How many points is a Khorkina?

Training one's body to match one's mind is not the same as having an operation and taking pills to shoehorn the match. Yes, eugenics is a heavy word that if misused can turn legislation to prevent an action into something it's not, so think about it - if one is so determined to compete as an athlete, there has to be a way one can do that without the chance of unbalancing the competition with the body one chooses to change into a different form.

(Before I continue, a definition: "Eugenics (/juːˈdʒɛnɪks/ yoo-JEH-niks; from Greek εὐ- 'good' and γενής 'come into being, growing')[1][2] is a set of beliefs and practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of a human population,[3][4] historically by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior or promoting those judged to be superior." Also, a few links to articles related to that "presumed superior athleticism garnered.")

Let me repeat - the body one chooses to change. Eugenics forces reproductive restrictions, the means to control "the genetic quality of a human population," upon others. While I still hold that the comparison between FGM and transgenderism can apply if there's pressure from family members or a community, electing to change one's own reproductive structures, choosing to alter one's own reproductive means, is not only "not precisely eugenics," it's not eugenics at all. It's that twisted use of the term that curls my stomach.

I'm interested to see how those placed to do so can find a way for trans people to fairly compete in sports (a small population doesn't make an imbalance any less of an imbalance). Also, though I disagree with the other side of this issue under the same objections I have to cosmetic surgery (changing the exterior rather than dealing with the interior), I don't see a need to prevent those who wish it from obtaining surgery, maintaining artificial hormone levels, and living happy and free as a trans person so long as it's done without taking the means to thrive from someone else. But what I hear here are complaints about an injustice being done, made by those committing an injustice themselves, and doing some impressive gymnastics to do so.

How hypocritical, short-sighted, and on brand.

(Disclosure - there's a recent article I came across on neurobiology and transgenderism whose link I haven't stored. Might have some bearing on the issue in general, I think, but not so much on the imbalance in physical competitions and professions or the risks in reproduction.)

- An actress using a foreign accent to portray a fictional character. Fascinating.

- Now the sickles have eyes on this platform, when news from both sides of the divide picked up the misdirection towards another platform? Why indeed would news from Darth Potato et al require more than a grain of salt?

- So glad those more knowledgeable than I are keeping an eye on how Dorian's doing.

- Slow news day, or the result of having to counter a-joke-too-far theories on Helen Keller, of all people?

- No book safe from a bonfire, as Dr. Seuss flap, Nathaniel Hawthorne flap, Shakespeare flap, Homer flap shows.

- Did I mention I'm not into book-burners?

- Ending with this because among the destruction, there has to be something that grows.