new name?

lonejustice said...

Known Unknown said...

"Like Fox News, Althouse kind of hates her audience."

I disagree. This is her blog. She is not required to kowtow to the people who leave comments here.

Inga said...

“Put a bullhorn in Trump's mouth, place him on the Senate floor, encouraging the disruption of proceedings and you would be partway there. But that's not what happened on 1/6 is it?”

Trump sent his stupid minions to the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the Presidential election. He may as well have been there with a bull horn. Is there no limit to the pathetic excuses for Trump’s actions?

lonejustice said...

Known Unknown said...

"Like Fox News, Althouse kind of hates her audience."

I disagree. This is her blog. She is not required to kowtow to the views of the people who leave comments here. Go start your own blog if you don't like it here.

alanc709 said...

The left has gone truly insane. Jan 6 was more peaceful than any Walmart in a Dem-controlled city, but Trump is what we need to worry about. I give up on Althouse. I'm tired of her snobbish answers and trite poses and unwillingness to consider any news source other than the approved elite sources.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

Robert Cook -
Ron DeSantis passes laws that protect children.
You call him a "thug", all the time.

Inga calls people who protect children "extremists"





pacwest said...

He may as well have been there with a bull horn.

But that isn't what happened is it? I know your not a facts based person, but c'mon.

pacwest said...

Trump sent his stupid minions to the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the Presidential election. He may as well have been there with a bull horn. Is there no limit to the pathetic excuses for Trump’s actions?

Biden sent the illegal immigrants he let in to rape several women and children. Given his support for sexual deviance he might as well have had a bullhorn standing near the horrendous acts yelling "Stroke, Stroke!". You're an idiot.

Yancey Ward said...

Hard to tell what the facts here are- is the Montana House open to the public during debate on the floor? If so, and if that audience were the cause of the disruption, then remove those people from House building altogether. Now, were the disruptors other Democrats in the Montana House? If so, then that might explain why Zephyr was banned from the floor (though I assume she still gets to vote). Were the disruptors Zephyr's staff or other Democratic staff people? If so, then that would explain why Zephyr was banned from the floor. I am assuming that the reports are accurate that Zephyr was encouraging the discord. There are rules in such institutions, and you break them you can be expelled completely in most of them, though not always by simple majority votes.

I suspect, like most of the stories reported by the expulsion of the two Democrats from the Tennessee House a few weeks back, the truth is different than what is being reported in the mainstream media, so I will need to see some actual proof that Zephyr's ban wasn't appropriate.

Doug said...

Althouse defends any oddball who will stick his thumb in the eyes of the normies. And this"her" bullshift is getting tiresome. It's a dude, a female impersonator, and a mentally unbalanced sicko. You play along with that nonsense, and you are complicit in their sick behavior.

Doug said...

As usual, Ann sheds 30 IQ points on all topics involving teh gheys.
Althouse despises the normies. How dare they not love and celebrate her gay son and all the deviant fellow travelers in the alphabet Mafia?

Drago said...

Russia Collusion Truther and Hillary/FBI Hoax Dossier Dead Ender Inga: "A Moscow trained propagandist would say something like this."

The BlueAnon NPC's like Inga are incapable of learning.

She literally still believes in the collusion hoax AND in the debunked dossier!

Oh, as an FYI, the "spark of divinity" comment originates from Inga's proud support of Nancy Pelosi when Pelosi defended the 2 MS13 machete murderers of 2 NY high schoolers.

The 2 illegal alien MS13 machete murderers hacked the 2 high school girls to pieces. Trump had the parents of those 2 murdered girls attend a State of Union address where the democrats booed them and Inga refused to even say the names of the murdered girls...because she was too busy proclaiming the "spark of divinity" of the murderers.

Sort of puts the 335,000 unaccompanied minors at the border in stark relief as well, doesnt it?

Josephbleau said...

“How long before Inga announces her tranny new name?”

How long before your grandson announces his tranny new name?"

How triumphal Inga! THE FUTURE BELONGS TO ME!!!

Gusty Winds said...

Control of language and terms is everything.

Gender Confusion has now become Gender Affirming. Modern American Medicine has figured out how to make money off "affirming" the "confusion".

It is an amazing rhetorical talent owned by the left.

Even though they are reforming a kid's God given gender, they claim to be affirming it...as if the confusion was always in play and they are just helping finish an already determined direction. Everyone throughout history was just putting up roadblocks.

"Affirmation" they're not changing anything. They are only validating it. That's fucked up.

Drago said...

Inga: "Trump sent his stupid minions to the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the Presidential election. He may as well have been there with a bull horn. Is there no limit to the pathetic excuses for Trump’s actions?"

