Itβs been so nice to see a politician stand up for human rights, defanging the βgotchasβ almost instantly and pointing out that they are both distractions and a way to justify nibbling away at all rights, even those not exercised by most people.
Finally! Between AOCβs answer in Maine and El-Sayedβs stance in his race we finally have some Dems with backbone who understand that NO ONE is disposable. Capitulation on anyoneβs rights leads inexorably and inevitably to the erosion of all peopleβs rights.
El-Sayed is a great and courageous American. This is exactly the kind of leader we need: one who sticks to his principles no matter what.
A cinematic aside that might explain why it seems so incredible when a highly principled hero like El-Sayed appears on the scene:
I used to think such figures existed only in Hollywood movies until I realized that in fact, in almost every great Hollywood film about politics that I could think of, the βheroβ ended up SELLING OUT his values (at least temporarily), e.g. in classics and sort-of classics ranging from Frank Capraβs βState of the Unionβ to Mike Nicholsβs βPrimary Colorsβ and Rob Reinerβs βThe American President.β True, in Capraβs βMr. Smith Goes to Washington,β Jimmy Stewart was willing to die literally on the floor of Congress, but that was made when my dad was a child. Since then, Hollywood has treated almost all politicians as whores or whores-in-the-making. Cynicism sells.
Yet now, on the eve of this historic vote, here we have a veritable Jimmy Stewart in our midst!!!!!!!!
God bless America.
β Jennifer Keay Davidson, 73-year-old trans woman in SF
I am sooooo disgusted by these dem politicians throwing trans people under the bus. Denying trans rights is denying human rights and that should b antithetical to any Democratic platform.
What the anti-trans crowd is doing is a threat to Abdul and to anyone else who sees it his (the correct) way. "Join us or we drown you in negativity." Well, he's a smart person, a tough person, and a nice person, and it ain't working. They can enjoy calling him senator for the next six, 12, 18, whatever years.
This should come as no surprise. He has hedged his positions on several issues, not just transgender and LGBTQ+ rights. He has also made numerous remarks about the Middle East, only to dodge questions and avoid taking a clear position when challenged. At some point, people need to stop accepting political double-talk. Voters deserve honesty, consistency, and leaders who are willing to stand behind what they say, not politicians who change their positions depending on which way the political winds are blowing.
This election is one that really tears me apart. The queer part of me wants that seat run by Dems. The Jewish part of me knows to be concerned about his positioning and refusal to really engage with the diverse opinions in our community and support our needs, instead pushing dangerous rhetoric. No matter what happens, I win and I lose.
Good reminder that the primaries matter, for both major parties, in getting good options on election day.
Completely agree. I love what he said here about transgender people but I worry about what he has, and hasn't said, about Jewish people, Israel, Hamas, and Piker. I worry for my Jewish trans loved ones.
And interesting there's a trend of trans folks becoming jewish, finding a spiritual home and community and order and ritual. And masorti and other non-orthodox groups have embraced this. (even some orthodox, but it's complicated, they tend to be nice about it though). Jews have played such a big part in shaping democracy and civil rights in this country, and have created a home in the near east under the same principles. It's really torn people apart to have one part of their found/chosen identity coming at the cost of another.
I don't think it will be long-term good for the Democrats, or trans/queer folks, to hold this position.
I think further that trans folks should see through the issue -- it has the same traits as anti-trans politics: a tiny % of the population getting crazy amounts of public attention, everyone has an opinion without learning from the community, everyone is believing propaganda instead of having empathy for each other.
Thanks for the link to the interview, Erin. Ross Douthat has always given me the heebie jeebies; he's adopted orthodox Catholicism as his holier-than-thou foundation, and everything that comes out of his mouth is the typical muddled sophistry you would expect. Great to see El-Sayed untangle his nonsense point by point.
Good! Fuck the transphobes. And fuck the mainstream media.
You took the words right out of my thumbs.πππ₯π₯π₯
Itβs been so nice to see a politician stand up for human rights, defanging the βgotchasβ almost instantly and pointing out that they are both distractions and a way to justify nibbling away at all rights, even those not exercised by most people.
Finally! Between AOCβs answer in Maine and El-Sayedβs stance in his race we finally have some Dems with backbone who understand that NO ONE is disposable. Capitulation on anyoneβs rights leads inexorably and inevitably to the erosion of all peopleβs rights.
