Good summary on this debate. As for the Sober Gentleman ... there will always be government.; the challenge is balance and trust between government and the governed. Some form of democracy has been the best solution to date to safeguard and maximize the well being of people.
It is sad that Trumps behavior warrants the tough approach that Harris used; it was necessary to take down a bully and no one else has done it successfully. We need a leader who can face up to bullies at home and abroad.
Democratic and socialistic governments are the general population's only protection against the power and avarice of the super wealthy...it has been so for hundreds of years. Non compliance is not a way out, it is an open gate for money to control people. If anything, our best way out is to support a constitutional amendment that will override the awful Supreme Court ruling of Citizens United, which proclaimed that money is equivalent to free speech.
The wealthy control the theatre of elections. Sovereignty is the only freedom. They will kill to retain power. But they are planning on culling the population, to reduce the population worldwide to 500 million and guess what, you are not part of that 500 million.
I disagree with your fact-checking. I think Trump was goood on abortion: let the states decide. I think his comments on Obama care were truthful: too expensive and not that helpful for people. He will not change it until he can find a less expensive more expansive program. I think he will end the Ukraine war -- which the US psshed Ukraine to pursue. I hope he will team with RFK Jr on tackling the chronic illmess (big pharma/govt and science collusion ) program.
Finally, NEITHER of them answered the questions from the moderators.. Low-level "debate"
Qasim, there are a number of things I could say about this post, but I'm just going to say that your parents used poor judgement, or were not thinking ahead, in having you born in Pakistan. You would without question be on the list if you had been born in the US. Well, at least we have you as someone with an incredible depth of knowledge and a wonderful way of communicating. And maybe the voters in your district will use their own better judgement next time you run for something.
He looked and sounded like Jabba the Hut on somebody else’s drugs. Just a frightening, sobering performance. Anybody who is still considering a bird vote for this man should forfeit their right to vote for civic stupidity. (Would that we could do that…)
Excellent as always. First, I want to agree entirely that Harris's response on Israel was weak. We've already drafted several ceasefire deals that Hamas AGREED to and Israel still refused. Clearly they will not stop.
As for "post-birth abortion" I think it's important that people understand this rhetoric is based on a grain of truth, so we can better refute it rather than handwave it. In 2002 the Born Alive Act was passed to insist that a botched abortion would provide care for a child that could potentially still survive. That would typically result in severe deformities that makes it questionable how humane it was, but the idea was the doctor could not just sit back and "let it naturally pass."
Another version of that bill was later introduced, but it was clear that it was just an excuse to find another way to threaten and prosecute doctors for providing abortion care. This is what they are referring to, so understanding the facts around this bill and the arguments made on both sides is important for stopping disinformation generated from it.
Hi Qasim, I love your work and super appreciate everything you do and all the time and effort you put into your work. This was a great article, as usual, and you always do an awesome job of linking to sources as well.
As a trans person, I would just ask that you consider rephrasing next time you reference trans healthcare? "Transgender surgeries" is not quite the correct terminology, and is a phrase that the far right tends to use to demonize us as "other", alien or somehow macabre. It's used as shock-value. In two hours of hate and vitriol toward just about everyone who isn't white, cishet, male, abled, nominally Christian, and wealthy, Trump's double-punch racist *and* transphobic comments about wrongfully imprisoned migrants seeking asylum were among some of the most disgusting.
It should go without saying that no one chooses to endure being trans in a healthcare setting unless they are, in fact, trans--it's difficult at best and goes quickly downhill from there. Nationalists and fascists love to make us the villain of the week, which of course reinforces systemic problems rooted in ignorance and fear that extend into the medical community. I know your intention was absolutely not to contribute to that, very much the opposite, and that's why I'm reaching out, just to offer my perspective. With that in mind, a better umbrella term, and the one utilized by healthcare professionals, queer advocacy organizations, and most trans folks, would be gender-affirming surgery, or just gender-affirming healthcare (or trans healthcare for short).
Thank you so much for hearing me out, and again, thank you so much for all the work you do. <3
Ren, I would like to have a conversation with you about "trans." Are you up for it?
I'm a psychiatrist -- have been for 46 years -- and I have a Substack account. I call most of my posts "The Doctor Is...In." If you're available to explore this topic, we could do it there. If you don't want to talk about it, I'm fine with that.
