Editorials & Other Articles

Mosby

(17,639 posts) Sat Nov 30, 2024, 08:26 PM Nov 30

I'm done with Democratic purity tests

Seth Moulton, a Democrat, represents Massachusetts’s 6th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.

Since Election Day, I’ve learned two things about the Democratic Party: The word police will continue to patrol no matter how badly we lose, and a growing number of us are finally ready to move beyond them to start winning again.

Two days after Donald Trump’s victory, I gave an example of how Democrats spend too much time trying not to offend anyone, even on issues where most Americans feel the same way. Speaking as a dad, I said I didn’t like the idea of my two girls one day competing against biological boys on a playing field. My main point, though, is what I said next: “As a Democrat, I’m supposed to be afraid to say that.”

The blowback, which was swift, included the chair of a local Democratic committee calling me a Nazi “cooperator” and about 200 people gathering in front of my office to protest a sentence. My unimpeachable record of standing up for the civil rights of all Americans, including the trans community, was irrelevant.

What has amazed me, though, is what’s happening behind the scenes. Countless Democrats have reached out, from across the party — to thank me. I’ve heard it again and again, from union leaders to colleagues in the House and Senate; from top people from the Obama, Biden and Harris teams to local Democrats stopping me on the street; from fellow dads to many in the LGBTQ+ community: “Thank you for saying that!”

Gift link.
https://wapo.st/41c2H7V

19 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I'm done with Democratic purity tests (Original Post) Mosby Nov 30 OP

*What has amazed me, though, is what's happening behind the scenes. elleng Nov 30 #1

So the Democratic Party is OK with transphobia because Seth Moulton? DJ Synikus Makisimus Nov 30 #2

I don't think it's transphobic to understand mzmolly Nov 30 #4

See, I thought school sports were about exercise and having fun, DJ Synikus Makisimus Dec 1 #5

why is transphobia a bigger issue than, say, climate change or impending fascism Skittles Dec 1 #6

Because the right made it so. mzmolly Dec 1 #8

DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO PLAY INTO IT Skittles Dec 1 #11

No one said they were ... mzmolly Dec 1 #12

it's not just repukes falling for that garbage Skittles Dec 1 #13

Agreed. mzmolly Dec 1 #14

What's transphobic about what he said? lees1975 Dec 2 #16

Self delete Sundance1220 Dec 5 #19

here Celerity Dec 4 #17

Scapegoating while he relaxes to the right. Passages Dec 1 #7

Democrats have been sidetracked by single issues - to be exploited by Republicans as potent weapons dalton99a Dec 1 #9

Example - Mme. Defarge Dec 1 #10

climate change, war on women, incoming fascism Skittles Dec 1 #15

Moulton is not only missing the forest for the trees Blue_Tires Dec 4 #18

elleng

(136,833 posts)

1. *What has amazed me, though, is what's happening behind the scenes.

Reply to Mosby (Original post)

Sat Nov 30, 2024, 08:36 PM

Nov 30

Countless Democrats have reached out, from across the party — to thank me. . .

The word police will continue to patrol no matter how badly we lose, and a growing number of us are finally ready to move beyond them to start winning again.'

DJ Synikus Makisimus

(800 posts)

2. So the Democratic Party is OK with transphobia because Seth Moulton?

Reply to Mosby (Original post)

Sat Nov 30, 2024, 09:21 PM

Nov 30

A big tent party that stands for everything actually stands for nothing. Just sayin'.

Or is Seth Moulton in the right party (pun intended)?

mzmolly

(51,718 posts)

4. I don't think it's transphobic to understand

Reply to DJ Synikus Makisimus (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 30, 2024, 10:42 PM

Nov 30

biological differences when it comes to competing in sports.

DJ Synikus Makisimus

(800 posts)

5. See, I thought school sports were about exercise and having fun,

Reply to mzmolly (Reply #4)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 12:46 AM

Dec 1

at least until college, unless your parents or community live vicariously through your athletic performance. Up to that point I never really understood the "need" for gender segregation. I knew girls in high school who could throw a baseball faster and further than the boys that made the team, but couldn't play baseball, just for example.

Of course, once in higher education, you tend to become the justification for some lofty salary and perks of a coach and staff (depending on your gender and the sport), and for a select few schools, profit accruing to their endowment. Sports are a money-loser for most colleges and universities. And before you get into the opportunities scholarships provide, those moneys could be provided the same students without the sports infrastructure for less than it costs with. They do function as free minor leagues for several professional leagues (NBA & NFL in particular), where teams are owned by starving billionaires, however.

Or it about "proving" someone is "better" than someone else? If that's the case, then perhaps Seth Moulton is correct.

Skittles

(160,301 posts)

6. why is transphobia a bigger issue than, say, climate change or impending fascism

Reply to mzmolly (Reply #4)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 02:48 AM

Dec 1

WHY IS THAT?

mzmolly

(51,718 posts)

8. Because the right made it so.

Reply to Skittles (Reply #6)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 10:28 AM

Dec 1

It’s a distraction. One that worked apparently.

Skittles

(160,301 posts)

11. DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO PLAY INTO IT

Reply to mzmolly (Reply #8)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 04:26 PM

Dec 1

trans folk ARE NOT THE FUCKING PROBLEM

we have to find ways to combat the RIGHTWING HACK MEDIA

mzmolly

(51,718 posts)

12. No one said they were ...

Reply to Skittles (Reply #11)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 04:31 PM

Dec 1

Last edited Sun Dec 1, 2024, 05:44 PM - Edit history (1)

But they were used by the RW to distract from issues impacting us all.

Skittles

(160,301 posts)

13. it's not just repukes falling for that garbage

Reply to mzmolly (Reply #12)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 04:32 PM

Dec 1

over and out

mzmolly

(51,718 posts)

14. Agreed.

Reply to Skittles (Reply #13)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 04:42 PM

Dec 1

eom

lees1975

(6,101 posts)

16. What's transphobic about what he said?

Reply to DJ Synikus Makisimus (Reply #2)

Mon Dec 2, 2024, 11:45 PM

Dec 2

He has a right to express those feelings, and he didn't lie, or exaggerate, he was right in saying that transgender males are still biological males, and in athletics, that gives them an advantage when they play girl's sports. That's not being transphobic.

And when it comes to the sports competition, who's rights prevail, since everyone's are equal?

Sundance1220

(177 posts)

19. Self delete

Reply to lees1975 (Reply #16)

Thu Dec 5, 2024, 02:11 PM

Dec 5

Last edited Thu Dec 5, 2024, 03:01 PM - Edit history (1)

msongs

(70,275 posts)

3. LOG IN required to read article nt

Reply to Mosby (Original post)

Sat Nov 30, 2024, 10:08 PM

Nov 30

Celerity

(46,862 posts)

17. here

Reply to msongs (Reply #3)

Wed Dec 4, 2024, 01:18 AM

Dec 4

https://archive.ph/vHNoA

Passages

(1,430 posts)

7. Scapegoating while he relaxes to the right.

Reply to Mosby (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 08:43 AM

Dec 1

People required laws for their children of color to be integrated into white school systems.

It is not a matter of bad people vs good people, it is a matter of equity and indelible rights as a human being.

If he finds that he can't support economic and human/civil rights for all full throttle, he has a very cynical point of view.

dalton99a

(84,881 posts)

9. Democrats have been sidetracked by single issues - to be exploited by Republicans as potent weapons

Reply to Mosby (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2024, 11:19 AM

Dec 1

If Democrats want to win elections, focus on what people need - food, housing, utilities, insurance, health care, etc.

Verbalize, communicate, and repeat