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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Steve Stanton's Reply

Many of us have been following the trials and tribulations of Steve Stanton, the city manager of Largo, Florida. Steve's legal representative has prepared a response to the city council:

 

Steve Stanton's reply to Largo Commision

 

Most of the response is two included articles titled "Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines" and "Transition Issues in the Workplace" both by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. These are both excellent articles and I highly recommend that all here read them thoroughly.

 

The preceding letter by Karen Doering of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Stantons legal council, presents a strong case for Stanton's highly regarded performance during his tenure as city manager. She also discusses briefly how Stanton was "outed" by the media before the proper presentation could be made to his employer. This is followed by a brief on the standards of care and a capsulized history of treatments. She summarizes by stating that "Mr. Stanton respectfully asks that the Commission reconsiders its preliminary decision and permit him to remain in office."

 

I like the way this story is unfolding. Stanton is pleading his case with calm resolution. However, the best resolution I see is a settlement in Stanton's favor. I think that it would be a very difficult thing for him to return to his job in such an electrically charged situation. BUT…. if he does and pulls this off…. he/she will be a shining example for all to see.

 

Cindi



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Theory and faith unite

A theory isn't a theory unless there are supporting facts. Until there are supporting facts, it's just a guess or postulation. For example, it is just a theory that the ball will fall to the ground if you let go of it. A theory is the best explanation given the facts that we can measure. If there is nothing that can be measured and tested, then it can't be a theory. This is called rational thought. Conclusions are based on tests that can be repeated.

Faith by its very definition "a belief in things not seen" is not rational. Now don't kill me for saying this, but it is not an explanation for things based on repeatable tests. Therefore, it does not follow the classic definition of rational thought. Our faith is based on many things, but it is not rational. It is how we feel. This does not mean that I deny that faith exists. I firmly believe that it does. I also believe that faith is an untapped power within us that we do not understand. But my belief is only that... a belief... a postulation. For I have no empirical evidence to support that belief.

The belief of those who stand judging is not a belief at all. It is, simply and purely, a hateful bigotry. You need no faith to be a bigot. You need no proof or reason. Someone is different than you and you find some way to exclude that person. It's really swell when you can base your stupidity on something else that your friends and family can agree with. This is how bigotry creeps its way into religion.

I've studied Christ extensively. Most of what is written of him is suspect for it was written decades after he died. Nevertheless, I find no bigotry or hatred in his actions or his life from these writings. He never condemned. He always opened his arms to the downtrodden and afflicted. He had immeasurable love and acceptance.

We do live in a time of tribulation. From the religious perspective, we can endure, we can be faithful. From the scientific perspective, we can research, we can look for explanations. Yet, these things are not enough to make things right. We have a duty, a responsibility, from both perspectives to unite and make the world a better place. Religion and rational thought can coexist with respect for personal rights and freedoms. That's where we need to look. That's where we need to go.

 

Copyright 2007 by Cindi Jones



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Monday, March 12, 2007

Contemplating Suicide?

When I considered suicide it was to "show them" or to "make them feel guilty or sorry" for me. It wasn't selfishness that motivated my thoughts.  It was an ending to punish those who knew me. I finally realized that sentiment had no logic. It had no resolution in MY favor.

When you are in the depths of depression, you can not think clearly. Rationalization is pointless. Thoughtful consideration of the facts does not work. Your bias is overwhelming.

I'm sure that there are many reasons people consider for suicide. In the depths of self doubt, who knows what you can dream up.

But since you are down there, in your hole, thinking, positioning yourself, and wondering, consider that you might be at the bottom. It may be that any small thing can improve your life. Know that it is possible for things to get better. Know that your depression is an illness that you can learn to deal with. Reason that. You can logically tell yourself that you have this illness of depression and you can get better. That logic can defeat depression.

Transsexualism doesn't create the depression. But it does seem that depression and the T walk hand in hand. Transsexualism brings its own challenges to the party. It is the fruitlessness of life as we see it that prompts many of us to build a new ladder and climb out of the hole we are in.  We call it transition.

The logic escapes us. The reality of improvement helps us feel the results of a cause and effect relationship. It is these results that motivates us and moves us forward.

