Peter Kropotkin wrote: ↑Wed Mar 29, 2023 7:06 pm
K: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING? right, Ron DeSantis attack on trans/ drag queens is nothing but shrill and emotional...calls for the death of gays/trans people by the right is shrill and emotional... for example, Robert Foster of Mississippi has called for the death of transgender people by a firing squad..
another example, a Michael Knowles said and I quote
"For the good of society,.. transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely"
Oh I think you are very mistaken. First, De Santis is comparable to a Liberal of just a few years back. There is very little that is radical at all. Again, the Progressive Left has moved so far to strange extremes that even those who are Centrists now feel alienated. They cannot relate, nor accept, the radicalism of the present. And that radicalism then makes Centrism look like 'ultra-right radicalism'.
I think you would do well to understand that those who are labeled Right-Wing and Extreme Right are really not that at all. The ideas and opinions of those in your own lineage (2 generations back) likely held to ideas and opinions that would be described today as Ultra-rightist.
I also think you are wrong when you define those 'attacks' on trans-sexualism as 'shrill and emotional'. And also consider that this expressed idea: "For the good of society … transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely" is an idea with a sound philosophical and sociological base. I think you are confusing strongly held idea and opinions, backed up with solid and defensible reasoning, with shrill emotionalism.
The idea he (Knowles) expresses would likely be clarified in some longer statement or perhaps an essay. But those who are inclined to shrill emotionalism mis-hear or twist-hear what he has said and rephrase it as a call to 'genocide'.
Do you now understand what hysteria and shrill emotionalism do?
Now, let's take what Robert Foster said:
"Some of y'all still want to try and find political compromise with those that want to groom our school aged children and pretend men are women, etc. I think they need to be lined up against wall before a firing squad to be sent to an early judgment."
What he has made a strong statement about is directed to those who *groom* children. Grooming (of children) for sexual abuse is a real thing. It goes on a lot. And it is pretty hideous when manifest in prostitution rings. Perhaps you are of a different opinion but I think most recognize the grooming of children as 'abuse'.
Now, if an average parent discovered that someone was grooming their child I can assure you their reaction would be justifiable harsh. In former times the pervert would get shot and very few questions would be asked.
But today the 'grooming' of children takes a peculiar form. Taking children to sexually explicit shows, or allowing them to dress up in drag and to receive dollar bills from men (homosexuals I gather) in the bar or club, is presented as 'harmless' or anything else but what it actually is: sexual manipulation and grooming.
So I do not find it hard to empathize with the man's sentiments if grooming is defined as I have defined it. And I have defined it fairly, accurately, and without resorting to shrilly expressed emotionalism. The
adamancy of the man's opinions is one thing. It is distinct I think from the shrill emotionalism I describe.
sexual manipulation and grooming.
Let's get down to the brass tacks, the clarification will help you. It is true, as true as rain, that some people regard drag, odd sexual practices, and sexual attitudes or behaviors that are presented to children when they are children, as being AOK. No problem! Not an issue. I see that, I understand that.
But what you will have to face is that there is a wide swath of people who do not accept that, and certainly will not accept you intruding your ideas and your *values* (such as they are) onto
their children. These are issues of the Culture Wars certainly, but this has moved to
another level. If you cannot register the seriousness that these parents perceive (which I personally also support) I certainly cannot help you and I will not be able to influence you.