by Mike Pyatt
“Cogito ergo sum,” is a Latin philosophical proposition by French philosopher, Rene Descartes, usually translated into English as “I think, therefore I am.” This proposition became a fundamental element of Western philosophy, circa 1644, as it appeared in Latin, in his Principles of Philosophy. Translated in French, “je pense, donc je suis,“ he asserted that the very act of doubting one’s existence served, at a minimum, as proof of one’s own mind. In a similar vein, the Scripture posited, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” The former is a existential validation of self. The latter’s a validation of internal authenticity. It doesn’t mean if you’re a rotund five-foot tall white male, but “feel” you’re a six-foot five, svelte female from Senegal, that its fact, or entitles one to special privilege-except the loony bin.
That was then. Deep thinkers expounding on existential issues. Today, the emphasis is subjective, how one feels, turning Descartes on his head. Feeling has supplanted thinking. The Obama Administration under the “boot strap” tactics of the Department of Justice and Department of Education, issued a heavy handed letter to the states that public school students have the right to “feel their way” on any given day, permitted to use the rest room or locker room of choice. To date, twelve states have filed suit opposing the illegal intrusion. Texas rebuffed the Feds saying they didn’t need their filthy lucre. There’s no end to such subjective non-sense. The far left may’ve reached the opus of their lunacy on this one-if possible.
The issue for those states filing a law suit’s that they believe the Obama Administration guidelines are “outside the bounds of the constitution.” Title IX, a federal statue that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender at educational institutions that receive federal funding. It does not, however, have the force of law, though schools districts could risk losing federal dollars if they fail to comply. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has led the charge challenging the way in which Obama’s trampling upon the US Constitution. He maintains nearly 90% of our existing laws never passed through Congress.
Title IX, from its inception in 1972, the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, when President Nixon signed it into law, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education program or activity. It primarily assured that colleges offered female athletes the equivalent as their male counterparts, regardless of financial considerations. It had nothing to with “gender preference.” Gender meant male or female. Back then no one in their right mind considered male or female who “felt” they were otherwise. It had no bearing on male or female students sharing bathrooms or locker room. Or gaining special privilege in either facility. It’s a subversive assault on Judeo-Christian values, attempting to redefine our culture, masquerading as “educational equality.”
Advocates for “transgender students” created support, ex nihilo, from the original Title IX. It wasn’t until 2014, in Department of Education guidelines that instructed public schools to treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity-permitting a transgender boy access to boys only class; likewise to the transgender girl. The memo recklessly stated, “Under Title IX, a recipient must generally treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity in all aspects of planning, implementation, enrollment, operation, and evaluation of single-sex classes.”
Some may recall the landmark 1984, Supreme Court, Grove City v. Bell, with Grove City College prevailing regarding Title IX funds. There are suffocating strings attached to federal hijacking of individual rights versus elitist protected classes. The feds followed up with the 1988, Civil Rights Restoration Act, to bridge the gap lost in the Grove City decision. Federal agencies are intoxicated with raw power, trampling our Constitutional rights, imposing further regulations, that would otherwise be inviable.
Informed parents understand it’s much more than the occasional “straying” into the “wrong bathroom,” by some confused, malcontent youth. We’re told to be tolerant and patient when, for example, an 11 year old daughter is exposed to sharing the shower or locker room with a “boy who feels like a girl,” on any given day. What about her privacy and innocence? We’re told, by the Charlotte, North Carolina, City Council, who ignited this melee, that “just like the civil rights movement with blacks,” we must get comfortable with “inconvenient change.“ They’re charging us with misoneism. None should be duped into believing that it’s only about students.
According to the Daily Caller, a “female” teacher was awarded sixty-thousand dollars, as the result of a suit against a Oregon school district, claiming she suffered from “discriminatory treatment and harassment,” from other faculty members who refused to use “the proper pronoun.” “She” wanted to be addressed as a “they” rather than “she or he.” “They” changed “its” name after a double mastectomy, and “gender identity change.” Confused? How can we exscind this government over-reach?
South Dakota State Senator, David Ormdahl remarked at a Coffee Legislative meeting regarding two pieces of legislation that would restrict transgender rights, “I’m sorry your so twisted and don’t know who you are.” That earned the wrath of fellow lawmakers, and citizens, condemning his comments. Was it true? Not everyone disagrees. Senator Ted Cruz has opposed transgender “rights” to include gender-open bathrooms in schools, calling it “lunacy.” He added, “My five year old knows there’s a difference between boys and girls.”
Rather than reacting to the rhetoric and divisiveness of President Obama, and his addled acolytes, our focus must be on individual action, marshalling local school boards, and legislators to reject such obtrusive, invidious federal action, calling on Wyoming Governor Mead join the law suit as co-belligerents against this tyrannical intrusion into individual and state rights. The American Center for Law & Justice, warned, in its Amicus Brief, to the Supreme Court, on Same Sex Marriage, sagely, that the fluidity of sex roles have devastating consequences far beyond marriage itself. Another Trojan Horse? “Feel” like you won the lottery this week? What do you think?
Mike Pyatt’s a Natrona County resident. His email’s roderickstj@yahoo.com