LOL

Sit back and read that little Soviet Snippet again.

Trump "may as well" have done something...that he didnt do.

"Is there no limit to the pathetic excuses for Trump's actions?"...except Trump didnt commit those "actions". Those "actions" never happened.

Just like the hoax collusion and the hoax dossier.

RideSpaceMountain said...

"He may as well have been there with a bull horn."

BUT HE WASNT FUCKING THERE WITH A BULLHORN. I know you nutcases like to think that Twitter is real life and words are violence Inga, but could you please re-read what you just wrote and describe - in detail - this association between a physical situation in the real world and 140 characters that you just made?

This is infuriating. He wasn't fucking there with a bullhorn. Your entire argument is asinine and without logical or legal merit whatsoever. I hardly ever call people out on this blog, but you make this same dumb false equivalency every single time and it's wrong every single time.

Michael K said...

The dullard imagining again.

Trump sent his stupid minions to the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the Presidential election. He may as well have been there with a bull horn. Is there no limit to the pathetic excuses for Trump’s actions?

You ignore evidence and imagine that others will accept your bullshit.

Michael K said...

Blogger Robert Cook said...

"I never tire of pointing out that the lefties are nasty little shits. Being so certain, as they are, of their moral superiority, nothing is out of bounds."

- Krumhorn

I always tire but am never surprised observing the limitless, sneering shittiness of the right


Yes, lock them all up in concentration camps like your idol Stalin did.

As I recall (I haven't read it in years) the members of the Brave New World were certain of their virtue and those we would call normal were sequestered in the southwest. In order to get ahead of Cook's malignant plans for the normals, I moved to Arizona a few years ago,

Anna Keppa said...

lonejustice said...
Known Unknown said...

"Like Fox News, Althouse kind of hates her audience."

"I disagree. This is her blog. She is not required to kowtow to the views of the people who leave comments here. Go start your own blog if you don't like it here."
*******************

No one's asking her to "kowtow". Her "cruel neutrality" runs only ONE WAY, and if she throws her biases out there disingenuously pretending she's only asking questions, it's our right and duty to challenge her.

Unlike you---a cringeing sycophant who seems to be lining up to offer a .. backrub.

Inga said...

“Sit back and read that little Soviet Snippet again.”

A Moscow trained propagandist likes to deflect by throwing around the word “Soviet”. Telling.

Known Unknown said...

"I disagree. This is her blog. She is not required to kowtow to the views of the people who leave comments here. Go start your own blog if you don't like it here."

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Mind read much? I never said she should kowtow (cultural appropriation!) or not. I could care less what Althouse thinks about me or anyone else here.

Anna Keppa said...

Doug said...
"As usual, Ann sheds 30 IQ points on all topics involving teh gheys.
Althouse despises the normies. How dare they not love and celebrate her gay son and all the deviant fellow travelers in the alphabet Mafia?"

Anyone notice how Althouse allows Inga to fling snot and spew mindless shit, year after year? Ditto Chuck?

Thing is, they're "her" totalitarian assholes, so they get a pass.

At bottom that's what her "cruel neutrality" is all about. Promote the totalitarians, suppress the people who just want limited government and to be left the hell alone.

She's a 21st century Madame Defarge.





Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Nice thread guys!

Drago said...

I see lonejustice is pulling his own version of his pal LLR-democratical Chuck's cringey Eddie Haskell routine with Althouse.

How utterly....predictable and expected.

Drago said...

Russia Collusion Truther and Hillary/FBI Hoax Dossier Dead Ender Inga: "A Moscow trained propagandist likes to deflect by throwing around the word “Soviet”. Telling."

Is Putin in the room with you right now?

Big Mike said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Big Mike said...

There are two things wrong with the Orwellian-named “gender-affirming medical care.” The first is the irreversibility. A child persuaded to undergo these surgeries — euphemistically describe as “treatments” — cannot later decide that they were wrong, and they want to go back to being a boy or revert to womanhood. Perhaps this resonates with me because it’s a basic principle of good software design that one’s code should never do anything that cannot easily be backed out (aka the lesson of Unix rm */*). And as a corollary, when something cannot be reversed, then double check with the user before executing the operation. No double checks with parents before life-altering surgery? Wrong. Just plain wrong. Wrong bordering on evil and probably over the line.

My second objection revolves around reports that the children undergoing these surgeries are mostly children on the autistic spectrum. Many such children are eager to please adults, and thus are easy targets for unscrupulous, manipulative teachers with an agenda.

This is probably a good place to note that many of the doctors cited by the Times who use the terminology “gender-affirming medical care” are, in fact, making a considerable income from these surgeries.

