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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Senator Rand Paul questions Rachel Levine about puberty blockers

133 replies

andyoldlabour · 25/02/2021 19:33

This is well worth a watch, because Rand Paul is bang on about this subject.

OP posts:
teawamutu · 25/02/2021 19:47

I really hate who I'm agreeing with at the moment.

The total refusal to answer is shameful. I assume Levine will be confirmed anyway?

Jaxhog · 25/02/2021 19:53

Wow! Can't even answer a straight question other than with a standard and meaningless statement.

NotBadConsidering · 25/02/2021 19:58

Levine just got Stanilanded by Paul.

Awning10 · 25/02/2021 19:58

Very powerful. I was just about to post this.

Erkrie · 25/02/2021 20:08

Senator Paul is straight to the point. Respect.

persistentwoman · 25/02/2021 20:08

That's #nodebate in action. It's embarrassing isn't it - having to listen to a medic painfully unwilling / unable to answer questions about safeguarding children?

ARoombaOfOnesOwn · 25/02/2021 20:22

It’s becoming clearer that when people decide to properly investigate this they become really well-informed. Great to see Keira Bell referenced!

Levine clearly wants a private Stonewall style “re-education” chat instead of a debate.

NancyDrawed · 25/02/2021 20:31

What stood out to me was that the same statement was repeated (leaving out the robust research claim second time around). Don't deviate from the script Dr Levine!!

PamDenick · 25/02/2021 20:45

I no longer think of politics and politicians as left or right but truthful or not.

Well done Sen Rand.

bellinisurge · 25/02/2021 20:55

I dislike him immensely. And I know the TRA line is that we are all right wing Stepford Wives.

But it's not about right and left anymore. I can still despise Rand Paul and be pleased this conversation is getting some airing in the legislature.

Toseland · 25/02/2021 20:58

Well that’s really odd. What a response, why the insistence on a private chat?

LizzieSiddal · 25/02/2021 20:59

I thought something had gone wrong with the video then realised it was Levine repeating her answer. How can anyone put that person in charge of health!

Childrenofthestones · 25/02/2021 21:20

Go Rand Paul!

Has a British politician stood up and made such points?

BraveBananaBadge · 25/02/2021 21:26

A lot of Twitterverse crowing that his line of questioning was transphobic. For him, his stance on the issue could well come from that kind of place unfortunately. But Levine had the platform here to directly call that out, defend her line, argue her case, educate us all... and just ended up looking shifty as hell.

Justhadathought · 25/02/2021 21:40

I dislike him immensely

Interestingly I have seen him 'perform' twice now and both times he has seemed utterly reasonable, even if determined......I'm British by the way, so have no prior prejudice on the basis of party politics

What exactly is it that you dislike about him?

Justhadathought · 25/02/2021 21:42

For him, his stance on the issue could well come from that kind of place unfortunately

If you are honest would you say that judgment is based on political allegiance, rather than on the basis of his questioning?

Have to say i wish a British politician would pose direct and tough questioning such as that.

Delphinium20 · 25/02/2021 22:12

Only time I think I've agreed with exactly what Rand Paul said.

NotBadConsidering · 25/02/2021 22:16

Rand Paul is a doctor, albeit an ophthalmologist, so I imagine he’s coming at it from a perspective of understanding the realities of what puberty blockers do and an ability to appraise the lack of evidence for their use.

It seems to many it’s more important that it’s the “wrong” person asking the right question. The problem is as soon as the “right” person asks the right question they immediately become the “wrong” person, and too many “right” persons are happy to ask the wrong questions to make sure it doesn’t happen to them.

OvaHere · 25/02/2021 22:28

I don't know a lot about him other than he is of the libertarian right rather than the religious right.

I do remember reading this last summer during the BLM protests. It appears that he listened somewhat on this issue and tried to do what he felt was right.

(unless I'm missing the bigger picture here and this was some sneaky political move I don't understand)

edition.cnn.com/2020/06/11/politics/rand-paul-bill-no-knock-warrants-breonna-taylor/index.html

"After talking with Breonna Taylor's family, I've come to the conclusion that it's long past time to get rid of no-knock warrants," Paul, a Republican, said in a statement. "This bill will effectively end no-knock raids in the United States."

BraveBananaBadge · 25/02/2021 22:35

If you are honest would you say that judgment is based on political allegiance, rather than on the basis of his questioning?

Fair enough, I don't suppose me and Rand Paul would see eye to eye on much. This seemed like fairly rigorous evidence-based scrutiny to me. But then you will see headlines attached to stories like this screeching about "disgusting" and "abhorrent" views.

While I have become more comfortable with the idea of the strange bedfellows you can end up with on this issue, I still struggle with wondering what it is I'm not seeing when other people are so hurt and offended by supposed 'transphobia'.

I'll be interested to see if Levine says anything after the fact, as she completely missed the most effective opportunity she had to take Paul to task if she thought he was wrong.

littlbrowndog · 25/02/2021 22:39

Levine. Refused to answer as to whether minor children could consent to having their breasts cut off and their genitals changed twice

The point of the questions was about minors

Levine refused to answer twice when asked twice

littlbrowndog · 25/02/2021 22:41

Do children understand and are capable of consenting to puberty blockers and sex hormones that are prescribed off licence

Levine did not answer twice

Whatwouldscullydo · 25/02/2021 22:42

I dont know who this guy is really. I cant judge where it came from or whether ir not I'd agree with him on anything else.

But in this instance he asked reasonable and very important questions. Questions that were very clearly evaded.

If there is to be an argument about whether or not he had a point . Twice. it might be advisable to answer with a counter point first.

Soontobe60 · 25/02/2021 22:42

@NancyDrawed

What stood out to me was that the same statement was repeated (leaving out the robust research claim second time around). Don't deviate from the script Dr Levine!!
Like a bloody robot. Notice how the voice went lower the more Levine spoke.
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 25/02/2021 22:51

What exactly is it that you dislike about him?

He's a fucking loon in many respects - climate change sceptic, militantly anti-abortion, agrees that Trump won the election, supports a load of weirdo conspiracy theorists. I can't think of an exact UK equivalent - maybe imagine the love child of Nigel Farage and David Icke.

OTOH he is a lot more reasonable on immigration and the treatment of immigrants than most Trumpers. And, it would appear he is capable of rational thought on transitioning kids too.