Hi, I’d normally absolutely willing to have a conversation on trans issues that could help out your readers—but between some of of what I’ve just read on your substack and the way you phrased your question, I’m concerned that this is one of those times where someone’s going to try to tell me that being trans is a myth, a mental illness, a “problem” I can “overcome,” etc. I’ve had quite enough of that in my life, so if that’s your intent, then I’ll have to decline.
You're doing a lot of guesswork ("someone's going to try to tell [you]..."), and I haven't said anything about the transsexual movement. So I'm going to assume that what you're saying is no, you are not up for a conversation about this. As I said, I'm fine with your preferring to decline.
Okay, so Qasim’s substack is not the place to have an in-depth discussion, but “transsexual movement” is super not the right language. You’re equating bodies with gender. The correct term is transgender, or trans for short—and it’s an umbrella term that covers folks who choose to transition physically and folks who don’t, and includes people who are genderqueer, gender-fluid or nonbinary, as well as agender people, who reject gender altogether. “Transsexual” is not a term we use, as it implies that the only way to be validly trans is to change our physical bodies, and not everyone wants to do that, and not everyone who wants to can afford to. It’s outdated and is lowkey offensive to some folks, so it’s much better to avoid that language.
In your article “The Sex Talk,” it’s admirable that you’re advocating both partners being pleased in bed. However, you’re speaking about sex as if it only happens between men and women when queer people have existed since the dawn of time. You’re ascribing biologically-designated character traits to specific genders, when gender itself is a social construct and it’s *socialization* (specifically gender-based socialization in childhood) that ingrains certain common traits in people. And you’re speaking as if there are two fixed genders only, both tied to one’s assigned sex at birth, when gender is not a binary in the slightest and assigned sex & gender are very much not the same thing. (And that’s not even addressing intersex folks.)
That whole set of issues, plus your apparent scorn toward patients for taking meds, and the pretty blatant racism you display the post titled “I’m starting to wonder what planet I’m on” (yes, lumping all Cuban people together is racist) are some of the reasons I really hope that you are asking questions to become a better person and medical practitioner, and not to bait anyone. I’d encourage you to check out some of the resources in the link I posted on my above comment as a starting point, if you are indeed looking to educate yourself. I hope that you are up for doing that work, and wish you luck in that regard.
Ren, perhaps you failed to understand me. I told you you get to pick one (either we have the conversation, in the other account, or we don't have the conversation), but not both. But you have chosen both, and in a very lopsided way. YOU get to say whatever you want, in the place we AGREED this conversation should not occur, while telling me in a variety of ways, including your comment above, which "responded" to things I never said, that I am not welcome to have my part of the conversation. I'm sorry to be harsh about this, but it seems to me you need to grow up.
Ren, I'm most tempted to point out that you're being very unfair. You declined a conversation with me yesterday. And I told you I wouldn't argue or take offense if you weren't interested. Today, you (rightly: I agree with you: that's why I suggested the other account) say Qasim's account is not the right place for this conversation (I already agreed with you: I said that myself), and then, you launch into your part of the conversation you don't want to have, and certainly not here. Pardon the pun, but you can't have it both ways. You can pick ONE. Then, you don't complain that the one you didn't choose wasn't chosen.
Hi Ren - Thank you for the kind words and for the thoughtful commentary. I want to always be fully respectful in how I convey a message. In this instance, I was quoting Trump's actual words, not including my commentary. I tried to make that clear by adding that Trump was engaging in bigotry, not in actual policy. Your message is well received and appreciated. Thank you.
WOW! Why, why, why did you NOT fact check her on the comment she made about Hamas "raping Jewish women" on 6/7 ??? That has been thoroughly DEBUNKED. Other than that, I thought her debate performance was outstanding.
I mentioned it but could have been more thorough. I'm flabbergasted that she's continuing this statement. She needs to separate herself from Biden on Israel policy. It's what 77% of Democrats want.
I think this is the major flaw in her candidacy and a drag on the election outcome for Michigan. Hoping that she will take a stronger stand and put condition on arms for Israel as a President; assume she is not in a position to change Biden's policy and hesitant to undermine him when she can't do anything on her own now. Just hope that Gaza will not be completely destroyed in the meantime... such a horrible situation.
That is a great write up, with fair assessments of where Harris came up short and the absolute disaster that was Trump’s performance and the innumerable lies he told.
I agree with most of the analysis except the bit about Ukraine. That goes in the same bin as “ Immigrants are eating your pets”. NATO strength has not been a counter to Russian aggression. NATO expansion and the Biden administration’s total lack of diplomatic talent led to the invasion. It was provoked.
