Derek

I want to say something on pronouns, titles and honorifics with which some people may disagree - and that's OK. I would, however, simply ask if you're going to comment, argue or abuse me, do me the courtesy of reading all of this piece first. If a person presents as female, it is not unreasonable to assume they'd prefer female pronouns, titles and honorifics: she, her, miss, madam, etc. And vice versa for those who present as male. If in doubt, there are two things you can do: avoid all pronouns, titles, honorifics - or ask. At the end of the day, the person is just that - a person. That person has feelings just like any of us and, in my opinion, that person deserves respect and not to be deliberately bullied. Of course, we've seen plenty of people whose presentation is hard to guess and who bait others into using the wrong title, just so they can berate them. This is bullying, plain and simple. But the majority of cross-dressers and transfolk are those who have struggled. They don't deserve to be belittled. And, in any case, what does it matter to us how they present? It doesn't affect us in any way, when they aren't trying to entrap us and make us feel bad. I remember the story of Tony Abbott meeting Lt. Col. Cate McGregor. Cate said words to the effect of: "Of course, we've met before and we've known each other a long time. Back then, I was Malcolm McGregor." Tony Abbott paused and said: "What should I call you?" "Just call me Cate," she replied. They remained friends and he introduced an episode of Australian Story on her on the ABC. (They later fell out due, I believe, to Tony Abbott's stance on Same-Sex Marriage) I myself had a similar experience about forty years ago. A beautiful blonde woman kept giving me a "I know you" look across a restaurant. I knew she looked familiar and I wracked my brains and came up with nothing. Upon leaving, she called me by name. "I know that I know you," I said, "But I can't remember your name, sorry." "Well, when you knew me, my name was Phillip." It all fell into place and we caught up. We should indeed shun the bullies who use their identity to entrap people and then make them feel bad. But, at the same time, we should embrace those who have been through, and may be continuing to go through, difficult psychological, physical and mental struggles. If you don't know: ask. The genuine ones will thank you. The bullies will shame you. They're not worthy of your time. Here endeth the lesson. #The430pmDump

Story #2 - UK Mother JAILED for Taking Her Kids’ iPads Away A British mother was arrested and thrown in jail for over seven hours—all because she took away her daughters’ iPads to help them concentrate on their homework. The UK is spiraling out of control. The mother, history teacher Vanessa Brown, 50, was wrongly accused of theft after the iPads were traced to her mother’s home in Surrey. But the reality? The devices belonged to her own children—and she had simply confiscated them as a basic form of discipline. Brown described the experience as “traumatic,” adding that officers never once paused to consider whether this might be an overreaction. She was barred from speaking to her children, and one was even pulled out of school for questioning. This comes just weeks after another parent was arrested for criticizing a school in a WhatsApp group. This is Keir Starmer’s Britain. If this doesn’t scream dystopia, what does? Read the original report here: modernity.news/2025/04/12/mot…

Do not trust anything the @US_FDA approves.

@JohnStrandUSA @drawandstrike I know it's supposed to be "our guys" in charge now, but the FBI needs to pay compensatory and punitive damages for what they did. That, and prosecuting the individuals involved, is the only path to preventing civil rights abuses like this in the future.

I wonder if Clare O’Neil ever considers what she says before she opens her mouth? @ClareONeilMP on Labor’s latest housing promise. “We have a 40-year problem where our country has not been, number one, not building enough homes but importantly building homes at affordable prices that new entrants can afford.” Clare O’Neil “The only answer to this problem is for the government to actually get active on this.” she said. We have been hearing that for three years and nothing happens. But in fairness, your Labor government did get active Miss O’Neil but not building the promises houses under your numerous previous commitments. YOUR government got active in bringing in record numbers of immigrants!! Immigrants who take up housing!!! Lightbulb moment … more people, limited homes = shortages, increased prices. 🤷🏼‍♀️ #auspol