Transgendered children

I watched Barbara Walters' 20/20 tonight on transgendered children. These are beautiful children who as early as two are trapped in their own bodies. It is so sad for them, for their families. And people don't understand and can be so cruel. As explained by one of the parents tonight, transgendered is wanting to be the opposite sex; to be gay is to want to be with the same sex. To see the tears running down the faces of these mamas and daddies--and to see these little children crumble in tears because they are different and misunderstood--will just break your heart.

And no one can tell me that a little child knows anything about gay, heterosexual or transgendered. I believe there are hormonal differences and I don't believe for one minute that one "inherits" this. I believe that they are born with more "female" or "male" feelings or chromosomes. It is so confusing for these beautiful little children, and their parents are heartbroken and lost and don't know what to do. Some are so ignorant and bigoted that they would turn their back on their own flesh and blood rather than accept them, love them unconditionally and seek professional help for them. The suicide rate is extremely high among these children. Can you imagine being so sad, so depressed at the tender age of six that you pray God will take you away? And it comes to my mind the way they used to tie the hands of left-handed children behind their backs, to make them write with their right hands. Another stupid idea and this, to me, is the same principle.

It was an awesome program. I taped it. I wish that everyone could have seen it. It will open your heart and your mind to the heartbreak of these little ones who, although born biologically either as male or female, in their hearts and brains believe that they are either a girl or a boy and cannot function in their gender in a child's world, much less an adult's world.

Oh, that the people of this world would learn to be tolerant of those who are different--sexually, racially, physically, and mentally. The world is full of bullies who make the lives of those different a living hell. What courage for these little children to just get through a day. Would to God that we would all remember, "but for the grace of God, there go I.”

Holocaust Memorial

I attended the Holocaust Memorial Wednesday and for those of you who never have, I would urge you to make plans for next April. These forums are conducted nationwide in April--not just in Montgomery. (By the way, these are free to the public.)

There are only a few witnesses left to these atrocities and it is a stark reminder that the blind eyes and deaf ears still continue--in Damfur, Rwanda, Somalia, and countless other regions of the world. For those who ever believed this was untrue or exaggerated, I will remind them of Max Steinmetz's comment that he wished they had been there instead of him, then they would know the truth. It is an honor to be there and to remind ourselves of the hate and intolerance in today's world, even after all these years.

The Nazi Regime exterminated 11.5 million people, including 6.5 million Jews (40% of their population) and 5 million Christians. Of the 6.5 million, I believe it was stated that 1.5 million were children.

As stated yesterday, the crematoriums annihilated 5,000 people a day--the equivalency of the Auburn Montgomery student body; at that rate, the entire city of Montgomery would be executed in 43 days.

So let’s all remember to honor those survivors and to be sure that our children and grandchildren bear witness to what happened in those horrible five years during World War II.

VT Shootings

I, like the rest of the world, watched yesterday’s story unfold at Virginia Tech and, while there are questions and the need to blame someone, why don’t we start at the root of the problem? Who sold these weapons and a large number of "magazines” to this young man? Until America wakes up and stops making assault weapons available to the general public—with no questions asked--we will continue to see this violence. And what about all the violent videogames that children play? Games where you are knocking “people” over, slashing them with swords, “shooting” them? And the violence on TV, in the movies, in the music?

And I don’t want to hear “guns don’t kill, people do.” If the weapons weren’t so easily accessible, then someone would not have a trigger to pull. Sure, a person could come in with a machete or knife, but I hardly think you would have 33 people dead with such a weapon, do you?

Violence has been glorified in our culture and our children see it and are desensitized. Diplomacy and communication have been left by the wayside and violent means are learned at an early age to settle differences.

How very sad for these families; so many futures obliterated; so many great minds forever silenced. How sad for the shooter’s family. They, too, are victims of this tragedy. And we must remember the University officials, campus police and all other members of law enforcement who were faced with this trauma. To see members of law enforcement shaking with sobs is a scene not lost on this writer. May God have mercy on VT and the Blackburg community.

Don Imus

Well, this moron finally did it! I've only watched him for a few minutes--which, for me, was a "few minutes" too much. What was the attraction to him anyway? He is as despicable as Howard Stern (the one of Satellite Radio; the other--Howard K. Stern--is a whole new blogging topic!).

What he said about the Rutgers Black Female Basketball team members was beyond disgusting. And, unlike Mel Gibson, he can't say he was "under the influence." I applaud Cal Ripkin, Jr. for canceling his appearance on the show. It is good to see someone stand on principle in this world.

I have never trusted anyone who never looks anyone in the eye. Everytime I saw Imus, his head was bowed under that big hat, he was looking down and mumbling. I always switched the channel and am glad I did. He isn't worth watching and his hateful comments aren't worth hearing.