That could be my son. This thought has been stabbing at me for the past two days since they identified Charlie Kirk’s killer. And, if I’m being honest, it’s been niggling at me for the last three years with every senseless shooting perpetrated by a lone, white, young male.
I not only will be having these conversations, but as someone who went through a life of being socially rejected because of immutable traits, I now have a solution.
Im sorry but I blame the parents. Blaming metro and everyone else is an excuse. The bad news is your kids were alone and you didn't notice. The good news I am telling you truth so you can go and start connecting without judging, and your kids will thrive. I have had the same experience with youngsters as you have. I was lucky enough to see my role in the alienation, in not being present enough, WITHOUT judgement. As a conservative this will be even harder for you. Get to it.
I think this, in some way, speaks to the importance placed on identity and how in a very real sense, opinions get reshaped within the 'ident-o-shpere' as an identity which from there tend to become something where disagreement feels like personal attack. In the internet age, people aren't "real", they all have the same voice in our head as the conscious when it tells us "don't do that". Ultimately, we just end up drowning in the sea of androgenous voices on the inside.
There's a subtle danger, like a floor of shattered glass; hard to see, easy to step on
I keep thinking about his roommate/romantic partner who seemed genuinely shocked in the texts. I read that he has left the home they shared and gone into hiding. I wonder if he was a shy, socially awkward teen/young adult that is now dealing with insane amounts of negative attention because of his trans identity and boyfriend’s actions. I wonder if there is regret piling up for either of them? I’m praying for both of them and their families too. Not for anyone to escape consequences but that they would also find grace and peace in Jesus.
I don't know why my son chose trans, but I have a feeling that if I was a young man - quiet, introverted, possibly wondering whether I was gay, seeing online how a man is supposed to act - I would be afraid to grow up to be one. I think porn has a lot to answer for.
It seems to be a sinister plot, in my opinion. The D-Party's fetishizing of abortion and non-heterosexual identities will lead to extinction, or at least it will cull the population that for whatever reason, hates itself thanks to hate thyself messaging.
I teach at a progressive university that has pushed us to promote these dangerous ideas, complete with pronoun swag -- bracelets and badges.
How to undo the feminist messaging that male libido is a crime? Certainly not by turning men into botched females.
Yet they are so indoctrinated, one of their own slayed the very man who was out there, protecting them.
I don't have sons, but I sense a similar ideological disdain in my "non-binary" daughter towards heterosexual couples (although she expresses attraction to males so it makes little sense). It seems for some of these confused kids, a disdain for family or anything else perceived as a conservative value is the norm.
"Delving into this topic, it would appear that we are mired in trans ideology. The information that we come across in daily life, and the information that we find when we search is predominantly of one persuasion. Expressing the view that sex is based on biology and is immutable, that nobody is born in the wrong body, and that women have a right to single sex spaces and sports, has become controversial. As a result, many people keep quiet, and so the ideology beds in further.
Does this sound like a cult to you?
Again, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it just may be a duck."
Wow, this is fascinating. Thanks for sharing, found your link in today's Free Press in the comments section. Thank you for elucidating a really controversial topic that I know very little about.
I put it in the comments for a Free Press Article:
"Trump and RFK’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Autism Press Conference
By Joe Nocera — 09.23.25
What made the president and his health chief’s comments on Autism and Tylenol such a disaster? Let me count the ways, writes Joe Nocera."
I said:
First, I only read the title and went to comments.
Second, when I was growing up we all took Aspirin and thought there was no downside.
Then, we learned that children shouldn't take Aspirin because of - risks.
Third, does anyone remember Thalidomide for pregnant women suffering nausea?
During early pregnancy very important steps occur in the formation of the brain, the spinal cord and the eyes... maybe less is more and we should put up with a little headache? Maybe there is some interaction between genetics (older dads?) and environment (acetaminophen in the womb during early pregnancy)? We know that insufficient folic acid leads to bad outcomes.
Anyway, to me it is crazy to just shoot this down out of hand because it came from "one side".
