An open letter to Rep. John Larsen

 

Rep. John Larsen (D)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/John_Larson_Democratic_Caucus_Portrait.jpg

Rep. Larsen:  Up until I voted - up until that very minute - I was going to hold my nose, and despite my grave misgivings, I was going to vote for you.  Then I noticed there was a Green Party candidate.  I voted  for her.

Realistically, Mary had no chance of winning.  My vote was purely a protest vote.  Why did I not vote for you?   First, your total lack of interest in voters once you are elected.  I'm not asking for you to agree with me 100 percent.  That's silly.  But what I AM asking is a letter or e-letter.  And no, robocalls don't count.  Geez, a short paragraph or two would be nice.

You want to regain my vote?  Take the time and write your constituents.  Or leave, and allow a  younger person to fill the gap.

Photos: “We don’t feel safe here.” A transgender teen and their family flee Texas.

Jordan Vonderhaar

The Texas Tribune

St. Paul, MN

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Indian_Mounds_park.jpg

please press:  www.texastribune.org

Herschel Walker ups anti-transgender athlete messaging in the runoff

Emma Hurt

Axios

Herschel Walker, dumbass

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Herschel_Walker_in_May_2018.jpg

please press:  www.axios.com

These recently elected trans lawmakers say anti-LGBTQ bills inspired them to run

Julie Moreau

NBC News

Missoula, MT

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please press:  www.nbcnews.com

 

Japanese Trans Woman Wins Workplace Harassment Case

Kanae Doi

HRW

Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

(artist - Hokusai)

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please press:  www.hrw.org

Bills targeting trans youth are growing more common — and radically reshaping lives

Koko Nakajima, Connie Hanzhang Jin

NPR

Little Rock, AR

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please press:  www.npr.org

Conservative states are blocking trans medical care. Families are fleeing.

Annie Connell-Bryan, Joanne Kenen, Jael Holzman

Politico

Malakoff, TX

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please press:  www.politico.com

Madoka no Himitsu (Madoka's Secret) (manga)

When we first meet Madoka, it is a little bit saccharine.  However, it's well worth the wait of getting through.  Madoka is a longtime transgender girl (In Japan, the word 'he' is used)  [full name- Yamada Madoka]  The first clue is not something we, as English-speakers, would take note of. Madoka uses 'he', but the name, Madoka, is a girl's name.  After she is introduced by the teacher, she takes her seat.  Itsuki snubs her.  Madoka picks up an eraser, but still Itsuki is very curt.  Rather than take offense, she thinks it's manly and cool.

Later,  when she goes around distributing kairanban  (neighborhood newspaper)  she crosses the Tanokana house.  When she is greeted by a black Shiba Inu dog, she falls in love. (By the way, I had a Spitz cross - very lovely!)  Then, Itsuki walks up, and is miffed by Madoka's dress.   Madoka slaps Itsuki, and Itsuki slaps Madoka.  Shortly thereafter, Hiroto (known early as 'big brother') sees Madoka, takes pity on her, and invites her in.  Itsuki takes note, and Hiroto introduces him... as a transgender boy.

I won't say too much more, other than to mention two other characters.  The first is good, the other, um, not so good.  The first is Mai, nemesis of the first two (and especially that of Itsuki).  She is very realistic,  understandable - if not heroic.  She's kinda like the Green Goblin in the Spider-man movies. You get her, even if you don't condone her.  The other is Takato, twin brother of Hiroto.  He swears revenge on Madoka... but does practically nothing.  'Throwaway' is defined here.

All in all, despite the hiccups, a good read.       

Herschel Walker CRUSHES Himself In Disastrous Attack (video)

 

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1XwTalYyzs

just ONE vote...

 

Southington, CT

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Southington_CT_USA_the_gree.jpg

Just one vote.

No, it wasn't in far-off Nome, Alaska.  Nor was in a large state such as New York, California, or Florida.  It was just one town away, in Southington.  When we imagine small states such as Connecticut, we think erroneously of uniform legislatures.  True, Connecticut leans Democratic, but Southington doesn't fit this profile.  In fact, Southington has had some true knuckle-draggers.  