It's all of us or none of us. Period.
The problem is that El-Sayed does seem to think*some* people are disposable or not worth engaging with with honesty and integrity.
I donβt understand what you are referring to. Can you please give some specific examples?
What do you mean?
El-Sayed is a great and courageous American. This is exactly the kind of leader we need: one who sticks to his principles no matter what.
A cinematic aside that might explain why it seems so incredible when a highly principled hero like El-Sayed appears on the scene:
I used to think such figures existed only in Hollywood movies until I realized that in fact, in almost every great Hollywood film about politics that I could think of, the βheroβ ended up SELLING OUT his values (at least temporarily), e.g. in classics and sort-of classics ranging from Frank Capraβs βState of the Unionβ to Mike Nicholsβs βPrimary Colorsβ and Rob Reinerβs βThe American President.β True, in Capraβs βMr. Smith Goes to Washington,β Jimmy Stewart was willing to die literally on the floor of Congress, but that was made when my dad was a child. Since then, Hollywood has treated almost all politicians as whores or whores-in-the-making. Cynicism sells.
Yet now, on the eve of this historic vote, here we have a veritable Jimmy Stewart in our midst!!!!!!!!
God bless America.
β Jennifer Keay Davidson, 73-year-old trans woman in SF
Blue flood, may it wash away the Christian Nationalists . . .
Thank you for the reporting Mrs. Reed.
I am sooooo disgusted by these dem politicians throwing trans people under the bus. Denying trans rights is denying human rights and that should b antithetical to any Democratic platform.
This makes me wish I lived in Michigan so I could cast my ballot for a true ally! I wish him all the luck in the world.
I do live in Michigan I've already voted for him. I also donated for the first time ever.
Thanks for this-- reminded me to donate to him again :)
What the anti-trans crowd is doing is a threat to Abdul and to anyone else who sees it his (the correct) way. "Join us or we drown you in negativity." Well, he's a smart person, a tough person, and a nice person, and it ain't working. They can enjoy calling him senator for the next six, 12, 18, whatever years.
Oh how i want him to win!! And win big!!!
Wishing good fortune for the people of Michigan in their elections tomorrow!
Always stand for the right thing no matter what.
This should come as no surprise. He has hedged his positions on several issues, not just transgender and LGBTQ+ rights. He has also made numerous remarks about the Middle East, only to dodge questions and avoid taking a clear position when challenged. At some point, people need to stop accepting political double-talk. Voters deserve honesty, consistency, and leaders who are willing to stand behind what they say, not politicians who change their positions depending on which way the political winds are blowing.
A moment of silence for Haley Stevens, please. Thoughts and prayers, even.
This election is one that really tears me apart. The queer part of me wants that seat run by Dems. The Jewish part of me knows to be concerned about his positioning and refusal to really engage with the diverse opinions in our community and support our needs, instead pushing dangerous rhetoric. No matter what happens, I win and I lose.
Good reminder that the primaries matter, for both major parties, in getting good options on election day.
Completely agree. I love what he said here about transgender people but I worry about what he has, and hasn't said, about Jewish people, Israel, Hamas, and Piker. I worry for my Jewish trans loved ones.
And interesting there's a trend of trans folks becoming jewish, finding a spiritual home and community and order and ritual. And masorti and other non-orthodox groups have embraced this. (even some orthodox, but it's complicated, they tend to be nice about it though). Jews have played such a big part in shaping democracy and civil rights in this country, and have created a home in the near east under the same principles. It's really torn people apart to have one part of their found/chosen identity coming at the cost of another.
I don't think it will be long-term good for the Democrats, or trans/queer folks, to hold this position.
I think further that trans folks should see through the issue -- it has the same traits as anti-trans politics: a tiny % of the population getting crazy amounts of public attention, everyone has an opinion without learning from the community, everyone is believing propaganda instead of having empathy for each other.
Thanks for the link to the interview, Erin. Ross Douthat has always given me the heebie jeebies; he's adopted orthodox Catholicism as his holier-than-thou foundation, and everything that comes out of his mouth is the typical muddled sophistry you would expect. Great to see El-Sayed untangle his nonsense point by point.