I must admit I am struggling with this. I have friends that may only know visually the extent of my being transgender. I have never directly outed myself, although my change in appearance over the years is self-evident. How could the not know is a good question.
I have one friend who is Republican and fully supported Trump in the election. Occasionally our conversations bring up politics although we seem to talk around it, never going for a deep dive. Family stuff, home projects, cars, work and sports predominate.
I am becoming more aware of his FOX indoctrination with a comment recently on there only being two genders. I did challenge the notion but did not go full-on with the scientific reasons this is mis-information.
I wish I could ignore this and believe that he is entitled to his own thoughts the same as I. However, I am not sure that letting this pass is my option. Empowering mis-information and hate is causing my friends and myself to lose rights. I may have to speak my mind. This may cause me to lose a long term friend.
Have you lost or distanced yourself from friend in the current political climate. Please, your thoughts.
I've noticed that a lot of the talking points your friend is bringing up sound like they're straight out of Fox News. I've seen this pattern before, especially during the pandemic. Remember when it first started, and some people were downplaying it as just a "glorified flu"? That was a narrative that was being pushed by some media outlets, and it was completely misleading.
ReplyDeleteI've also seen this happen with other topics, like critical race theory. It was a relatively obscure academic topic, but suddenly it was all over the news, and people were claiming that schools were teaching it everywhere. I even had someone approach me in a diner in New England and tell me that schools were indoctrinating kids with critical race theory. It was completely untrue.
And now, we're seeing the same thing happen with the topic of transgender rights and the idea that there are only two genders. It's like they're taking these issues and spinning them to resonate with their base. Your friend might not even realize where these ideas are coming from, but it's likely they're being influenced by what they're hearing on Fox News.
It's like they have a rotating list of talking points that they switch out every few months. Remember the "war on Christmas" narrative? If someone said "happy holidays," they were suddenly a communist and unpatriotic. It's ridiculous.
I just want to encourage everyone to be critical of the information you're consuming, and to fact-check everything. It's hard to know what to believe these days, but being informed and discerning is crucial.
The assertion that a "liberal mainstream media" holds a monopolistic control over American news is a false narrative, contradicted by the vast reach and influence of conservative media outlets. News Corp, with Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post, along with Sinclair Broadcast Group's extensive network of 294 television stations, and the multitude of popular conservative podcasts and radio shows, demonstrate the significant presence and power of conservative voices in the media landscape. While claims of bias are often leveled against mainstream outlets like CNN and ABC, they regularly feature diverse political viewpoints. The historical context, from the 1800 election to the Trump era, shows that political use and criticism of the media is not a new phenomenon, highlighting the American media's diverse and often contentious nature, which actively allows for many political viewpoints.
Paula G
The correct response in that case is "Yes, I may be a man, but I choose to live as a woman." They can understand that. Regards, Randi
ReplyDeleteI haven’t lost any friends or family members to the cult but have distanced myself from a few acquaintances that have accepted the Trumpish nonsense as gospel. Just over the weekend I spent some time with a shirttail relative who clearly wanted to share all that he had learned about the world from Fox, but I saw it coming and simply diverted his attention with some other shiny object.
ReplyDeleteI've started to believe that we need guardrails on the 1st amendment, forcing all news outlets to report news objectively (remember the "Fairness Doctrine"?) with requirements to base reporting on verifiable information AND to explicitly state opinions as such. Without agreement on what is fact and fiction, how can we pose reasonable arguments for liberalism or conservatism?
ReplyDeleteFox "News" appalls me, as it misleads the masses that identify as conservatives, creating a bubble where people don't challenge the claims of the on-air personalities. No wonder why they spout so much BS about transgender mice - they are not open to ideas that challenge their views of reality. As such, they will do their damnedest to suppress the transgenders in this world, as they are not open to a non-binary world.
Recently, I found out that my cousin's husband is a devout MAGA. You can guess that I'll avoid contact with him, as he could never accept my being TG.....
anybody who buys the total package from MSNBC or FOX is a robot. think for yourself. Those who hate Trump to the extent that they are against these cuts are fools. No nation can exist going deeper and deeper in debt without an eventual flight from our currency and the resulting panic.If you examine some of the absurd expenditures being disclosed I cannot understand opposition. On the other hand the monsters who are pushing this anti-trans stuff are doing so only for political gain. They don't even seem to understand it. Note that Transmen are never mentioned as they do fit the terror being pushed
ReplyDeleteWe should also recognize that part of our problem is the total lack of political acumen of many of our sisters who pushed Transwomen in girl's sports. This was the fuel that the Right fed on.
Bottom line is that if you are a FOX or MSNBC parrot you are lacking in so far as thinking for your self
Emily
“Those who hate Trump to the extent that they are against these cuts are fools.”