Having divided the question, I’d like to turn to Zephyr’s efforts to whip up a mob. The Althouse of 2011 seemed at the time to recognize that mob rule is wrong. The Althouse of 2023 seems much more sanguine about left-wing mobs and chaos. Did Dobbs disturb her that much? Is it just the ambience of Madison? I don’t know, or much care. People who resort to mob rule, and people who enable them — like Althouse, despite her reference to 2011 — are not good people. And I choose to side with the good people.

To me, the reference to Donald Trump is just blowing smoke. He explicitly called for a peaceful demonstration on January 6, and anyone who tries to say otherwise is being at best easily duped, at worst utterly mendacious. But as I have noted in comments here on this blog going back into 2021, it strikes me that Trump is lacking in very basic political acumen, and IMHO he should not have gone there in the first place. Once in office he was able to translate his out-of-the-box thinking and financial acuity into macroeconomic policies that are a stark contrast to the policies of both his predecessor (whose “L-shaped recovery” meant no recovery at all) and the policies of his successor (inflation not seen for 40 years coupled with over a half million people laid off from over 700 companies since last October). But he does strike me as not “getting” retail politics at all, nor has he hired people who do. This is concerning for 2024, to say the least.

And, finally, Althouse writes “The Republicans look bad excluding Zephyr.” Madam can you explain why anyone should care whether we Republicans look bad to you? It’s hard to imagine you ever voting Republican (Mitt Romney doesn’t count). My judgement, as a formerly politically active Republican, is that for the amount of effort it would take to persuade you, personally, to vote Republican we could persuade tens of thousands of Hispanics to vote for us. So why wouldn’t we do that instead?

wendybar said...

Hey Chucky,

YOU, as a Progressive ass, should know that calling people RETARDS is frowned upon. YOU should look in the mirror.

Tina Trent said...

Bruce Hayden is right. Most of the legislative censure and silencing I've witnessed is intra-party, not inter-party, to borrow the definitions from crime.

But Democrats allow their pet activists to disrupt and act out, while Republicans don't. This is an enormous difference. Democrats encourage infantile, violent, screeching behavior. Republicans, if anything, bend over backwards to permit such antics from the other side. It's nice to see some pushback.

Like Jan. 6? Sure. Now do Code Pink. Now do ANTIFA. Now do BLM. Now do the so-called Poor People's Party. I could go on.

Ancient Mariner said...

TO BIG MIKE: Could not agree more. Well put.

Robert Cook said...

”Ron DeSantis passes laws that protect children.”

Such as…?

Robert Cook said...

’I always tire but am never surprised observing the limitless, sneering shittiness of the right’

“Yes, lock them all up in concentration camps like your idol Stalin did.”


I never said or suggested any such thing. You, being a right-wing of fascist (and childish) temperament, of course think that way and assume others do as well.

Gahrie said...

YOU, as a Progressive ass, should know that calling people RETARDS is frowned upon.

The term mentally retarded is a scientific term created to replace the former scientific terms of idiot (IQ of 25 and below), moron (IQ of 26-50) and imbecile (IQ of 51-70), which had become commonly used insults. Quite quickly people began to use the term retard as an insult. Apparently now the current politically correct term is intellectually disabled.

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Robert Cook said...
”Ron DeSantis passes laws that protect children.”

Such as…?


1: The Parent's Rights in Education law, the protects kindergarteners from being sexually groomed by scum bags who got teaching positions

2: Laws preventing doctors from chemically castrating / surgically mutilating kids.

Putting kids on puberty blockers as "gender affirming care" is child abuse. There is not the slightest shred of scientific justification for doing it, it's solely about either pushing a political agenda, or else making money.

There are NO knowledgable people of good faith pushing "gender affirming care" for minors.
The "research" "supporting" "gender affirming care" is all either trash (the Seattle study, for example) or retracted (https://segm.org/ajp_correction_2020)

If you are a person of good faith, then get educated, and stop being a monster. Drugging / surgically mutilting kids who think they're "trans" does not help the kids. It does not lower their suicide rate. All it does is create failed human being who will never be normal, or functional

Robert Cook said...

@Greg the Class Traitor:

Who says any of your list of "dangers" Dos Santos is trying to prevent is a real danger to children? Teachers who are inclined to be actual child molesters will not be stopped by these laws; these laws simply reduce the extent to which teachers can actually teach substantive material when getting into the upper grades and reading of literature or discussion of history or current events become part of the curriculum. How many teachers are going to assign pornography or near-porn to their students? In the minds of rightwingers, all of them; in reality, none of them.(And how many public school teachers create their own lesson plans and curricula? They usually are just charged to teach what is given them by the local or state schoolboards.)

