Things I Think…
1. I’m irritated that I should even have to write this…but biological males shouldn’t be in women’s sports. I’m irritated because such a position should be a matter of common sense and not in the least bit controversial…
2. This stated belief is not discriminating against transsexuals…I always identified with Fran Tarkenton, but the Vikings thought I was too small…because I am…they are not discriminating against small humans because they hate them, but because we lack the qualifications to play well…
3. Every job, every position in society, has certain qualifications…to play women’s sports, the qualification is to be a biological woman talented enough to compete in whatever sport they want to play…this is not complicated…
4. This thought is not as irenic…biological males trying to play in women’s sports are losers…like the high school kid who dominates grade school kids on the playground…
5. Another reason this irritates me is the political and social air it consumes…when we have real problems that affect us all…
6. Just got the news that Dolly Parton has died and the light just got a little dimmer…she used her wealth and fame for the common good…
7. One of the hardest parts of aging is seeing the icons of your life pass on before you…a constant reminder that your day is coming…
8.“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”(Psalm 90:12 NLT-SE)
9. Naturally, social media has exploded with debate over whether Dolly was a Christian or not…have they no shame?
10.
(#2) When I was growing up, I knew a kid who identified with Cincinnati Bengals kicker Horst Muhlmann. Man, that was weird.
I loved basketball and at 11 decided I’d like to be 6’11”. I only made it to 5’11”. I’m not that athletic, so height would have been my primary asset!
Dolly must have been a teenager when I saw her on The Porter Wagoner show in the 60s. Mortality does not relent at all.
Possibly irritating bc it is at war with the HOLY SPIRIT within you. I believe the unseen war is the irritant and truth is the only resolve. The truth being we male/female are genetically different otherwise there would be no need for “transitioning” it’s that simple and that complex from where I sit.
Many Christians like to know who’s in and who’s out; that’s why they’re arguing whether or not Dolly Parton was Christian. You would think those who see themselves as saved solely by grace would not be so focused on who qualifies for it by belonging to the right tribe.
RIP Dolly
To the degree that I care at all about professional team sports — and that is admittedly not at all — I agree with your position that biologically male athletes should not be permitted to compete in women’s sports. But the most prominent spokesperson for that position, Sophie Cunningham,who is splattered all over the news and social media these days for that position, loses moral clout based on her reposting of social media comments that express extremely inhumane positions on the issue of undocumented immigrants; she taints the former cause with her position on the far more important latter one.
Ted,
That’s rich…I’m a loyal Viking fan, but I never aspired to be Fred Cox…even though he was closer to my size.
Now, after he retired, he invented the Nerf ball…so it was good to be Fred Cox…
Terry,
She was young then…and unlike Porter, could sing…
Robert F,
Some of the same people denying that Dolly was a Christian affirm that Trump is.
Judgment Day is going to be a hell of a surprise…
Robert F,
Sophie is prominent in this debate because it’s her livelihood that’s threatened.
Also threatened are the opportunities for younger girls to compete with each other at the high school and college level.
That needs to end now.
Peggy,
I’m big on acknowledging the design of the Creator while allowing distortions from the fall.
It is not the design of the Creator to have His girl children bullied by His boy children at any age…so yes, there is the witness of the Spirit here…
Even classical music partisan and culture snob Norman Lebrecht had a fairly generous RIP for Parton today. Jennifer Higdon, the contemporary composer who wrote a violin concerto for Hilary Hahn, turns out to be a Parton fan.
Country is not generally my thing but I found that I liked country songs if they were written by Hank, Merle, Johny, or Willie and also Dolly. Parton was, for me, the last of the big name country singer songwriters where her songcraft set standards for songbook material. Whitney Houston made one of her songs famous but Parton still had to have written it.
Shifting the conversation by way of aspect transition, Parton’s musical life can suggest that cross-over and a kind of pop culture ecumenicism has been more common in music than rigidly policed genre fences. There may be plenty of Christians and music fans who are against ecumenical exchange but I think I have belabored the typology enough as is.
#9:? What a. bunch of clowns and clods.
–This one hurts like hell–
“For me, one of the biggest takeaways of Dolly’s passing is the way she reminded us what wealth and influence can do when they are in the hands of someone whose life is oriented outward, someone who remembers what it is to lack, someone who values being human over being a billionaire.
With a staggering personal portfolio of publishing royalties, tour revenue, licensing deals, business ventures, property investments, and the spoils of a lifetime in the highest echelons of the entertainment business, Dolly Parton could have had more with every little effort.
She could have followed the lead of the Musks and the Bezoses and the Zuckerbergs and the Ellisons. She could have hoarded her fortune, growing more narcissistic and tight-fisted. She could have partnered with the legion of malevolent power-holders, motivated only by the insatiable allure of more. She could have exploited the influence she acquired to amass even greater fortune.
Instead, Dolly Parton spent her life giving her wealth away.”
— John Pavlovitz
someone on social media just said something that rings true…she was the epitome of overcoming bad with good…may it be so of all of us…
This one hurts. Many have referred to Dolly as a national treasure. While I think that phrase is severely overused, in her case, it’s absolutely true.
Amen to #1-5.
Humbling indeed to watch people pass away. Amen to #8.
She was what is known in the business as a class act.
I’m certain that many prayers are going up for those who were close to her.
The Trans in sports thing…
Y’all know I am far left of left, but I have serious issues with a couple of notions.
1. Children are simply incapable of making the decision to transition. I know what I was like as a kid, and almost none of my decisions were wise. I never thought about something like transitioning, but if I had, I would have been irrational.
2. Trans women can have their own sports. Sports can also sanction multi-sex sports. There are ways to go about accommodating people without irrational demands.
Voters are hung up on this social issue, and it’s a distraction that can cost people’s lives if it supersedes issues that affect how you will be able to afford to live.
I hate to be such a partisan loudmouth, but I have been calling radio shows and shouting down Liberals for even allowing social issues like this to dominate mere minutes of political commentary. Let Conservatives spin out of control on peripheral social conundrums.
Reuben,
You are spot on in my opinion…wish that such common sense was, well… common…
Asa Vikings fan I always felt a kinship with Tommy Kramer, loved the way he played with a swashbuckling confidence. ironically, I ended up playing linebacker because I didn’t have the gun for QB
Ray,
Directly in front of me, on the wall behind my computer…hangs an autographed Tommy Kramer jersey.
Kramer was recently diagnosed with dementia, but is very active raising money for cat centered charities and shelters.
A man after my own heart…
Mike,
Now I’m jealous, I have A Kramer jersey although not autographed. that’s great he’s a cat guy as am I although haven’t had a any the last few years. I met him here in California at the Southern California Viking Club back in the 90’s, fun guy.