This is the argument that I've always heard against public health/single-payer in the US. Imagine what medical services would be denied under a Republican trifecta.
Brit here (not in England, thankfully). Public statements by Sunak and others definately lead me towards the "actively trying to inflict as much pain on trans people and families as possible" theory.
OT, sort of. (Dealing with anti-trans state legislation in Louisiana.)
I just walked out of a Louisiana Senate committee hearing about the goddamn bathroom bill. Highlights include:
- A woman who sat in front of the four bored committee members who were actually there and asked “Are my breasts obscene? If they are, I’m a woman. If not, then I am happy to unbutton this blouse for you.”
- Someone from Forum for Equality tried appealing to the metaphorical wallet. North Carolina tried a bathroom bill, and the NBA pulled multiple events. With the Super Bowl coming next year, would it not suck for the NFL to pull over $100 million in business from the state?
Of course the bill’s author, in closing remarks, pulled out the tired and ridiculous “cis guy in a dress” nonsense, as though the only thing to keep girls in bathrooms safe is to ban guys in dresses from the ladies room. And note that the sole concern is little girls. Boys? Apparently, they don’t matter!
I just want to know where they expect people like me to pee. Go in one, I could get sued because Karen Boudreaux thought I might have dangly bits. (HB608 says someone can sue another for “indirect injury,” so some numpty with a grudge who feels scared could go to court for thousands of bucks.) If I go into the other, I could get harassed, beaten, or worse.
My final point is this: How would one even consider enforcing such a law? Outside of absolutely shredding the Fourth Amendment, it would be impossible. Law enforcement couldn’t ask a woman to lift her skirt (unreasonable search) and if anyone else did it it would fall under sexual harassment. The literal Gestapo line “papers please” would also be unreasonable search.
I'm assuming this is one of the "sex at birth" bans. Not sure how they intend to handle post-op transgender women. Are there exceptions? Is someone going to ask to do a full blown investigation of the dangly bits at birth?
As far as I could tell, no exceptions exist in the bill. But I would *love* to watch the ACLU or someone hand a plaintiff their whole ass ion a platter in court over how to determine who belongs in what bathroom.
Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life. As such it is a disease or condition which warrants medical treatment
Now as is the case with many diseases and conditions. we have allowed societal whims and prejudices to enter into the medical arena.. Of course that invites, even encourages, political, and religious types types to weigh in with their two cents. Senator Cornpone and Rev Mostholy now demand the authority to decide what medical treatments are appropriate That must be stopped if we ever hope to make any advances in the science and practice of medicine.
See, this is the sort of bigotry plus bland bureaucratic misdirection that really brings fear to my heart that conservatives here will figure out how to pull this off. Right now they're just screaming at the dials and banging on the keyboard -- but if the settle down and read the instructions, we could be fucked.
As an aside, if you like news/comedy, his hosting of Have I Got News for You last year is delightful and hilarious (and he even has the Scottish accent! ;) https://youtu.be/c8SoyEBlv6w?si=mGN5pkaWUKcnsifh
I did know that. I was having a bit of fun at Mr. Tennant's expense. I do hope I didn't wound him too deeply, of course, but if I can't take him down a peg here on Wonkette, where can I?
Regardless of which side of the pond you're on the fact remains that orange men are manipulative villains self-righteously determining who shall receive and those whom they insist should not exist at all.
It is indeed the point. At least here in the U.S. (I can't speak to the UK), the party of "freedom" and "personal responsibility" seems incapable of minding their own fucking business — from our genitals to our sex lives to reproduction — which is creepy, weird, fucked up, and obviously hypocritical. It is also such a small minority and these actions are primarily aimed at harming children (that they also harm trans adults is a cherry on top for these assholes). Some of the states passing all of these trans ban only have a handful of trans kids in them. I can't imagine knowing my state — with all of the many actual problems this country faces — decided to prioritize targeting me for something as basic as which pronouns or which bathroom I use.
