Why the GOP IS the root of all evil...

[nw30]

[coboardhead]

[mrgybe]

More piety about first world problems. Why don't we devote our energy to first help two billion people get access to clean water so that they don't suffer and die from dire intestinal problems? Or how about the half billion who contract malaria, and the million who die from it every year? We could even consider the plight of 65 million refugees, or 20 million victims of human trafficking as more pressing than the largely psychological issues of a tiny segment of the population. I suppose that people who are invisible to the average American just aren't as trendy.

[coboardhead]

I completely agree Mrgybe. Why do so many of the right wingers worry about what bathroom someone is using when there are bigger problems in the world?. I know it is trendy, but these conservative's time and efforts could be better spent in other areas that may have a real effect on people's lives.

Maybe we should add some other "real" issues to the list.

How about the 13000 premature deaths a year from coal fired power plants? Or, perhaps the 24 million people who will lose health insurance if the far right has their way? I know...not trendy.

[mrgybe]

It is those on the left who raised and continually press the topic, and it was Obama who elevated it it to a national priority. Here's why that was a bad idea and deserved a response from the right......

Onset of cross-gender interests and activities is usually between ages 2 and 4 years, and some parents report that their child has always had cross-gender interests. Only a very small number of children with gender dysphoria will continue to have symptoms in later adolescence or adulthood. Typically, children are referred around the time of school entry because of parental concern that what they regarded as a phase does not appear to be passing.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/gender-dysphoria

The large majority of children will just grow out of it so don't give every public school child the clear signal that it is perfectly normal, and is a pressing issue. It is neither. Focus on what is important even at the expense of smug superiority.

[coboardhead]

Why worry about something that only affects a minority of our citizens? A big issue for a small number of people should be swept under the rug? And, the right should make a big fuss over this?

Sorry mrgybe I cannot subscribe to this. If we continue to teach our children that they are wrong for not conforming when they cannot or that it is O.K to discriminate against a minority because they are different we cannot teach them empathy. Without this empathy, providing resources and technology for the development of safe drinking water, providing for the plight of refugees, and prevention of diseases in far off lands will not be important.

Since the subject is the GOP. What do you think Trump is going to do to help provide safe drinking water and reduce deaths due to malaria; or, closer to home the deaths due to power plants? How about starving children?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-budget-food-clean-water-funding_us_58ca1297e4b0ec9d29d8a9a1

[mrgybe]

You keep (deliberately?) getting the equation bass ackwards. The left and their obedient media raised this is a hot topic right after they had notched up the gay marriage success and needed another righteous cause. Obama reinforced that by issuing mandates to every public school in the country. The whole matter was blown way out of proportion and many on the right, correctly in my view, said "this is ridiculous". This "controversy" was manufactured by the left who raised its profile beyond all reason and merely served to confuse impressionable children. The isolated cases of real distress should have been dealt with discreetly and locally.

I have no intention of being drawn into other fruitless debate about what Trump will or won't do. However, I would point out that the last Republican President, George Bush, did more for Africa than any other President, including his African American successor. Actions rather than smugness. Oh, those heartless Republicans! If only they could have the same empathy as Democrats!

[coboardhead]

True that the Obama Administration interpretation of Title IV is that it applies to transgender students. It is also true that school systems were struggling with how to provide safeguards for TG students prior to the Obama Administration interpretation.

A responsible government (god knows it is large enough) should respond.

One of Trump's first actions was to undo this interpretation. This was playing to his base.

Would I have rather seen Trump devote his first days in office to something of greater significance...you bet. Would I rather see the new GOP act a bit more like the old GOP...you bet.

Do you believe the GOP is even the same party it was in 2002?

[mac]

After arguing that Hillary's foundation was a conflict of interest--but Tillerson's arguing against Russian sanctions over a huge oil deal was not a conflict of interest, and that Tillerson's systematic use of a secret e-mail to communicate about climate change was not dishonest, gybe is back to arguing in favor of discrimination. Thoroughly hateful--discrimination on the basis of religious views.

Back to conflicts of interest--the Exxon deal was worth $500 billion:
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/world/europe/rex-tillersons-company-exxon-has-billions-at-stake-over-russia-sanctions.html?_r=0


As to Tillerson and his dishonesty, here from Politifact:

[MalibuGuru]

Since science is important, a person with functioning testicles, a penis, and a vagina should consider itself lucky...However functioning testicles and a penis should only use the mens room.

Now that Jenner has undergone the removal surgery, he should be allowed use of the Women's room. Non functionality in the plumbing should be allowed a choice.