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sandy bassett's avatar

life long californian and inveterate traveler. lived in sf when he was there… sadly, with this kowtowing podcast newsom just lost me.

another smart article, ty.

was in the music industry (warner bros) as an art director ages ago but don’t keep up with it any more. good luck with this venture, the market is so fractured it’s hard to get a foothold, it seems.

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Donna Ciaccio Giliberto's avatar

Not in support of trans rights? Sorry, I can’t get past that position.

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Romulo Skagen's avatar

I could not disagree with this author more and the faster the Democrats stop listening to people like this, the faster they can get back to winning elections. They are out of step with the electorate on transgender issues and it is costing this country dearly now that Trump won and the GOP controls the government. I support Newsom’s attempt at common sense.

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Romulo Skagen's avatar

Stop telling voters what they SHOULD think and start listening to what they DO think. They don’t support trans men competing unfairly against women. They don’t support taxpayer funded sex change operations for prisoners. It’s fine to support trans rights broadly but it’s also OK to recognize limits. That’s all Newsom is doing.

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Evan Stern's avatar

I just think people have to fight for something to be seen as credible. It’s not about whether trans rights are popular or unpopular, it’s about politicians demonstrating principles, honor and self-respect.

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Romulo Skagen's avatar

You think Gavin Newsom doesn’t fight for worthy causes? The guy has fought more battles over his political career than most politicians can dream of. The idea that he has to prove his credibility after all he’s accomplished is deeply misguided.

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Evan Stern's avatar

As a friend of mine put it, “Their aim of erasing trans identity completely sounds very fash to me. Specifically compelling trans Americans/ immigrants to misgender themselves to avoid imprisonment. So far, the only other thing I felt so strongly about”

In other words, the trans attacks cut to the very heart of truth and democratic freedom. It’s about fighting for the most vulnerable people, and for the project of a pluralistic democracy.

Sure Newsom fights for things, and that’s great. But failing to put up even a semblance of a fight, on this issue at this time, is moral and political malpractice.

Trans rights are not up for debate. Sorry. Acting as though they are betrays in newsom a broken moral compass and strategic blindness.

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Mar 10
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Evan Stern's avatar

Fight like hell. Be aggressive. Insult, demean, demonize Republican politicians as a contrast to respecting and honoring their voters. Inspire and offer a positive vision for the country, a la Bernie and AOC

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