Senator Rand Paul questions Rachel Levine about puberty blockers

[andyoldlabour]

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

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?

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

Levine just got Stanilanded by Paul.

Very powerful. I was just about to post this.

Senator Paul is straight to the point. Respect.

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?

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.

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!!

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

Well done Sen Rand.

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.

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

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!

Go Rand Paul!

Has a British politician stood up and made such points?

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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."

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.

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

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

Levine did not answer twice

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.

@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.

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.