As for what doctors do, how many are going to chemically castrate children without the consent of the parents? NONE will physically castrate a child without the parents' consent, and perhaps not even then.

These are just hysterical scare stories fed to the fanatic (and/or dumb) public to create a panic, the easier to sway the uninformed to unthinking support of ambitious autocrats. We no longer have a literate, discriminating electorate, but a more and more uninformed mob who respond viscerally only to those who pander to their primitive fears and prejudices.

It goes without saying: a democratic republic cannot survive such an ill-informed, passionate electorate or such a crude level of "See Dick. See Dick rape Jane! See Jane change her gender!" discourse.

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Robert Cook said...
@Greg the Class Traitor:

Who says any of your list of "dangers" Dos Santos is trying to prevent is a real danger to children?


Every sane human being says that

Teachers who are inclined to be actual child molesters will not be stopped by these laws;
That's a great argument against all gun control laws.

However, it's a shitty argument against the Parental Rights in Education law, because it's not just protecting against molesters.

it's protecting against groomers, whether they're grooming for their own later use, or someone else's use.

And even if they're grooming for their own later use, it's the grooming that lets them get away with it, that keeps their victims from turning them in.

Which is why monsters like you are in favor of keeping it going, and why decent human beings want to stop it

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Blogger Robert Cook said...
@Greg the Class Traitor:
hese laws simply reduce the extent to which teachers can actually teach substantive material when getting into the upper grades and reading of literature or discussion of history or current events become part of the curriculum.


Bullshit. You don't need purple haired freaks bragging about their sex lives to kindergarteners in order to be able to discuss "To Kill A Mockingbird" in the 8th grade.

If it's required by the curriculum then it will explicitly BE in the curriculum.

Which means that your bullshit "defense" does not in any way defend "teachers" discussing their personal sex lives with kids, which was the vast majority of what got banned.

And the rest can certainly wait until the 4th grade

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Robert Cook said...
@Greg the Class Traitor:
How many teachers are going to assign pornography or near-porn to their students? In the minds of rightwingers, all of them; in reality, none of them.


if you're going to claim that "Lawn Boy" isn't pornography, then you've established that your'e just a worthless lying sack of shit with nothing of value to offer

So, thank you for so completely destroying your own position

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Robert Cook said...
@Greg the Class Traitor:
As for what doctors do, how many are going to chemically castrate children without the consent of the parents? NONE will physically castrate a child without the parents' consent, and perhaps not even then.


1: CA and WA have passed laws enabling one parent to castrate her children over the opposition of the other parent, so Clearly there are "doctors" who will chemically and surgically castrate and mutilate children without both parents' consent

2: Abusing children with the consent of the parents is still child abuse. That's uncontroversially true with respect to cigarette burns, broken bones, and rape.

And while it's controversial (since the Left are monsters), it's equally true with respect to chemically or surgically sterilizing children.

There is not a single worthwhile study showing that such abuse of children is actually in the child's best interest. By "worthwhile" I mean "carried out in a scientifically valid way". As opposed to conducting a "study" where you throw out most of the available data so you can focus on the few metrics that by random chance can be twisted to support your pre-determined outcome.

The "ill-informed, passionate electorate" is the people supporting the trans delusions, and supporting the groomers of children

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Here, Cookie, I'm going to make it so simple that even someone as stupid and fundamentally dishonest as you are can't fail to understand:

Society is better off if every single child ends up as cis, heterosexual, and doesn't have sex until he or she is physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially able to handle the consequences of having sex


ANY actions by school employees that encourage kids to be trans, gay, or to have sex earlier are inherently bad

If a kid can grow up to be either gay or straight, then any action to encourage the kid to grow up gay is "grooming".

The same is true for trans v cis

Society does not benefit from having kids put on puberty blockers for "gender" "reason". Society does not benefit from having kids be surgically mutilated and made into people who can't have normal fulfilling sex lives as adults.

DeSantis' laws are fighting to protect the vision I just described. You dont' like that? Then make your vision explicit

But you can't. Because no matter how much of an evil sick and twisted freak you are, you understand that most people don't want that done to their kids, or to other people's kids

and thus you'll never address the actual issues

Greg the Class Traitor said...

This is from a PA school district

https://www.cbsd.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=141295&dataid=215504&FileName=Internal%20Investigation%20Report_Redacted.PDF

Here's from the end of page 5:

Mr. Burgess’s initial efforts to derail policies that he disliked could only do so much. Mrs. Saullo was able to communicate with the teaching staff, and the Board, having considered the issue, adopted policies on the age-appropriateness of library and classroom materials, including ones prohibiting visual depictions of sex acts,


but Cookie insists that no teachers ever want to share any pornography with students!!11!