First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020).  Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution.  More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1.  List and general description of entries to date.  Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations.  Profile of characters.  You’ll catch on quickly.  Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

Scene: Coffee shop near Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Jordan meeting with JC, a long-time friend.  They have been discussing a range of topics about the causes of the Revenge Revolution, one of which was the polarization caused by various laws.  A person at the next table interrupts them.  Conversation starts entry #201.  More about North Carolina law referenced, entry #200.

Jordan:  “So, Jacko, you think the only people who really do something for this country are those pick up a rifle.  You really believe that?”

Jacko:  “Yep.”

Jordan:  “What about the doctors and nurses who treated you…especially the medic who was in combat?  Did they really do something for the country?”

Jacko:  “Well, yes.”

Jordan:  “What about the people who made your uniforms, ammunition, assembled the vehicles?”

Jacko:  “Yes, I suppose so.”

Jordan:  “What about policemen, firemen?”

Jacko: “Yes, yes.”  

Jordan:  ““Ever see the movie ‘Schindler’s List’?”

Jacko:  “No, but I know what it’s about.”

Jordan:  “Then what about people like Oskar Schindler and others who risked their lives to help someone they had no real connection to.  How do you view them?”

Jacko:  “Gutsy, real gutsy people.  But I don’t know where you’re headed with these questions.”

Jordan:  “If someone like Schindler were transgender, would you think any less of him or her for what they did?”

Jacko:  “Never thought about it that way.”

Jordan:  “Society cannot just discriminate arbitrarily or because the majority doesn’t like some group.  At the same time society has to be reasonable making rules and laws.”

Jacko:  “I’ll grant you that we can’t just pick groups to discriminate against.  But what about the bathroom issue?  To me that’s the most important issue when we talk about those people.”

JC:  “Those people meaning transgenders?”

Jacko:  “OK, transgenders.”

JC:  “Jacko, are you concerned about women dressed as men peeing in the men’s room?”

Jacko:  “I’m more concerned for having men in women’s restrooms…and locker rooms.”

JC:  “Are you a woman?”

Jacko:  “Well, no.”

JC:  “Then why not let women decide who can pee in the women’s room.  I get tired of men claiming to have the best interest of women in mind when men haven’t a clue what it’s like to be a woman.”

Jordan:  “See, Jacko, I told you she was Miss Diplomatic.”

JC:  “You don’t have a clue either, Jordan.  Would you guys quit pandering me and the women in your lives?  Women face all kinds of safety issues around men.  Women start getting leered at and harassed as teenagers…and I’m not sure it ever stops.”

Jordan:  “Are you complaining about being a woman?”

JC:  “No I’m very happy being a woman.  I’m just saying women face a different set of issues than men.”

Jacko:  “But we’re just looking out for women’s safety.”

JC:  “In my most diplomatic way, why don’t you guys please let women decide women’s issues?  We don’t need your help, thank you.”

Jordan:  “Well, what about men in women’s restrooms and locker rooms?”

JC:  “Look, I’m not naïve.  Some jerk will probably put on a dress and claim to be a trans.  But life is filled with trade-offs…and more so for women than men.”

Jordan:  “So, you’re OK with transgender men in women’s restrooms and locker rooms?”

JC:  “For now, yes.  Earlier in this conversation we talked about the Department of Education directive.  Middle school and high-school transgender boys can’t just arbitrarily go into women’s restrooms and locker rooms.  The school has to be notified first and some agreement worked out.”

Jordan:  “True, and most of the angst about men in women’s locker rooms seems to be directed at kids past puberty.”

JC:  “From what I’ve read and seen, most trans-men are gentle souls.  Think about it.  Why would a guy want to dress like a woman, knowing he’ll be harassed and abused in an all-male restroom or locker room?  Seems to me we should at least acknowledge that transgenders are gutsy people.  You might not agree with them but they are gutsy.”

Jacko:  “Alright.  I don’t like it but I’ll agree that transgenders are gutsy.  And I’ll agree to let women take the lead on this issue.”

JC:  “Am I hearing things OK?”

Jacko:  “Yes you are.  As a Republican I’m in favor of smaller government and less regulation.  Maybe the Republicans should practice what they preach.  Let’s get government out of restrooms…”

JC:  “…and bedrooms.”

Jordan:  “Well, at least we reached some agreement.  Jacko, thank you for stopping.  I enjoyed the conversation.”

JC:  “Me, too.  And, Jacko, I won’t accuse you of being Archie Bunker anymore.”

Jacko:  “Don’t go too far, JC.  Archie’s one of my idols.”