37 Comments

I didn’t expect to listen to the entire podcast but there was so much specific and useful information that I stayed with the whole thing.

As a Democrat from my first vote in 1972 until I became Independent in 2016, this issue is ethically inescapable for me. I know when something smells of corruption and dishonesty from top to bottom, and gender-identity as a political and pseudo-scientific lens simply reeks of doctrinaire reasoning and monetary incentives. When I hear an “expert” repeatedly dodge a reasonable yes/no question to avoid admitting that’s she’s got no tool but a hammer and thus sees every kid as a nail, those kids are not in good hands. She should lose her professional credentials and be banned from practicing. As should, I’m afraid, a host of psychologists, counselors, and doctors. At the same time, drug companies profiting obscenely from the hormone trade foisted on kids need to be investigated and severely punished.

To be clear, I see this as a capitalist issue coupled with a madness issue. Democrats appear to have lost their minds on gender, and I don’t have confidence that Republicans will be willing to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry. Unlike 99.99% of Democrats, I’m an actual Marxist. I don’t trust either major party and getting my trust at this point is likely beyond the ability of either one. But if I were a single issue voter, this one would win my vote for the GOP.

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I too am a lifelong Democrat, just missed being able to vote in 72 but handed out McGovern leaflets door to door.

I am now a single-issue voter. I cast my first vote for a Republican in 2022, and I will continue to vote straight Republican as long as the Democrats maintain their commitment to the crime against humanity of mutilating and sterilizing of children.

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I'm a bit younger than you (my first vote was for Obama in 2012), and I had the "pleasure" of spending my life in the queer community (the gay community was no longer a thing by the time I was self-aware.

What happened was, in short, some straight men with fetishes - motivated by narcissistic resentement - flew under the radar, attacked academics, took over gay NGO's, and then poisoned two generations of gay and bi youth.

The sheer /hatred/ for "passing" trans people, young gays and lesbians, from this crowd - now our "elders" since the gays left the building - is palpable.

They need to be destroyed at all costs. 2024 will be my first vote for the GOP.

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I'd like for someone who knows the details of this story to refer me to where it is written down or write it themselves. Can you suggest someone who is able to tell it or tell it yourself?

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I'd gladly write this up.

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Same. This story is frequently repeated on Twitter, but I'm not sure how anecdotal it is. It comports with my instincts, but having never been part of the community, I don't know for sure.

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Thank you for this highly accurate a succinct description of what I saw happening in the"gay&lesbian" community in 2004 both online and in my small prairie city. I too am a single issue voter.

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I do appreciate OP's perspective wrt the inability of the GOP to meaningfully confront big pharma. Thing is, this is about revenge. Too many friends of mine - almost all from conservative backgrounds - were ruined by the orgs that were supposed to help them navigate coming out, integrating into life as a gay man or lesbian. All for some fat AGP's jollies.

This is about revenge.

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I'm a sort of independent, sort of Republican who's both scared and grateful that there's actually an issue we all agree on.

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Updated the intro on the audio -- you may be want to redownload

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Past time to remove tax exempt status for ALL NGOs, charities, think tanks, C3s, higher Ed., etc.

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I would appreciate if listeners share the timestamps of their favorite moments so I can post excerpts on Twitter

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Donna Campbell questioning Megan Mooney

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I've listened to most of this. A wonderfully discerning and informative dialogue. I can't tell you how important these conversations are to me. Just knowing that you guys are on it, deeply invested in it and deeply informed about the issues, helps keep me sane. I can't believe I'm the only one who has this reaction. For example: the way Leor sketched out who the contemporary Republican party contains--the wide range, from hard crazies at one extreme to what I might call lapsed or extruded progressives who realize that on certain issue they need to make a temporary accommodation or alliance with the R's. I've always voted D, but have come to consider myself an Independent over the past decade--and now recognize myself in Leor's sketch. Incredibly enlightening, the way you shared a bit of the testimony from the head of the TPA (the trans-affirming pschologist) and then, very clearly and reasonably, took her testimony apart. This particular dialogue helped remind me why I'm a subscriber. Yes: crazy-long, but every bit of it shows active thought and serious dialogue. Please continue.

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Fantastic conversation. Please talk to him again.....

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Great conversation.

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Jazz Jenning was born October 6, 2000....she underwent genital surgery before 18.

"In an interview published in the April 11, 2018, issue of People, Jennings said that, per her surgeons' instructions, she had lost at least 30 pounds (14 kg) in order to have gender reassignment surgery, which was scheduled for June 20, 2018.[48] The surgery was successful,[49] but was followed by complications that required another procedure.[50] The surgery was performed by Dr. Jess Ting and Dr. Marci Bowers."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_Jennings

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Jazz Jennings is male and should be referred to with male pronouns.

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Faith + interest = movement.

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This was an outstanding conversation. Thank you so much for making it widely available!

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Awesome

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This is hilarious.

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I think it's a misunderstanding of the role of interest groups like the ACLU to believe they have to be responsible or responsive to public opinion in any direct way. Often, their role is to encourage change in public opinion, policies, legislation, the law and society in general. Of course, over time they can gain or lose influence due to the ebb and flow of public opinion, the rightness or wrongness , consistency or inconsistency of their positions, their public reputation and the donors they win or lose. I don't think there are forces that inherently impel them to radicalism. The opposite can certainly occur. One can certainly be critical of the ACLU's current position on gender issues but to argue that the cure is to make the ACLU bend to public sentiment is reactionary and dangerous. That's not at all what the ACLU or any advocate for change should do.

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While there is risk in “bending” the ACLU to public opinion, the greater risk is the ACLU bending public policy without any accountability to the public. Such groups should have no access or rights in directly shaping public policy.

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Rousseau is smiling in his grave

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Wow! Your story is so powerful! I love what you say about outfoxing the clinics, the MD’s, etc.! Yes, this can be done! And how true that this breaks families apart and marriages! It is so evil! It sure gives us all a powerful look into human nature too!

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deletedAug 19, 2023·edited Aug 19, 2023
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Wow! I am so very happy for you and your daughter! This is a bullet dodged! OH my God! This is the issue of our day and I too am on a mission to end this insanity! It is so gratifying and heartening to head success stories such as yours!!!

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deletedAug 19, 2023·edited Aug 19, 2023
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I am hoping that you find some much-needed peace now!

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