But not this time.

If one or two voters had stayed home this would be a different story.  What I'm saying to you is vote.  From President down to dog-catcher. I'm not saying this will an ironclad guarantee.  But you never know...

Should transgender youths have access to gender-affirming care? Why bans are 'cruel' and 'dangerous'

Susan Miller

USA Today

Sac and Fox dance around an I-coo-coo-a person

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Catlin_-_Dance_to_the_berdache.jpg

please press:  www.usatoday.com

Past Future (manga)

Well, perhaps it's from seeing that stinker 'Naisho no Otome Revolver' previously, but seeing  'Past Future' is a damn sight better. Let me explain.

The scene opens with Akari Kako and Akari Mirai (in Japan, the names are reversed) with Mirai just about to attend a soccer match.  Upon her leaving, Kako starts to do some chores...  and starts to do some laundry.  Well, things are inevitable, so Kako tries Mirai's clothing.  Of course, Mirai forgot something, and is 'horrified' with Kako wearing girl's clothing.  I say 'horrified' because Kako isn't waving a magic wand around, where suddenly he's a girl.  Kako tries Mirai's clothing, but there are hints long before... and (his) classmates know.

As I said before, there are flaws.  One glaring flaw is a total absence of parents.  Unless both parents croaked, they can't be explained away.  However, the struggles they all face are more realistic and truer.  It might be nice if things are all pat, but that would be false. 

See Law & Order: SVU this week

 

Mariska Hargitay

(as Olivia Benson in Law & Order:  SVU)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Mariska_Hargitay_2011.jpg

This past week I was watching Law & Order:  SVU (yeah, I'm a junkie for this show) and I took note for the upcoming show.  It involves the investigation of a murder of a transgender person.  There's not much more to go on, but Mariska Hargitay has shown forth sensitivity on this subject.

Everyone Should See This (video)

 Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TscNaR5p_50

Naisho no Otome Revolver (Secret Maiden Revolver) (manga)

Wow.

I don't know if 'Naisho no Otome Revolver' is absolutely the worst  manga ever seen. But, gawd, it lies among the bottom o' the barrel.  At the beginning, Tachibana Hinata wants to be a boy.  Understandable. But in almost every scene, we get a crotch shot.  Again. Again. And yet again.   A little later we see hir little sister, Tachibana Hinata.

No, this ain't a typo.  Only halfway (!) is the name changed.

Haryuki, do anything but manga.  You'll make the world a better place.

A, A' (manga)

 

Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/01/A%2CA_Prime_Cover.jpg 

      At a time when transgender people were just stepping their toes in the water (1984) Moto Hagio was a fresh air.  And she still is.  Despite what Michelle Smith says, we have to remember what 1984 really was.    It was a little  better... but things were really bleak.

      A, A' is set in the future.  The earth was moving out to the various planets and moons (Mars, Jupiter, etc.).  Also, humans developed Unicorns.  Unicorns were engineered to replace people.  The people who worked out found they worked... almost.  In a seemingly innocuous mention, Adelaide (clone) wants coffee - but she wants it black, rather than have it with cream and sugar. (original Adelaide)

     First, let's look at A, A'.  Unlike the newer manga which show a single  sheet , the older ones show two pages, therefore showing a double sheet. There are three interrelated stories:

A, A' 

4/4

X+Y

       The first two stories don't seem to be transgender related.  However, Mori is important in two of the three chapters.  In the end of 4/4, Mori is grieving over the death of Trill.  Fast-forward five years (X+Y), we meet Tacto, a seemngly male unicorn.  He meets up with Merimé, who is nonplussed at Tacto's lovemaking - until he might  be winning an award.  Suddenly, she 'loves' him.  At first, Tacto is interested in Merimé, until a professor throws a really big wrench.  Tacto is really a woman.  And in comes Mori.  