And we’ve unfortunately already had the experience of sexism leading to Hilary’s defeat and the first Trump term. I don’t agree with Harris’ focus on the most lethal military, but I also acknowledge the fact that she is fighting an uphill battle against sexism and racism. Women oftentimes have to say things about military might in this overboard way to counter the very powerful, very wrong lie that women are too weak to be commander in chief.
Exactly right on all accounts although I think stating the two state solution was bold and she said territory with equivalent security. I would give her extra credit for that and discussing a cease fire even if she is not in a position to stop arms sales yet. Trump’s killing babies stuff is getting so old! And no policies for anything.
And it would be nice if she explained being in favor of fracking I fought so long to keep out of Illinois. I understand the frustration as civilians die at Israeli hands - ergo a need for a cease fire and I hope they pull it off soon- but wow did she show us the contrast and we can work with her ! The world can work with her.
Maybe we are stuck with the fracking that is already in place but can stop expansion? Of course the hope is that renewable energy will be cheaper, become widespread as in Germany and just replace fossil fuels
Agree but even making that statement is just reiterating U.S. policy for the last 75 years. But without meaningful movement or accountability it’s still just a statement, hence the frustration.
Hard agree! Her refusal to commit to, at the very least, no longer arming Netanyahu--and that's placing the bar on the floor--was the biggest disappointment and frustration of the night. You can't credibly say the words "two-state solution" while you're helping one state attempt genocide against the other. It's heartbreaking and frustrating, and means we still have a lot of work to do.
Good summary on this debate. As for the Sober Gentleman ... there will always be government.; the challenge is balance and trust between government and the governed. Some form of democracy has been the best solution to date to safeguard and maximize the well being of people.
It is sad that Trumps behavior warrants the tough approach that Harris used; it was necessary to take down a bully and no one else has done it successfully. We need a leader who can face up to bullies at home and abroad.
The government is the problem not the solution. Peaceful non compliance is a way out:
https://soberchristiangentlemanpodcast.substack.com/p/s1-ep-d1-scgp-peaceful-non-compliance
Democratic and socialistic governments are the general population's only protection against the power and avarice of the super wealthy...it has been so for hundreds of years. Non compliance is not a way out, it is an open gate for money to control people. If anything, our best way out is to support a constitutional amendment that will override the awful Supreme Court ruling of Citizens United, which proclaimed that money is equivalent to free speech.
The wealthy control the theatre of elections. Sovereignty is the only freedom. They will kill to retain power. But they are planning on culling the population, to reduce the population worldwide to 500 million and guess what, you are not part of that 500 million.
I disagree with your fact-checking. I think Trump was goood on abortion: let the states decide. I think his comments on Obama care were truthful: too expensive and not that helpful for people. He will not change it until he can find a less expensive more expansive program. I think he will end the Ukraine war -- which the US psshed Ukraine to pursue. I hope he will team with RFK Jr on tackling the chronic illmess (big pharma/govt and science collusion ) program.
Finally, NEITHER of them answered the questions from the moderators.. Low-level "debate"
Your evidence is “trust me.” Good luck with that.
Thank you for this well-researched fact check!
Qasim, there are a number of things I could say about this post, but I'm just going to say that your parents used poor judgement, or were not thinking ahead, in having you born in Pakistan. You would without question be on the list if you had been born in the US. Well, at least we have you as someone with an incredible depth of knowledge and a wonderful way of communicating. And maybe the voters in your district will use their own better judgement next time you run for something.
Haha thanks Fred. I’ll ask my parents to do better next time they give birth to their second child.
🧾🧾🧾
(I just figured out there's an emoji for receipts, yaasss!!! 😂)
Don’t know where bird came from, but please ignore it!
He looked and sounded like Jabba the Hut on somebody else’s drugs. Just a frightening, sobering performance. Anybody who is still considering a bird vote for this man should forfeit their right to vote for civic stupidity. (Would that we could do that…)
Excellent as always. First, I want to agree entirely that Harris's response on Israel was weak. We've already drafted several ceasefire deals that Hamas AGREED to and Israel still refused. Clearly they will not stop.
As for "post-birth abortion" I think it's important that people understand this rhetoric is based on a grain of truth, so we can better refute it rather than handwave it. In 2002 the Born Alive Act was passed to insist that a botched abortion would provide care for a child that could potentially still survive. That would typically result in severe deformities that makes it questionable how humane it was, but the idea was the doctor could not just sit back and "let it naturally pass."