I'd like to see the Dems/liberals take back the concept of "freedom" — we're actually the people who want you to be free to live your life as you see fit (barring harming others, of course). We don't care what's in your pants or going on in your bedroom and reproductive decisions should be private (again, provided it is consenting adults). We want people to have a living wage and a decent life with access to healthcare, food, and housing. That is actual freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
The terms liberal and conservative got re-defined and made meaningless. in order to create artificial division., By proper definition both are centrists with conservatives being slightly more resistant to change. The great rift between the two was a media creation
I tend to divide humanity into two main groups: those who try to make decisions and form opinions based on the facts on the ground and those who are more comfortable being guided by religious superstitions, prejudices and orders from people whom they think are superior.
Once there were conservatives and liberals in both groups. If anything conservatives dominated the first group, who were the ones who ran things Conservatives prided themselves on making careful. deliberate decisions based in fact, and implementing change more slowly than liberals. What you describe is the present day definition of conservatives and liberals. Once it would have just described sane sensible people who may be conservative or liberal vs weirdos and lunatics who are neither
There still are conservative and liberals in both groups. Goateed MAGAs and incense huffing, Goop-buying hippies both choose Ivermectin over a functional vaccine, for example. It just seems the sheer numbers fall a certain way these days.
Sir Humphrey Appleby would approve.
Ta, Crip Dyke. I. Just. Can't. Even.
Good GOD I hope the Tories get absolutely slaughtered next election and some sanity finally comes back to the UK.
This is the argument that I've always heard against public health/single-payer in the US. Imagine what medical services would be denied under a Republican trifecta.
Brit here (not in England, thankfully). Public statements by Sunak and others definately lead me towards the "actively trying to inflict as much pain on trans people and families as possible" theory.
OT, sort of. (Dealing with anti-trans state legislation in Louisiana.)
I just walked out of a Louisiana Senate committee hearing about the goddamn bathroom bill. Highlights include:
- A woman who sat in front of the four bored committee members who were actually there and asked “Are my breasts obscene? If they are, I’m a woman. If not, then I am happy to unbutton this blouse for you.”
- Someone from Forum for Equality tried appealing to the metaphorical wallet. North Carolina tried a bathroom bill, and the NBA pulled multiple events. With the Super Bowl coming next year, would it not suck for the NFL to pull over $100 million in business from the state?
Of course the bill’s author, in closing remarks, pulled out the tired and ridiculous “cis guy in a dress” nonsense, as though the only thing to keep girls in bathrooms safe is to ban guys in dresses from the ladies room. And note that the sole concern is little girls. Boys? Apparently, they don’t matter!
I just want to know where they expect people like me to pee. Go in one, I could get sued because Karen Boudreaux thought I might have dangly bits. (HB608 says someone can sue another for “indirect injury,” so some numpty with a grudge who feels scared could go to court for thousands of bucks.) If I go into the other, I could get harassed, beaten, or worse.
My final point is this: How would one even consider enforcing such a law? Outside of absolutely shredding the Fourth Amendment, it would be impossible. Law enforcement couldn’t ask a woman to lift her skirt (unreasonable search) and if anyone else did it it would fall under sexual harassment. The literal Gestapo line “papers please” would also be unreasonable search.
I’m frustrated. And hungry.
> How would one even consider enforcing such a law?
It's not about enforcement, it's about making you so afraid of enforcement, that you're unwilling to exist in public.
(((HUGS)))
I am truly sorry that you are on the receiving end of this f-wadery. And also awed by your brilliance and bravery in going to these hearings.
I'm assuming this is one of the "sex at birth" bans. Not sure how they intend to handle post-op transgender women. Are there exceptions? Is someone going to ask to do a full blown investigation of the dangly bits at birth?
As far as I could tell, no exceptions exist in the bill. But I would *love* to watch the ACLU or someone hand a plaintiff their whole ass ion a platter in court over how to determine who belongs in what bathroom.
Agreed!
I hate these weaselshits so much.
Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life. As such it is a disease or condition which warrants medical treatment
Now as is the case with many diseases and conditions. we have allowed societal whims and prejudices to enter into the medical arena.. Of course that invites, even encourages, political, and religious types types to weigh in with their two cents. Senator Cornpone and Rev Mostholy now demand the authority to decide what medical treatments are appropriate That must be stopped if we ever hope to make any advances in the science and practice of medicine.
Did you know that socially conservative reactionary trash that have no science on their side should get to dictate how society functions?
AS long as they keep getting voted into office.
So, are NHS-Scotland, or -Wales, or -NI any better on this?
