Why I Don’t Use Female Pronouns For My Transgender Brother

The demand that I refer to my sibling using a female pronoun is nothing less than thought policing. It is a demand that I assert what I do not believe.

Michael Booker

. . . "It’s a simple matter of common courtesy to call someone by whatever name he or she chooses. Transgender activists have tried to latch on to this simple social courtesy to insist on the use of specific preferred pronouns, which they argue is no more than an extension of that common courtesy. The pushback on this has largely been on the profusion of novel potential identifiers: he/his, she/hers, they/theirs, xe/xirs, ze/hirs, ei/eirs…the list is really endless, with individuals generating new pronouns almost daily.

Some English Pronouns Convey Gender  

"But the complaints about the profusion of pronouns miss a far more important point of language that seems to have slipped under the radar, something that makes this far more than a matter of courtesy. It has to do with the nature of second-person and third-person pronouns in English.

"When I talk to you, I can do so without a gendered pronoun. You is the same no matter who, or what, I’m talking to. I can call my misbehaving car “You old pile of garbage” without making my car a he or a she. Likewise, I can speak to a male, female, or non-binary individual with the same second-person pronoun.

"It’s the third-person pronoun in English that conveys gender (and here I’m so happy to be able to use the word gender in its appropriately technical and linguistic sense). I can use he,  she, or it as singular pronouns, and each conveys information about the object I’m referring to. There are odd circumstances when I’d use a third-person pronoun in the presence of someone who is in the room with me, but it never feels polite. In the majority of cases, I am taking about a person or thing not present.

"This is where preferred pronouns become critically intrusive." . . .

The demand that I refer to my sibling using a female pronoun is nothing less than thought policing. It is a demand that I assert what I do not believe, or at least a demand that I dare not evidence dissent from a particular pseudo-scientific understanding of human nature. Asking me to be polite is not the same thing as asking me to lie, or worse, to accept a lie as truth.

Michael Booker has a doctorate in philosophy and retired from the Army Reserve at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He has been married for 30 years, has two amazing sons, and is currently a low-level administrator in academia.

This 12-Year-Old Boy ‘Transitioned’ To A Girl, Took Hormones, Then Changed His Mind

The Federalist

A preview for an upcoming episode of “60 Minutes Australia” features a teenage boy who tried to “transition” to a girl then changed his mind. In the minute-long snippet, the mother of a boy identified as Patrick admits she fed him hormones that were prescribed in an effort to help him become a girl, which she says her son wanted for a time.

“When he was young he would dress up in girls’ clothes,” Patrick’s mom said. “At one stage he did say to me, could he be taken to the doctor to be changed into a girl.”

. . . 

"Patrick’s story of regretting the decision to “transition,” or try to appear opposite of one’s biological sex, is not uncommon. A 21-year-old woman from New Zealand took hormones for several years in an effort to make her body appear more like a man’s. While undergoing hormone treatments, Zahra Cooper says she became irritable, depressed, and attempted suicide. She eventually decided to stop the process and embrace being a woman again — a decision her significant other and grandfather say has made her happier." . . .

Tucker Carlson Destroys Stephen Colbert For Nazi Salute To Trump

Stephen Colbert, the Grover Dill of all anti-Trump media

American Journal Review

"During an episode of “The Late Show” on Friday, Colbert lambasted former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon for saying he defended President Trump’s Charlottesville comments, but that’s not all. Colbert then proceeded to ‘prove’ whatever point he was making by doing a Nazi salute. Check out the bizarre scene here, it happens at 4:46:

"This is sick beyond belief, and that fellow leftists didn’t see it and call him out is even more baffling. Tucker Carlson was paying attention at least and called Colbert out big time, saying:

“ 'Can we agree that is out of bounds? Jeffrey Lord just got canned from CNN for making reference to that regime but it’s okay here. How?”

"Carlson’s guest Joe Concha then brought down the hammer:

“ 'This is late-night comedy in 2017. It’s unhinged hate. And there is no line anymore to go over because there ain’t no line. It is . . .  anything goes.”