Another version of that bill was later introduced, but it was clear that it was just an excuse to find another way to threaten and prosecute doctors for providing abortion care. This is what they are referring to, so understanding the facts around this bill and the arguments made on both sides is important for stopping disinformation generated from it.
Hi Qasim, I love your work and super appreciate everything you do and all the time and effort you put into your work. This was a great article, as usual, and you always do an awesome job of linking to sources as well.
As a trans person, I would just ask that you consider rephrasing next time you reference trans healthcare? "Transgender surgeries" is not quite the correct terminology, and is a phrase that the far right tends to use to demonize us as "other", alien or somehow macabre. It's used as shock-value. In two hours of hate and vitriol toward just about everyone who isn't white, cishet, male, abled, nominally Christian, and wealthy, Trump's double-punch racist *and* transphobic comments about wrongfully imprisoned migrants seeking asylum were among some of the most disgusting.
It should go without saying that no one chooses to endure being trans in a healthcare setting unless they are, in fact, trans--it's difficult at best and goes quickly downhill from there. Nationalists and fascists love to make us the villain of the week, which of course reinforces systemic problems rooted in ignorance and fear that extend into the medical community. I know your intention was absolutely not to contribute to that, very much the opposite, and that's why I'm reaching out, just to offer my perspective. With that in mind, a better umbrella term, and the one utilized by healthcare professionals, queer advocacy organizations, and most trans folks, would be gender-affirming surgery, or just gender-affirming healthcare (or trans healthcare for short).
Thank you so much for hearing me out, and again, thank you so much for all the work you do. <3
Warmth and appreciation from upstate NY!
-Ren
Ren, I would like to have a conversation with you about "trans." Are you up for it?
I'm a psychiatrist -- have been for 46 years -- and I have a Substack account. I call most of my posts "The Doctor Is...In." If you're available to explore this topic, we could do it there. If you don't want to talk about it, I'm fine with that.
Hi, I’d normally absolutely willing to have a conversation on trans issues that could help out your readers—but between some of of what I’ve just read on your substack and the way you phrased your question, I’m concerned that this is one of those times where someone’s going to try to tell me that being trans is a myth, a mental illness, a “problem” I can “overcome,” etc. I’ve had quite enough of that in my life, so if that’s your intent, then I’ll have to decline.
A good resource hub is https://translifeline.org/resources/ if you’re looking to educate yourself or support your patients.
You're doing a lot of guesswork ("someone's going to try to tell [you]..."), and I haven't said anything about the transsexual movement. So I'm going to assume that what you're saying is no, you are not up for a conversation about this. As I said, I'm fine with your preferring to decline.
Okay, so Qasim’s substack is not the place to have an in-depth discussion, but “transsexual movement” is super not the right language. You’re equating bodies with gender. The correct term is transgender, or trans for short—and it’s an umbrella term that covers folks who choose to transition physically and folks who don’t, and includes people who are genderqueer, gender-fluid or nonbinary, as well as agender people, who reject gender altogether. “Transsexual” is not a term we use, as it implies that the only way to be validly trans is to change our physical bodies, and not everyone wants to do that, and not everyone who wants to can afford to. It’s outdated and is lowkey offensive to some folks, so it’s much better to avoid that language.
In your article “The Sex Talk,” it’s admirable that you’re advocating both partners being pleased in bed. However, you’re speaking about sex as if it only happens between men and women when queer people have existed since the dawn of time. You’re ascribing biologically-designated character traits to specific genders, when gender itself is a social construct and it’s *socialization* (specifically gender-based socialization in childhood) that ingrains certain common traits in people. And you’re speaking as if there are two fixed genders only, both tied to one’s assigned sex at birth, when gender is not a binary in the slightest and assigned sex & gender are very much not the same thing. (And that’s not even addressing intersex folks.)
That whole set of issues, plus your apparent scorn toward patients for taking meds, and the pretty blatant racism you display the post titled “I’m starting to wonder what planet I’m on” (yes, lumping all Cuban people together is racist) are some of the reasons I really hope that you are asking questions to become a better person and medical practitioner, and not to bait anyone. I’d encourage you to check out some of the resources in the link I posted on my above comment as a starting point, if you are indeed looking to educate yourself. I hope that you are up for doing that work, and wish you luck in that regard.
Ren, perhaps you failed to understand me. I told you you get to pick one (either we have the conversation, in the other account, or we don't have the conversation), but not both. But you have chosen both, and in a very lopsided way. YOU get to say whatever you want, in the place we AGREED this conversation should not occur, while telling me in a variety of ways, including your comment above, which "responded" to things I never said, that I am not welcome to have my part of the conversation. I'm sorry to be harsh about this, but it seems to me you need to grow up.