     I won't tell you any more, but Moto Hagio is prescient in 1984 than most Americans (especially middle and Southerners) are aware.  Hopefully they'll learn a little.

Alex Jones is TOAST!!!!!

 

Credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8n-zIliK3E

Connecticut debate tonight

 

Credit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debate#/media/File:IsaacCruikshank-DebatingSoc.jpg

N.G! (manga)

This is the first in a series of manga.  If you are unfamiliar with manga, it was a form of Japanese comics. Although it started in Japan, it moved on to China (manhua) and South Korea (manhwa).  It then moved on to the USA, Canada, and France, to name just a few.  The first were translated, but artists from the Western countries went on to create their own manga.  For more details look up 'manga' under Wikipedia.

Some people don't consider manga art.  That's your problem. 

N.G! is one-shot. There are more strips, but since they are separate pieces, I'll only consider the first.  Nakatomi is a high-schooler, but since they have good art books, a nearby university bookstore is where she is shopping.  As she moves to the racks, Okasabe eyes her.  After hesitating, Okasabe her to a fancy restaurant.  Even so, she's still creeped out a bit.  So she talks to Rin, her twin.  By the way, Rin is TG.  Hilarity ensues. End of story.

Since N.G! is a relatively short story, this will be brief.  Good side - N.G! is true to form, with Okasabe being kind.  Bad side - translation fairly poor, with the viewer being somewhat confused about Rin's identity.

Queen Elizabeth dies at 96, ending an era for Britain

Michael Holden, Russell Cheyne

Reuters

Elizabeth II (1926-2022)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Queen_Elizabeth_II_in_March_2015.jpg

please press:  www.reuters.com

lead story - HRC Mourns Dede Ricks, Black Transgender Woman Killed in Detroit

Jared Todd

HRC

Detroit. MI

please press:  www.hrc.org

ezs note: Michiganders, if you live in or around Detroit, and you know something about Dede Ricks' death, please contact Detroit Police Department at 313-267-4600. Thanks.

Barack and Michelle Obama make first joint return to the White House for unveiling of official portraits

Maegan Vazquez

CNN

First Lady Michelle Obama

Amy Sherald

please press:  www.cnn.com

New Hampshire - Trans NH woman says she was targeted with 'voodoo doll' left on her car

Kristina Rex

CBS News

Rochester, NH

Credit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester,_New_Hampshire

please press:  www.cbsnews.com

Boston Children's Hospital receives bomb threat following harassment over transgender care

Kiara Alfonseca

ABC News

Boston Children's Hospital

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Tch-boston.jpg

please press:  abcnews.go.com

ezs note:  Greater Boston area - if you know of anyone who threatens Boston Children's Hospital, please call the Boston police department at 1-800-494-TIPS. Thanks.

No, Trump didn’t declassify everything; it’s barred by the Nixon tapes decision

Philip Allen LaCovara

The Hill

Nixon tape recorder

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please press:  thehill.com

West Virginia - Judge: West Virginia Medicaid must cover transgender care

Press

CBS News

Huntington, WV (1888)

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please press:  www.cbsnews.com

WBC statement on transgender atheletes

Nithi K. Sethi

World Boxing Council

Boxing

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please press:  fightnews.com

Rudy Giuliani told by prosecutors he is a target in Georgia 2020 presidential election probe

Sara Murray, Jason Morris

CNN

Rudy Giuliani's ass

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please press:  www.cnn.com

Iowa - Iowa school district sued over transgender student policy

Brooke Migdon

The Hill

Linn-Mar Community School District (Iowa)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/LinnMarCSDLogo.jpg

please press:  thehill.com

Longtime ESPN reporter M.A. Voepel comes out as transgender

C Mandler

CBS News

ESPN headquarters (Bristol, CT)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/ESPN_HQ.jpg

please press:  www.cbsnews.com

Presidential historian says he's never seen a former president 'take ultra-classified documents, stick them in his basement'

Taylor Ardery

Business Insider

Trump's basement

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please press:  www.businessinsider.com