DeleteIt's inaccurate and frankly dismissive to label those who criticize government cuts as "fools." Many of these cuts target agencies responsible for crucial areas like commerce, public safety, and environmental protection. These reductions are often presented as necessary for fiscal responsibility, but they can be a misguided attempt at saving money.
The recent firings of nuclear engineers and their subsequent rehiring in a panic highlight the potential risks of short-sighted budget cuts.
The firing of 16 inspectors general, whose role was to ensure the government's adherence to the law, raises concerns about a weakening of oversight and accountability.
Recent firings at the Togus VA hospital here in Maine have left veterans lying in their beds unattended, highlighting a critical staffing shortage.
If the true goal is to reduce spending effectively, a more critical examination of the military budget, which far surpasses that of any other Western power, would be a more impactful area to address.
Additionally, the long-term economic impact of tax cuts over the past two decades, which were supposed to spur significant tax revenue growth but haven't delivered as promised, warrants closer scrutiny.
Instead of broadly cutting essential agencies and systems, a more strategic and targeted approach to government spending is needed.
“Bottom line is that if you are a FOX or MSNBC parrot you are lacking in so far as thinking for your self”
My father once told me some people can’t see the thought the trees. Trump and project 2025 clearly outlined theses cuts long ago. Many men and women fought for our country. This is the thanks they get. Trump went so far as to call them dumbasses. Wait more cuts are on the horizon. Education Welfare and Social Security.
ReplyDelete1st time reading your site. Interesting the "essential services" are now dragged out. the usual excuse to allow us to go deeper in the hole. where were you all when the tax cuts to stimulate the economy were wiped out by massive spending increases? Social Security is also in trouble within less than a decade .To me-that is "essential" not retaining a Dept of Education which has overseen a steady decline in student performance since its inception
ReplyDeletesorry but Logic 101 dictates that the use of the Togus VA etc is meaningless as you cannot prove your overall premise by the example of individual screw ups.
ReplyDeletealso-the past tax cuts applied to everyone -not just the rich and nobody really benefited since the reckless spending we have experienced led to a devalued currency through inflation
Hey Rhonda, back on your site again. Hopefully not weird. Wanted to know if you saw the headline about U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes blocking some of Trump's actions. I am sorry that you and many others feel upset right now. I feel bad that others are feeling bad. Never a good thing. While I'll never face the exact issues as you, I experience some similar to an extent. It's no wonder I refused to vote in this election. As a Gay Male (with long, thick hair, so adored by my Grandma that throughout my childhood I had my hair done at her salon) I will give praise where it is due and I thank Obama and Biden for protecting people like us. On another note I can't wrap my head around over a decade of on and off homelessness where some nights I was in my car and some out on a cold hard ground outside. No update on my Housing assistance. The one I signed up for had me as #78 on the wait list. At this rate I'll be dead before the Government gets around to securing a roof over my head. Or how about me being disabled my entire life. Having special Ed services in vas public schools. Having social security review the legitimate evidence And say no check for you! Umm.. ok then. Weird as can be, in my opinion. Yes I have certain abilities. But I'm limited and can't do everything an adult can do. Most but not all. Some days I wonder would it be easier to just, no longer exist. The Government makes me feel as though I don't matter but foreign countries do? I do matter. Just like my Grandma living in third world conditions until your Grandma got her on her way to the socio economic status that she deserved. I never met your Grandma but somehow I feel as though I did. What a blessing how she bridged gaps for people to give them the life they deserved. Why do we have to live lives like this in a county that's touted as the best in the world? I'm so confused right now. apparently this nation wants me to pick a side. Why? So I can accomplish prioritizing America First or my rights as a Gay person, but not both? This is mind boggling to me. Perhaps you think my acceptance of one particular Red policy means I'm not a friend. But the truth is that, just a short paragraph on the General Store makes me think you are one of the coolest people in the family tree though we are kind of strangers. Please hang in there, your feelings make total sense and I'm encountering many other people I know who are upset now. I can no longer make sense of our two party system and I likely should not even be posting this comment but somehow I landed on your site before bed. Every day without my Grandma things come up and it hits me, my favorite human is gone. Your stories about the past literally means the world to me. when I saw your daughters I thought wow they look very cool And Barbie-esque. My grandma preferred girls unfortunately for me, I can just hear her voice saying "those girls are realleh pretteh." That thick accent! I don't want to be you per se because I am my own unique individual self but I admire the success you seem to have had in life. You look too elegant to be from a little town like that! Please never stop posting about past Stories. Makes my day especially considering how bad I hurt on a daily basis. Let me remember who I am and deal. We are tough people. No orange man with an annoying voice can ever break us. Take care, Chris
ReplyDeleteMy Canadian heart goes out to all of you. Not smugly, as we could be just on election away from a hard right turn. Rhonda, you seem to have great strength and are an inspiration. I have every confidence that you will find a good path through your tough conversations. Much love, Bobbi
ReplyDelete