[Riley.]

Originally Posted by atypicalLIer

I have friendS who are transgender. Some are a bit more radical and will refer to the 'Alphabet Mafia' taking stuff down or causing issues when things don't go their way.

It would seem that the VT Digger was afraid of the AM and silenced you, lest they be targeted.

I think everyone should be able to express their feelings as long as they are not inciting violence, using profanity, or personally denigrating any individual. I also believe if there are rules of conduct for these public sites, they should be followed. If you violate the rules, I'd hope at least one warning would be given, and clarification on how a rule was violated.

I really just wish I knew exactly what got me banned, but they don't even have the integrity to respond to my inquiry. It's very disappointing because I was a long time reader, but I will no longer patronize their site. Not even a second chance for me apparently.

[atypicalLIer]

Originally Posted by Riley.

I think everyone should be able to express their feelings as long as they are not inciting violence, using profanity, or personally denigrating any individual. I also believe if there are rules of conduct for these public sites, they should be followed. If you violate the rules, I'd hope at least one warning would be given, and clarification on how a rule was violated.

I really just wish I knew exactly what got me banned, but they don't even have the integrity to respond to my inquiry. It's very disappointing because I was a long time reader, but I will no longer patronize their site. Not even a second chance for me apparently.

They feared retribution from the mob Anastasia and friends were inciting. I wager your comment -- if it referred to the transgender woman as 'a guy' -- made VT's censor quiver in his/her/their boots.

I'd bet money your comment was probably within the confines of the VT Digger rules. I got silenced by a local politician on Facebook simply because I called him "a career politician who followed in his father's footsteps and right into his father's old position." Nothing offensive, just the cold, hard truth.

[Riley.]

Originally Posted by atypicalLIer

They feared retribution from the mob Anastasia and friends were inciting. I wager your comment -- if it referred to the transgender woman as 'a guy' -- made VT's censor quiver in his/her/their boots.

I'd bet money your comment was probably within the confines of the VT Digger rules. I got silenced by a local politician on Facebook simply because I called him "a career politician who followed in his father's footsteps and right into his father's old position." Nothing offensive, just the cold, hard truth.

Your comment actually makes me feel a bit better. I think you are right....and I assumed...that my offensive comment was when I pointed out that everyone was referring to this 'guy' as a 'she.'

Now, to be clear, I actually have NO problem with transgendered people; you live the life you are born to live and I don't feel it is any of my business. However, to me, in this particular case, the male wasn't projecting a clear persona (and maybe that is the point? to make people uncomfortable? to prompt dialogue?) with his outward appearance. I also assume there are gradations of transgender and perhaps I don't understand that as well as I should.
I'd been reading about the Canadian kurfuffle with 'forced' speech and felt the article was pointing to a 'you must call him a her, even if your eyes tell you this is a male.' It seems my situation supports that.

I waded through the levels of VT Digger's own rules but couldn't really find anything on clear point if the comment I referenced was actually was got me booted. And they would not respond to my inquiry.

I appreciate you sharing your own experience and your willingness to have a civil chat about this.

[ben young]

AS a northern Coos County resident in NH,I read the VT-Digger to keep up with the Vermont Left thinking. We all have an opinion on subjects whether we vocalize. them or not. The publication leads the reader on a left leaning journey to the Wonder Land of Alice when up becomes down, and Left is correct and all other thought is suspect delusional White Supremacist. Like I said I read it but never comment in it.

[Riley.]

Originally Posted by ben young

AS a northern Coos County resident in NH,I read the VT-Digger to keep up with the Vermont Left thinking. We all have an opinion on subjects whether we vocalize. them or not. The publication leads the reader on a left leaning journey to the Wonder Land of Alice when up becomes down, and Left is correct and all other thought is suspect delusional White Supremacist. Like I said I read it but never comment in it.

Thank you Ben. I had been a long time reader of Digger and commented every now and again on their FB page. This particular story was really unfair, I thought, to people who complained about the 'gentleman,' frankly, because his outward appearance was mostly male. Confusion was understandable.

I've learned a lesson here....not that I would refrain from commenting when I am compelled.

We are looking to move your way because we are some of the few conservative people here in the People's republic and the whole leftist mindset and all that entails has just become a little too ubiquitous for us and the agenda is the only thing that seems to matter to these folks, over and above making this a more affordable place to live, 'fixing' the education tax issue, etc etc etc.

[atypicalLIer]

Originally Posted by Riley.

Your comment actually makes me feel a bit better. I think you are right....and I assumed...that my offensive comment was when I pointed out that everyone was referring to this 'guy' as a 'she.'

Now, to be clear, I actually have NO problem with transgendered people; you live the life you are born to live and I don't feel it is any of my business. However, to me, in this particular case, the male wasn't projecting a clear persona (and maybe that is the point? to make people uncomfortable? to prompt dialogue?) with his outward appearance. I also assume there are gradations of transgender and perhaps I don't understand that as well as I should.
I'd been reading about the Canadian kurfuffle with 'forced' speech and felt the article was pointing to a 'you must call him a her, even if your eyes tell you this is a male.' It seems my situation supports that.

I waded through the levels of VT Digger's own rules but couldn't really find anything on clear point if the comment I referenced was actually was got me booted. And they would not respond to my inquiry.

I appreciate you sharing your own experience and your willingness to have a civil chat about this.

I know several transgender persons. 2 male --> female; 1 female --> male. The first two transitioned at an age closer to the article subject's age while the third did so as a teen. The two transgender females have been very open and upfront about their transition. Both wore articles of clothing for their new gender as they underwent the process, but neither dressed like a wannabe hotsy-totsy nubile trollop on a street corner.

Reading the article, it felt as though this person was merely trying to create trouble, especially when they sent a friend in wearing the same thing, but not when the same staff was working. There was nothing you could have written short of "Go You!" or "Mean people at the cafe!" that wouldn't have gotten you booted. Readers were being trained how to react and respond.

The sun continues to rise in the east and set in the west, contrary to what Bizarro World would have everyone believing.

[Riley.]

Originally Posted by atypicalLIer

I know several transgender persons. 2 male --> female; 1 female --> male. The first two transitioned at an age closer to the article subject's age while the third did so as a teen. The two transgender females have been very open and upfront about their transition. Both wore articles of clothing for their new gender as they underwent the process, but neither dressed like a wannabe hotsy-totsy nubile trollop on a street corner.

Reading the article, it felt as though this person was merely trying to create trouble, especially when they sent a friend in wearing the same thing, but not when the same staff was working. There was nothing you could have written short of "Go You!" or "Mean people at the cafe!" that wouldn't have gotten you booted. Readers were being trained how to react and respond.

The sun continues to rise in the east and set in the west, contrary to what Bizarro World would have everyone believing.

More than one person has expressed to me that they thought the whole thing was a set up.

I already feel better staying away from Digger.

[mascoma]

I read True North Reports. They let you comment and don't ban you if you disagree.

[Riley.]

Originally Posted by mascoma

I read True North Reports. They let you comment and don't ban you if you disagree.

I'll try it. Thank you. I requested Digger remove my email from their system and reiterated my concerns about being 'banned.' Never heard another word back from them, so I guess they won't miss me Boo hoo. Not that I was a regular commenter or anything. Oh well...