"Then he points out Colbert’s total hypocrisy:

“ 'Look, last week, or at the beginning of this week, Stephen Colbert mocked President Trump’s reaction to Hurricane Harvey, and here’s the bottom line: While Trump was in Texas twice, Stephen Colbert was on vacation for two weeks, and he had the time and the resources to go there and do something himself but instead, he mocks people from afar. And I think that’s all you need to know about the person Stephen Colbert is.' ” . . . (Emphases in the original)

Stephen Colbert Gives Nazi Salute to Trump on ‘Late Show’ (Video)

. . . "Colbert has parlayed his position as the perhaps the most anti-Trump host in late-night television into stronger ratings. The former Comedy Central star struggled mightily when he first took over for David Letterman in 2015, often falling behind Jimmy Fallon’s less-political Tonight Show. After ramping up his attacks on Trump, Colbert has regularly beaten Fallon in the late-night ratings race, though Fallon usually maintains a lead in the key demo." . . .

‘Single Storm Victim’ During Texas Visit

Again we ask Hillary, how can we miss you if you won't go away?

Hillary Blames Women's March for Loss Too  "Hillary Clinton blamed many people for her loss of the presidency to Donald Trump in 2016, even turning on some who support her.

"Clinton mused on the Women's March in her new book "What Happened" due to be released on Tuesday. 
" 'I couldn't help but ask where those feelings of solidarity, outrage, and passion had been during the election," a teaser excerpt from the book reads.

"The Women's March in January was organized in response to the election of Mr. Trump, and many marchers were Hillary supporters. 
"Clinton will appear on television to discuss last's year's events and take a book tour covering 15 cities.
"Several Democrats are recoiling from the idea of Hillary taking the spotlight again.
“ 'I love Hillary,” said Sen. Al Franken, (MN). “I think she has a right to analyze what happened. But we do have to move on.”
"Clinton has dealt out blame to James Comey, Vladimir Putin, low information voters, Netflix, misogynists, Bernie Sanders, and Barack Obama among others.
“ 'There were plenty of people hoping that I, too, would just disappear,” Clinton writes. “But here I am.” . . .

Clinton: Trump’s Campaign Was Successful in Comforting ‘Millions of White People, ’ Stands By ‘Deplorables’ Comment

"You’re not just deplorable, you’re a bigot. In case you weren’t clear on that.

"Via Free Beacon:

Hillary Clinton said President Donald Trump comforted “millions of white people” with his campaign during an interview airing Sunday on CBS.

“He was quite successful in referencing the nostalgia that would give hope, comfort, settle grievances, for millions of people who were upset about gains that were made by others,” Clinton said of Trump’s campaign.

“What you’re saying is millions of white people,” host Jane Pauley clarified.

“Millions of white people,” Clinton confirmed. “Yeah, millions of white people.”

Clinton also addressed her infamous remarks last year that half of Trump’s supporters were bigots who were part of a “basket of deplorables,” saying she regretted handing Trump a political gift but also saying a “large number of people” didn’t care about Trump’s behavior.

Keep reading…

George Mason U. Trains Teaching Assistants in Political Correctness

Legal Insurrection

“Make sure that your syllabus is written in non-sexist, gender-inclusive terms”

 

"You wouldn’t want to trigger anyone with a microaggression, would you?

"The Daily Caller reports:

University Advises Teaching Assistants Not To Say ‘Last Name’ Or ‘It Is Easy To Imagine’

George Mason University advised graduate teaching assistants (TAs) during a mandatory training Tuesday not to use words or phrases including “freshman,” “last name,” and “it is easy to imagine.”

The school made these suggestions in a tips and strategies guide entitled “Creating Inclusive Classrooms” obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation. The guide also advised graduate TAs to include a diversity statement in their syllabi and ask students for their name and pronoun.

“Make sure that your syllabus is written in non-sexist, gender-inclusive terms,” the guide suggests. “For example, use the phrase first-year student versus freshman, humankind rather than mankind, etc.”

“Strive for inclusive language that does not assume Eurocentric name forms,” continues the guide. “For example, use family name rather than last name or given name versus Christian name.”

George Mason recommends that graduate TAs make sure students can pronounce each others’ names, suggesting using notecards with phonetic spelling. Graduate TAs are also encouraged to ask students for the name and pronoun that agrees with their gender identity and expression.

