Where Does It End?

Apparently a kid who was born a boy and now claims to be transgender was allowed to compete in the Connecticut state high school track meet--as a girl.  Is it a surprise he won his events, by sizable margins?

The kid admits he was born as a boy, but she identifies as a girl.  In rare circumstances only, can elite women compete with men.  Compare marathon times.  What person would put a woman at offensive tackle vs some NFL defensive lineman?  In an interview I heard, one guy said that if the UConn women's basketball team was put on the court with the UConn men's team, "the men might lose."  Maybe so, but I doubt it, really doubt it.

So, what happens when guys not good enough to make the NBA or the PGA Tour declare they "identify as women" and proceed to the WNBA and LPGA?  Is that far behind?  Will those doo-gooders (and I do mean doo) support the lost opportunities (think money!) for women?

I'm not taking an anti-transgender position.  In fact, I just finished a book about transgenders.  I do think, though, that someone with a male body, regardless of how he/she identifies, has a distinct advantage over most athletes with female bodies.  Consider strength, speed, etc.

I wonder about the whole thing.  How did the winner (and the transgender who finished second) really feel about the victory?  He/She appeared excited, but, deep down?  How did the girls (and their parents and coaches) feel about this, losing to someone with male physical abilities?  What about the boys'/girls' parents?  For that matter, how does this differ from the doping, esp the Soviet and Eastern European, scandals of the Olympics, the taking of male hormones by women athletes?  The state high school officials claim their hands were tied, that they had to permit the competition due to state law.  If, say, transgenders can use either rest room, they can compete in either meet, boys or girls. 

Perhaps some boys, honestly or otherwise, should claim to be transgender and insist on competing in girls' meets/events. 

If a person biologically a male, claims to be/identifies as a female, can he/she get, say, a college scholarship for the women's basketball team?  Would a coach even consider it?

I don't know anything of the NoKo deal.  But I find it very entertaining that those who criticized Obama over Iran are now lauding Trump over North Korea.  And, vice versa, those supporters of Obama's deal are critical of Trump.  That was probably predictable.

Some Hollywood-type (I, as usual, never heard of the guy.) made some comments about the Supremes' decision in the Colorado baker case.  The baker, citing his religious beliefs, refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding--or something like that.  The baker was sued and lost in the state courts, but the Supremes overturned the state ruling.  (I hope I have that right.  It's so hard to keep things straight nowadays!)  This Hollywood-type, who is smarter than you and I, disagreed and made some public comments that the baker should have to bake the cake when a gay wedding is held.  OK, I don't have a problem with this, if......  If this Hollywood-type agrees to make a commercial touting the bakery and the baker's religious beliefs.  Oh, the Hollywood-type doesn't agree with the baker, but thinks the baker should have to go against his beliefs.  So, then turn-around is fair play.  If the baker can be forced to go against his beliefs by others, so should the Hollywood-type in making the ad extolling the baker's religious beliefs.  Maybe not......

I listened intently the other day.  The person was saying something I didn't know; I realized I could learn from her.  So, I tried to drink in as much as I could.  So, then, why do so many people refuse to recognize others might, just might, know more than they do?  Why are they so reluctant, if not downright stubborn, when it comes to listening, to at least considering others' suggestions?  Just because somebody played little league and watches games on the boob tube does not at all mean that person really knows baseball.  I think far too many don't realize that.  And it goes beyond baseball and other sports.  I am willing to concede, too, that sometimes this describes me.  I was glad the person the other night grabbed my attention.  I not only learned some new things and gained some different perspectives, but also was reminded of learning from others in general.  Now, can I remember that?