See, this is the sort of bigotry plus bland bureaucratic misdirection that really brings fear to my heart that conservatives here will figure out how to pull this off. Right now they're just screaming at the dials and banging on the keyboard -- but if the settle down and read the instructions, we could be fucked.
The Brits are supposed to be better than this, darn it.
My Irish Catholic ancestors didn't believe that for a second. At least since the time of Cromwell.
David Tennant is pretty awesome, though you do have to wonder why he feels compelled to do that Scottish accent in interviews:
https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/05/07/david-tennant-speaks-out-weaponising-trans-rights/
I LOVE David Tennant, even before I knew he was a vocal supporter of trans kids. His wearing of Crooked Media's shirt about leaving trans kids alone was great too: https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/07/11/david-tennant-t-shirt-leave-trans-kids-alone-reactions/
As an aside, if you like news/comedy, his hosting of Have I Got News for You last year is delightful and hilarious (and he even has the Scottish accent! ;) https://youtu.be/c8SoyEBlv6w?si=mGN5pkaWUKcnsifh
He is Scottish, born and raised
I did know that. I was having a bit of fun at Mr. Tennant's expense. I do hope I didn't wound him too deeply, of course, but if I can't take him down a peg here on Wonkette, where can I?
He's allowed that, being a Scot!
Keep making special allowances for them and the wee beasties will sint all agley. Still, wink at small faults, I say.
Regardless of which side of the pond you're on the fact remains that orange men are manipulative villains self-righteously determining who shall receive and those whom they insist should not exist at all.
[seethes resentfully...]
Actually Trump gave a voice to a downtrodden minority. "The Bullies" Seems that we had started treating them badly
Hmm. May have to start doing that again, in earnest.
"But...Sooo unfair. I demand my right to act like a total ass!!"- Trump
Kindly stand aside so that I may provide a more thorough thumping.
Kinda puts a negative spin on that style of healthcare, as wow can the government if it so chooses can really fuck with patients.
This indeed is the point of voting for conservatives, to be able to stick it to vulnerable minorities and make their lives worse.
It is indeed the point. At least here in the U.S. (I can't speak to the UK), the party of "freedom" and "personal responsibility" seems incapable of minding their own fucking business — from our genitals to our sex lives to reproduction — which is creepy, weird, fucked up, and obviously hypocritical. It is also such a small minority and these actions are primarily aimed at harming children (that they also harm trans adults is a cherry on top for these assholes). Some of the states passing all of these trans ban only have a handful of trans kids in them. I can't imagine knowing my state — with all of the many actual problems this country faces — decided to prioritize targeting me for something as basic as which pronouns or which bathroom I use.
I'd like to see the Dems/liberals take back the concept of "freedom" — we're actually the people who want you to be free to live your life as you see fit (barring harming others, of course). We don't care what's in your pants or going on in your bedroom and reproductive decisions should be private (again, provided it is consenting adults). We want people to have a living wage and a decent life with access to healthcare, food, and housing. That is actual freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
There are no real conservatives left. People calling themselves conservatives today are for the most part just selfish morons.
And brutal, virulent, viciously bigoted, vindictive fucking sadists.
I have terrible news for you.
There never were 'real' conservatives.
The people who left still had some empathy.
The terms liberal and conservative got re-defined and made meaningless. in order to create artificial division., By proper definition both are centrists with conservatives being slightly more resistant to change. The great rift between the two was a media creation
I'll have a pint of whatever you've been drinking.
I tend to divide humanity into two main groups: those who try to make decisions and form opinions based on the facts on the ground and those who are more comfortable being guided by religious superstitions, prejudices and orders from people whom they think are superior.
Once there were conservatives and liberals in both groups. If anything conservatives dominated the first group, who were the ones who ran things Conservatives prided themselves on making careful. deliberate decisions based in fact, and implementing change more slowly than liberals. What you describe is the present day definition of conservatives and liberals. Once it would have just described sane sensible people who may be conservative or liberal vs weirdos and lunatics who are neither
There still are conservative and liberals in both groups. Goateed MAGAs and incense huffing, Goop-buying hippies both choose Ivermectin over a functional vaccine, for example. It just seems the sheer numbers fall a certain way these days.