Tim Kaine Meant It When He Told the Left to “Fight in the Streets"

S. Noble  "Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), the man who would be president, will not condemn the Anarcho-Communist organization Antifa who believe in “peace through violence”, seeking to shut down free speech of all ideological opponents.

“ 'I don’t like broad brushes and I don’t know enough about them to say that they’re terrorists but people who do violent things,” Kaine told the Daily Caller in a statement. “The law should take care of them.”

"The Department of Homeland Security classified their activities as “domestic terrorist violence.” Even Nancy Pelosi rebuked the group.

"It was Time Kaine who suggested that Democrats should “fight in the streets” against the administration, as well as in Congress and through the courts after Trump’s inauguration.

"It’s no surprise, he’s a far-left guy with Marxist roots.

"In May, Kaine’s son Linwood fought in the streets with Antifa during a protest in Minnesota. He has since been charged with “fleeing police on foot, concealing his identity in a public place, and obstructing legal process.' ” . . .

I wonder what the dinner table conversation at the Kaine household consisted of to raise this young man:

Tim Kaine himself has a Marxist past  

In 1980, radical revolutionary priest Fr. James Carney met with Tim Kaine who traveled by bus and walked miles to meet him after searching for him. He has spoken highly of him and his time with him.The priest was a member of a Communist band of revolutionaries at a time when President Ronald Reagan was sending financial aid to the freedom fighters. The group was led by a Ché Guevara soldier Reyes Mata.

Kansas City Star rides the fence over Marcus Peters

They don't want to be trashed by TV talk shows and the rent-a-mobs, I suppose.

Kansas City Star

"Marcus Peters, sitting mute on that trainer’s bench while “The Star-Spangled Banner” played before Thursday night’s game — why, it’s enough to make a Chiefs fan root for Tom Brady.

"OK, maybe that’s a bridge too far. And this time, Peters didn’t raise a fist as he did at last year’s season opener, or ride a stationary bike as he did in the preseason. But it’s clear that the Kansas City cornerback’s silent protests are picking at a scar that feels increasingly raw these days.

"The facile symbolism is thick: An ungratefully prosperous African-American athlete damned the very foundation of the nation that granted him his fortune, just before taking on a team literally named the Patriots. And Brady, New England’s square-jawed, all-American superstar quarterback is a longtime “good friend” and golfing buddy of President Donald Trump.

"Or, through a different lens: An unapologetic American success story chose not to rise for a song that wasn’t even adopted as the national anthem until 1931 — and whose lyrics were penned by a slave owner, and whose seldom-sung third verse may or may not cheer the deaths of slaves — standing on principle, then earning the Chiefs’ biggest regular season win over a team of cheaters who still sport Super Bowl rings." . . .

But then....well, what did you expect members of the American media to do, but pen a both-sides-of-the-street opinion? The editorial staff concludes with:

Equality-minded Republicans know just how infuriating it is to be shouted down as a bigot on the basis of nothing more than party affiliation. That’s not why the Founding Fathers established a bedrock of free speech. Marcus Peters is owed that right absolutely. He wouldn’t advocate for change if he didn’t want a stronger country. We want to hear his ideas.

This wasn't his first time:

Tragedy as 19-year-old son of former Fox News host Eric Bolling dies hours after his father was fired . . .

UK Daily Mail

. . . Eric Chase, 19, Bolling's only child with wife Adrienne, died on Friday evening, just hours after his father was parted ways with the cable giant.

"Bolling, 54, confirmed the tragic passing of the University of Colorado Boulder student in a tweet on Saturday afternoon, saying that he and his wife were distraught.

" 'Adrienne and I are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Eric Chase last night. Details still unclear. Thoughts, prayers appreciated' wrote Bolling.

"He also later tweeted authorities have told him that there were no signs of self-harm and that an autopsy will take place next week.

"The shocking news was first reported in a tweet by journalist Yashar Ali, who also broke the story last month about alleged lewd texts sent by Bolling to female staff members at Fox News.

"Bolling insists the allegations are false and has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Ali" . . .

