SigMT

SIGNATURE MONTANA | 95 It's not wacky or crazy to suggest that, perhaps, media companies and figures who essentially rely on the First Amendment's protections to do their job, should not be cheerleading the government's monitoring of citizens' speech and should not be cheerleading the government's efforts to convince private actors, like Twier, to censor that speech. It's ok to ignore the ever-multiplying cries of "misinformation" or "stochastic terrorism." Too oen, misinformation is merely something that the accuser disagrees with. As we learned through the pandemic, it is not unheard of for "misinformation" or "conspiracy theories" to turn out to be true. e characterization of so-called misinformation is merely being fed to the masses to get us used to the government's censorship of ideas that do not fit the government's preferred narrative. Likewise, the idea that you are somehow responsible for the crazy acts of anyone who might espouse some political beliefs similar to yours is also just a way to shut you up. You do not have to accept it. It's ok to believe that merit and competence should be at the forefront of our society rather than identity. Of course, everyone should get a fair shake, but it is not, per se, unreasonable to suggest that bridge builders, surgeons, and airline pilots should earn their positions based on technical excellence, not because they fill a quota or check a box. You are allowed to believe that life-changing drugs or surgery should not be provided to minors who might think they are the wrong gender. ere are many things that we do not allow minors to do--it seems that permanent medical treatments or surgeries can reasonably fall into that list. at doesn't mean you hate trans kids -- however loosely that term might be used on any given day. You do not have to allow others to define your speech for you. For example, some trans activists say that if you disagree with them, you are contesting their right "to exist." You can say, "No, that's not true. You do exist. I simply do not accept your point of view about gender versus sex." Trans theory and gender theory are just that: theory. Is there a scientist alive today that you believe is credible enough to make an irrefutable conclusion that runs contrary to 6 million years of human history? Since when did we come to the conclusion that a small group of people gets to develop a "theory" and thereaer presume to decide your value as a person based on your agreement with them? You are allowed to believe that no gender theory or other sexual theory should be taught in schools, or at least not until a certain age. at is not hateful. You are allowed to disagree with people; just treat all people with dignity and respect. (And treating them with "dignity and respect" does not mean that they can dictate their political positions to you without a right to oppose them. Disagreement is not "hate," nor is it "aacking" them, no maer how many times they say it is.) You are allowed to express your opinions about what is taught in public schools, even if you did not study education. One Republican, Larry Hogan, suggested that laws limiting the teaching of gender theory in public schools are "authoritarian." In response, one writer said: "Historically, the government has been permied to tell government

• Cover