Ohio, pulled in two directions (Columbus, Cleveland: insurance, attorneys, professionals)

[WVNomad]

Originally Posted by ohioaninsc

Exactly...and one party wants to take the country back to puritan rule while the other one wants to make life better for everyone.

Republicans make mountains out of mole hills to scare their idiot voters...hence their war on transgenders...making it it impossible for someone w/ gender dysphoria to seek proper medical treatment because they don't like it is just absolutely evil...yet that's exactly what the GOP controlled House and Senate are doing...even DeWine, who I have no respect for and think has been a terrible governor saw the horror of this bill and attempted to do the right thing...I even thought his executive order went too far in my opinion but was a decent attempt to moderate it.
They make a big deal about trans athletes...but how many are their really? Maybe 5 in the whole state at any given time?

I'm a pretty progressive person, and on balance, I support things like medical treatment for all individuals with gender dysphoria, but I'm, not unsympathetic to people who are troubled by such policies especially as they relate to children. These are consequential physical and psychological decisions with potentially significant negative consequences. Characterizing those who oppose such treatments for minors as "evil" is inappropriate.

Regarding trans athletes, I suspect a Republican could use your same argument to say why is this a big deal. They are like 5 people in the whole state this impacts---so restricting their access to athletics has a microscopic impact---and why should we disrupt an entire sports competition of genetic females to accommodate these exceptional circumstances? I don't necessarily agree with that, but I think there is a reasonable case to be made that allowing trans athletes to compete can impact the outcome of a sporting event, and that upsets the balance of equity that has traditionally existed.

Having said all of that, the hateful rhetoric of some Republicans does make it hard to be sympathetic with their views. All one has to do is read some of the "passionate" posts here to see that.

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by WVNomad

I'm a pretty progressive person, and on balance, I support things like medical treatment for all individuals with gender dysphoria, but I'm, not unsympathetic to people who are troubled by such policies especially as they relate to children. These are consequential physical and psychological decisions with potentially significant negative consequences. Characterizing those who oppose such treatments for minors as "evil" is inappropriate.

Regarding trans athletes, I suspect a Republican could use your same argument to say why is this a big deal. They are like 5 people in the whole state this impacts---so restricting their access to athletics has a microscopic impact---and why should we disrupt an entire sports competition of genetic females to accommodate these exceptional circumstances? I don't necessarily agree with that, but I think there is a reasonable case to be made that allowing trans athletes to compete can impact the outcome of a sporting event, and that upsets the balance of equity that has traditionally existed.

Having said all of that, the hateful rhetoric of some Republicans does make it hard to be sympathetic with their views. All one has to do is read some of the "passionate" posts here to see that.

Well said, esp. your last paragraph.

[Karl Lagos]

Originally Posted by Nichole_Ohio

The truth is that both political parties answer to the same Corporations and Special interest groups. It doesn’t really matter who you vote for! There are very few differences between the 2 parties but those differences only serve to give us the illusion of choice.

Always follow the $$$. Drawing the line at mutilating minor children should at the bare minimum a felony worthy of life in prison. The lawsuits 5 years from now are going to be wild.

[WVNomad]

Originally Posted by Karl Lagos

Always follow the $$$. Drawing the line at mutilating minor children should at the bare minimum a felony worthy of life in prison. The lawsuits 5 years from now are going to be wild.

If a parent chooses not to vaccinate their kids for polio, smallpox, measles, etc. are they worthy of spending their lives in prison?

[woxyroxme]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

Wants to make life better. Doesn't mean they actually do make life better, or ever will.

If anything the libs make my life more difficult, they make life better for one group at the expense of another.

He who robs Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul.

[drinkthekoolaid]

Originally Posted by WVNomad

If a parent chooses not to vaccinate their kids for polio, smallpox, measles, etc. are they worthy of spending their lives in prison?

Better analogy, would be, would the same people allow a 12 year old get a real tattoo?

Answer, of course not. A 12 year old isn't mentally capable of making permanent life choices at that age.

[ohioaninsc]

Originally Posted by WVNomad

I'm a pretty progressive person, and on balance, I support things like medical treatment for all individuals with gender dysphoria, but I'm, not unsympathetic to people who are troubled by such policies especially as they relate to children. These are consequential physical and psychological decisions with potentially significant negative consequences. Characterizing those who oppose such treatments for minors as "evil" is inappropriate.

Regarding trans athletes, I suspect a Republican could use your same argument to say why is this a big deal. They are like 5 people in the whole state this impacts---so restricting their access to athletics has a microscopic impact---and why should we disrupt an entire sports competition of genetic females to accommodate these exceptional circumstances? I don't necessarily agree with that, but I think there is a reasonable case to be made that allowing trans athletes to compete can impact the outcome of a sporting event, and that upsets the balance of equity that has traditionally existed.

Having said all of that, the hateful rhetoric of some Republicans does make it hard to be sympathetic with their views. All one has to do is read some of the "passionate" posts here to see that.

I trust the medical community over politicians...the Medical Community states that w/ proper psychological and medical treatment, that transitioning is the best thing for someone w/ Gender Dysphoria...I do think anyone who opposes that has the child's best interest at heart...that said, I do believe that someone that's underage should have to have parental/guardian support to begin the medical treatment...but those treatments are life saving to someone w/ Gender Dysphoria, therefore they should not be Banned totally like the Puritanical Republicans believe.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by WVNomad

If a parent chooses not to vaccinate their kids for polio, smallpox, measles, etc. are they worthy of spending their lives in prison?

No...but worthy of some form of punishment for contributing to the recurrence of diseases eradicated/nearly eradicated by vaccines that are allowing children to become sick or die due to their "personal freedom" BS.

[KathrynAragon]

I have a problem calling something a vaccine though that doesn't prevent a person from actually GETTING the disease. For instance, I was vaccinated repeatedly and still got COVID. it was mild but I also know many unvaccinated people who got mild cases of COVID. In fact, the only person I knew personally who died of COVID was vaccinated five different times and STILL died of COVID. I only know two people who had the flu this year - both people were vaccinated against the flu. I am just sick of constantly getting vaccinated and yet I still get whatever I was vaccinated for. Ugh. So no thank you when it comes to pneumonia (the only person I know who got pneumonia was already vaccinated against it supposedly), RSV, shingles, you name it.

I am not anti vaccine. In fact, I am pro vaccine. I just want us to call preventive shots, PREVENTIVE SHOTS. not vaccines.

[drinkthekoolaid]

Originally Posted by ohioaninsc

I trust the medical community over politicians...the Medical Community states that w/ proper psychological and medical treatment, that transitioning is the best thing for someone w/ Gender Dysphoria...I do think anyone who opposes that has the child's best interest at heart...that said, I do believe that someone that's underage should have to have parental/guardian support to begin the medical treatment...but those treatments are life saving to someone w/ Gender Dysphoria, therefore they should not be Banned totally like the Puritanical Republicans believe.

I'm sorry to see you've bought into this lie. You probably still trust the science on covid too.


Puberty for most kids is stressful and anxiety inducing. These institutions are preying upon adolescent insecurities to push quack theories that you can change genders. Social media algorithms further push this and the transgender community gladly welcomes and encourages these vulnerable kids to permanently mutilate themselves.