Suicide is a reaction to the external forces we face and live with. It is a reaction to those around us. It is not an act we do for ourselves. So, yes, we are selfish. Moving beyond suicide and its grip is selfish. Pushing positive influences into our lives makes US better. Fulfilling our self realization is a selfish act which moves us beyond the feelings of inadequacy and doubt.

Life is worth living my friend. It is beautiful. I look out my window as I type this and see the velvet fluorescent green of fresh grass covering the hills. The cattle are tending to their calves and birds are singing. It is a moment to cherish. It is a moment of life.

Find the source of your anguish and deal with it. Get medical help if you need. But you must cease the endless thought process of logic where suicide is concerned. It leads nowhere and unfortunately has dire consequences.

Pick yourself up. Enjoy this moment for what it is. And know that you can overcome the obstacles and enjoy life.

 

Copyright 2007 by Cindi Jones



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Saturday, March 10, 2007

The Victim

I've been accused of "always being the victim" and in the next breath that I'm "egotistical". I sort of see the two as being mutually exclusive. I have been the victim in my life.  But when I started my transition, I vowed that I would no longer be one. With only a short stumble along the way, I've been true to my promise.

I am tenacious, stubborn, logical, and yes, at times even egotistical. I can honestly tell you that I am not a victim.  I am a winner.  I am successful. I am proud.  And there's the rub for THEM. I should be living my life in guilt and sadness for what I have done. In their view of cause and effect, success comes with obedience to their "laws".  I've broken their "laws" and I'm still successful. They can see that I'm still an honest and loving person which creates an overwhelming dichotomy that can't be resolved. They see that I am not the sinful devil their culture tells them I must be. They can't sort it out. It's a puzzle that can not be put together. So, they will lash out.  I understand this.

No, I am not a victim. But they are victims. I could never tell them that. They are the ones living their life in sadness and guilt. They are the ones that can't get past a road block in life. They are the ones that depend on God to make things right through endless prayer and reading of the scriptures. They are the ones who pull in the "victim blanket" to cover themselves. And then they wonder why God offers no answer, no hope, and no resolution.  I'm sorry kids, but you have the power to solve some of life's problems (actually, most all of them) on your own. God's answer to your prayers may be to ignore you. To get that star on your forehead, you've got to do it yourself.

CHIN UP!  YEA!

Copyright 2007 by Cindi Jones


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Sunday, March 04, 2007

Can good exist without evil?

Many religions can not exist without the preponderance of evil. It is inconceivable that reasonable moral values (like, don't steal, be nice to other people, don't rape your sister, etc) can not be taught without the vision of an empowered religious leader and buying into a religious cultism of sorts. No, atheists surely can not teach these values, for they do not believe in the values of goodness.

Yet, the atheists that I do know are the finest Christians I've ever met!  Go figure.
They are kinder, gentler, more understanding, more accepting, more GENEROUS to worthy causes... you name it, they are just nicer and more decent people than many Christians I've met in my lifetime.

Yes, religious zealots need an evil to fight. They need a battle to rally the troops. They need their master to lead them in difficult times.  They need someone to beat up.  Pretty sad huh?


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Thursday, March 01, 2007

Hey everybody... I just realized it's my birthday!

March 1, 1988 I had my surgery in Trinidad, Colorado. I'm a Biber girl. I was the second surgery he performed after he had recovered from a serious accident with one of his horses. I had waited 6 months for his recovery... was that every a tough one to sit out.

I've lived a lot of life since then.  I'm grateful for every single day.  I've learned to live again. I live my life to the fullest.  I've seen life from "both sides."  If I died today, I could honestly say that I've done everything that needed to be done, I've never left my loved ones without telling I love them, I have no major regrets.

Yes, there have been many problems, pain, obstacles, and family issues along the way. But I have refused to let these things interfere with my life and the happiness of my loved ones who share it with me.

I've had many successes and those are easily remembered. Financially, I've done better than I ever dreamed possible as a woman. I am very lucky indeed.

I feel honored to "know" my friends here. You have been wonderful. You have helped me in so many ways that you'll never know.  I've learned so much from you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Here's to another year!


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