Society Needs a Collective ‘Time Out’

An article in yesterday’s New York Times got me thinking. It described the latest round of something we see constantly these days: speakers (usually conservative) being shouted down or denied a platform altogether by (usually “progressive”) students or activists. The right does this too, though in their case it’s often more institutionalized than ad hoc. Examples include the expulsion this week of two Tennessee state representatives or … Continue reading Society Needs a Collective ‘Time Out’

On the Texas Attack Against Women & Abortion Rights

A new Texas law took effect [Wednesday, September 1], a brute-force frontal attack against women by depriving them any reasonable exercise of their right to abortion. The law bans all abortions at 6 weeks following a woman’s last menstrual period, not the point of conception. In practical terms the prohibition can take effect in even less than six weeks of a pregnancy. The law also … Continue reading On the Texas Attack Against Women & Abortion Rights

The Conundrum: Trans Rights vs Women’s Rights

There are two aspects to the transgender debate that trouble me most. First is the all-too-frequent rejection of transgender people’s lives and experiences. Their very lives are discounted as unscientific and delusion. The counterpart in my world are those who insist I’m gay because I choose to be, like choosing tea instead of coffee. I can’t imagine transgender people would put themselves through all the … Continue reading The Conundrum: Trans Rights vs Women’s Rights