UC Berkeley Mocked For Offering Counseling To Students Stressed By Ben Shapiro Speech

Weasel Zippers

"Sticks and stones…

"Via Mediate:

There has been a lot of buildup ahead of Ben Shapiro‘s speaking engagement at UC Berkeley. Between the university initially blocking him from its campus and its efforts to limit the crowd size, it’s becoming quite the anticipated event.
Shapiro, conservative author and editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire, has stirred controversy on college campuses in the past and was banned from speaking at DePaul University and California State University of Los Angeles, not because he himself or anything he says is controversial, but because students and faculty were simply outraged by his presence.
Ahead of the Sept. 14 speech, UC Berkeley sent out a newsletter to its students and faculty, which went over logistics and security of the event and encouraged those who plan to protest to do so peacefully. But then it said the following:
We are deeply concerned about the impact some speakers may have on individuals’ sense of safety and belonging. No one should be made to feel threatened or harassed simply because of who they are or for what they believe. For that reason, the following support services are being offered and encouraged:
Student support services
Employee (faculty and staff) support services

Upcoming Book/Excuse Tour Gives Democrats Hillary Fatigue Syndrome

"Hillary Clinton’s four month long reminder tour of the party’s most bitter recent failure will be a test for them. Will some members of the party who are more prominent start speaking out against her?
She isn’t doing much to earn “respected elder stateswoman” status from the Democrats. That is probably because she probably considers herself viable candidate, even if no one outside of her kitchen does."

The American Spectator

"Hillary Clinton’s continued obsession with inflicting herself upon a public that told her to go away almost a year ago is now giving agita to those who used to be close to her.

According to Politico, the Democrats are sweating her impending book tour.

President Donald Trump may be the only person in politics truly excited about Hillary Clinton’s book tour.

Democratic operatives can’t stand the thought of her picking the scabs of 2016, again — the Bernie Sanders divide, the Jim Comey complaints, the casting blame on Barack Obama for not speaking out more on Russia. Alums of her Brooklyn headquarters who were miserable even when they thought she was winning tend to greet the topic with, “Oh, God,” “I can’t handle it,” and “the final torture.”

Political reporters gripe privately (and on Twitter) about yet another return to the campaign that will never end. Campaign operatives don’t want the distraction, just as they head into another election season. And members of Congress from both parties want the focus on an agenda that’s getting more complicated by the week.

But with a new NBC News poll showing her approval rating at 30 percent, the lowest recorded for her, Clinton kicks it off on Tuesday with a signing at the Union Square Barnes & Noble in New York. She’ll keep it going all the way through December, all across the country.

. . .  

What’s changed in Britain since same-sex marriage?

"Shortly after the election campaign, Farron resigned. He stated that it was now impossible, for a believing Christian to hold a prominent position in British politics."

The Spectator, Australia

. . . "Freedom of religion: Much was made in the UK, about supposed exemptions, designed to ensure that believers would always be allowed to stay true to their convictions.

Four years later, the very same people who made ‘heartfelt promises’, now work tirelessly to undermine them. . . .

"It became clear, during this year’s general election, just how militant the LGBT lobby have become, following marriage redefinition. The primary target was Tim Farron, leader of England’s third largest political party, the Liberal Democrats. High-profile journalists had heard that Farron was a practising Christian. In every single interview thereafter, they demanded to know. Did he personally believe homosexual sex to be a sin? He practically begged the commentariat, to allow him to keep his personal faith and legislative convictions separate. For decades, he pointed out, he had out vocally and legislatively supported the LGBT Lobby. Likewise, he had long backed same-sex marriage, voting for it enthusiastically. This simply was no longer enough." . . .

It appears that standing up for your biblical beliefs not only causes you to be persecuted, but unable to find work and support your family.  Is the day coming when even government benefits will require our adhering to a certain political stand?  We do not learn from history.

In Berkeley, The Renaming Of Campus Buildings Takes A Turn To The Bizarre

How is it that our nation's culture and history are being radically changed by people we find unlikable and whom we have no respect for?

Hot Air

"The student body at Berkeley has a lot on their plate these days what with the imminent arrival of Ben Shapiro sending everyone scrambling for their safe spaces and all. But with so much to be done on the social justice front there’s simply no rest for the weary.

"In case you hadn’t heard, there are offensively named buildings to be tackled on campus. We must wipe away all vestiges of racism or colonialism or… something. With that in mind, the students are looking to change the name of Barrows Hall. That one clearly has to go because of the evil, sordid history of the man it was named after. (The College Fix)" . . .