Key lines from the search warrant and receipt for Trump's Florida home

Marshall Cohen, Sara Murray

CNN

Mar-a-Lago, FL

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please press:  www.cnn.com

Proposed 'Transgender Policy' would allow students to use pronouns, facilities at Canon City Schools

Mayo Davison

KOAA

ñ

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/ChrisLitherlandCanonCity.jpg

please press:  www.koaa.com

Pope Francis meets transgender guests of Rome church

Nicole Winfield

ABC News

Vatican City

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please press:  abcnews.go.com

Attorney General Merrick Garland set to make statement, days after FBI raid on Trump home at Mar-a-Lago

Dan Managan

CNBC

Palm Beach, FL (Mar-a-Lago)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Maralago1_%284158314102%29.jpg

please press:  www.cnbc.com

JUSTICE

 

credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EajmUKVzLLQ

New York (state) - New York AG Takes Action to Protect Transgender Students’ Rights

Lucas Day

Finger Lakes dailynews.com

North Tonawanda, NY

credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/HerschellCarrouselFactoryFaceOn.JPG

please press:  www.fingerlakesdailynews.com

note: please note that Connecticut's AG filed an amicus brief.

Parents of transgender 3rd grader sue the state over Tennessee school bathroom law

Hannah Sarisohn

CNN

Williamson County, TN (Franklin)

credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/4th_ave_main_street_historic_franklin_tennessee_2010.jpg

please press:  www.cnn.com

Senate on track to take key vote Saturday to advance Democrats' sweeping health care and climate bill

Clare Foran, Ali Zaslav

CNN

Sweeping!

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please press:  www.cnn.com

New Mexico - EOS, Title IX Director Advises Assistant U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Press

Albuquerque Public Schools

Atrisco Heritage Academy High School

Albuquerque, NM

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Aerial_of_Atrisco_Heritage_Academy_High_School_01-cropped.jpg

please press:  www.aps.edu

'Social contagion' isn’t causing more youths to be transgender, study finds

Jo Yurcaba

NBC News

It's spreading!  It's spreading!

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please press:  www.nbcnews.com

White House summoned Chinese ambassador to condemn provocations after Pelosi's Taiwan visit

Natasha Bertrand, Kate Sullivan, Jennifer Hansler

CNN

Amb. Qin Gang

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please press:  www.cnn.com/

New Jersey - N.J. advocacy groups say U.S. courts are ‘turning this country back’ on transgender rights

Tennyson Donyéa

WHYY

Essex County, NJ (Newark)

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please press:  whyy.org 

Transgender woman says she's not allowed to work at Durham Catholic school

Amanda Rose

Spectrum

Durham, NC

Creditt:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/CASD082_Jack_Tar_DiscoverDurham.jpg

please press:  spectrumlocalnews.com

Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan will not trigger World War III

Richard Javad Heydarian

Aljazzera

Taipei, from an earlier visit

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please press:  www.aljazeera.com

Medical board to consider transgender treatment for youths

Jim Saunders

WJCT

Tallahassee, FL

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please press:  news.wjct.org

AP sources: US operation killed al-Qaida leader al-Zawahri

Matthew Lee, Nomaan Merchant, Mike Balsamo

AP 

Ayman al-Zawahiri (1951-2021)

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Ayman_al-Zawahiri_portrait.JPG

please press:  apnews.com

Lee County School District announces plan to identify transgender students

Dave Elias

NBC-2.COM

Lee County, FL (Fort Myers)

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please press:  nbc-2.com

Manchin says Republicans in 'normal times' would be supporting energy, health care bill

Devan Cole, Daniella Diaz

CNN

Sen. Joe Manchin (WV)

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please press:  www.cnn.com

Pennsylvania - Hempfield School District votes to have student-athletes compete on teams that align with gender at birth

Kate Merriman

WGAL

East Hempfield Twp., PA

Credit:  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/East_Hempfield_Township.jpg

please press:  www.wgal.com