Ren, I'm most tempted to point out that you're being very unfair. You declined a conversation with me yesterday. And I told you I wouldn't argue or take offense if you weren't interested. Today, you (rightly: I agree with you: that's why I suggested the other account) say Qasim's account is not the right place for this conversation (I already agreed with you: I said that myself), and then, you launch into your part of the conversation you don't want to have, and certainly not here. Pardon the pun, but you can't have it both ways. You can pick ONE. Then, you don't complain that the one you didn't choose wasn't chosen.
Hi Ren - Thank you for the kind words and for the thoughtful commentary. I want to always be fully respectful in how I convey a message. In this instance, I was quoting Trump's actual words, not including my commentary. I tried to make that clear by adding that Trump was engaging in bigotry, not in actual policy. Your message is well received and appreciated. Thank you.
WOW! Why, why, why did you NOT fact check her on the comment she made about Hamas "raping Jewish women" on 6/7 ??? That has been thoroughly DEBUNKED. Other than that, I thought her debate performance was outstanding.
Agree!💙💙💙💙💙💙
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna141789
I mentioned it but could have been more thorough. I'm flabbergasted that she's continuing this statement. She needs to separate herself from Biden on Israel policy. It's what 77% of Democrats want.
I think this is the major flaw in her candidacy and a drag on the election outcome for Michigan. Hoping that she will take a stronger stand and put condition on arms for Israel as a President; assume she is not in a position to change Biden's policy and hesitant to undermine him when she can't do anything on her own now. Just hope that Gaza will not be completely destroyed in the meantime... such a horrible situation.
I didn't know it had been debunked, glad to hear that!
https://mondoweiss.net/2024/03/heres-what-pramila-pattens-un-report-on-oct-7-sexual-violence-actually-said/
Thank you, I was hoping you'd do that!
That is a great write up, with fair assessments of where Harris came up short and the absolute disaster that was Trump’s performance and the innumerable lies he told.
Thank you for the work that you do!
Thanks for reading, Lee!
I agree with most of the analysis except the bit about Ukraine. That goes in the same bin as “ Immigrants are eating your pets”. NATO strength has not been a counter to Russian aggression. NATO expansion and the Biden administration’s total lack of diplomatic talent led to the invasion. It was provoked.
Fair. I just don't think Trump has any grounding to make any criticism, given his capitulation to Putin at every front.
Quasim, would appreciate understanding how US has some responsibility in Russia invading Ukraine...
Why do you think she continues to bring up the “Most Lethal Military” line?
Dems have long had a strange infatuation with trying to appease right wing voters. This is part of that approach.
And we’ve unfortunately already had the experience of sexism leading to Hilary’s defeat and the first Trump term. I don’t agree with Harris’ focus on the most lethal military, but I also acknowledge the fact that she is fighting an uphill battle against sexism and racism. Women oftentimes have to say things about military might in this overboard way to counter the very powerful, very wrong lie that women are too weak to be commander in chief.
Trump lost!
Exactly right on all accounts although I think stating the two state solution was bold and she said territory with equivalent security. I would give her extra credit for that and discussing a cease fire even if she is not in a position to stop arms sales yet. Trump’s killing babies stuff is getting so old! And no policies for anything.
Except to destroy what little is already in place! I do not want to fo back to the dark ages
And it would be nice if she explained being in favor of fracking I fought so long to keep out of Illinois. I understand the frustration as civilians die at Israeli hands - ergo a need for a cease fire and I hope they pull it off soon- but wow did she show us the contrast and we can work with her ! The world can work with her.
Maybe we are stuck with the fracking that is already in place but can stop expansion? Of course the hope is that renewable energy will be cheaper, become widespread as in Germany and just replace fossil fuels
Tracking causes earthquakes and people get sick!😬 not good
Agree but even making that statement is just reiterating U.S. policy for the last 75 years. But without meaningful movement or accountability it’s still just a statement, hence the frustration.
Hard agree! Her refusal to commit to, at the very least, no longer arming Netanyahu--and that's placing the bar on the floor--was the biggest disappointment and frustration of the night. You can't credibly say the words "two-state solution" while you're helping one state attempt genocide against the other. It's heartbreaking and frustrating, and means we still have a lot of work to do.
Again, we can hope that her refusal is because she can't do anything now and doesn't want to undermine Biden.