My trust was lost prior to Covid with "Gender Affirmation" at high school and "Transgender Affirming Care" which is a big industry now for pharma, plastic surgeons, regular doctors...
Today's powerful PITT:
"That could be my son. This thought has been stabbing at me for the past two days since they identified Charlie Kirk’s killer. And, if I’m being honest, it’s been niggling at me for the last three years with every senseless shooting perpetrated by a lone, white, young male."
It wasn't their own identity that they were made to hate. Boys in elementary school were told to ask their friends if they would ever "date a trans girls." If they said no they were told to call their classmate a transphobe. The whole "transphobia" notion was just made up out of thin air and it was taught as gospel in schools.
Luckily many middle and high school students today know how stupid all their trachers are and completely laugh at the things they were taught. It might be to late to save you g men and women between 20 and 30, but at lea now kids know better.
More people to hear this. When will it end if not? Thank you. This is so true and you’re not alone. I am also a mom of a son saying “that could be my son.” It’s alarming. I pray for change.
Lots of truth in your essay. But I don’t believe the educational indoctrination was “mostly well intentioned.” To cast white males as the purveyor of worldwide extraordinary evil was a horrific untruth conveyed by individuals who knew (or should have known) what that message would do to young, impressionable, idealistic young minds. It was a betrayal of the highest order and its effects are devastating our young men.
White males have as much right to be themselves and pursue their interests in life as anyone else does. Its in no way well intentioned. Its bigoted and cruel.
I not only will be having these conversations, but as someone who went through a life of being socially rejected because of immutable traits, I now have a solution.
Well written and relatable
Im sorry but I blame the parents. Blaming metro and everyone else is an excuse. The bad news is your kids were alone and you didn't notice. The good news I am telling you truth so you can go and start connecting without judging, and your kids will thrive. I have had the same experience with youngsters as you have. I was lucky enough to see my role in the alienation, in not being present enough, WITHOUT judgement. As a conservative this will be even harder for you. Get to it.
I think this, in some way, speaks to the importance placed on identity and how in a very real sense, opinions get reshaped within the 'ident-o-shpere' as an identity which from there tend to become something where disagreement feels like personal attack. In the internet age, people aren't "real", they all have the same voice in our head as the conscious when it tells us "don't do that". Ultimately, we just end up drowning in the sea of androgenous voices on the inside.
There's a subtle danger, like a floor of shattered glass; hard to see, easy to step on
I keep thinking about his roommate/romantic partner who seemed genuinely shocked in the texts. I read that he has left the home they shared and gone into hiding. I wonder if he was a shy, socially awkward teen/young adult that is now dealing with insane amounts of negative attention because of his trans identity and boyfriend’s actions. I wonder if there is regret piling up for either of them? I’m praying for both of them and their families too. Not for anyone to escape consequences but that they would also find grace and peace in Jesus.
I don't know why my son chose trans, but I have a feeling that if I was a young man - quiet, introverted, possibly wondering whether I was gay, seeing online how a man is supposed to act - I would be afraid to grow up to be one. I think porn has a lot to answer for.
100% on the porn thing.
It seems to be a sinister plot, in my opinion. The D-Party's fetishizing of abortion and non-heterosexual identities will lead to extinction, or at least it will cull the population that for whatever reason, hates itself thanks to hate thyself messaging.
I teach at a progressive university that has pushed us to promote these dangerous ideas, complete with pronoun swag -- bracelets and badges.
How to undo the feminist messaging that male libido is a crime? Certainly not by turning men into botched females.
Yet they are so indoctrinated, one of their own slayed the very man who was out there, protecting them.
Really great and true piece, thank you.
Have cross posted.
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/back-to-the-future-2
Dusty
I don't have sons, but I sense a similar ideological disdain in my "non-binary" daughter towards heterosexual couples (although she expresses attraction to males so it makes little sense). It seems for some of these confused kids, a disdain for family or anything else perceived as a conservative value is the norm.
Ideas are powerful. We all live in indoctrination. Keep your children close, in all ways.
We all do live in a pool of indoctrination.
"The Cult Connection Part 2 – Information Control By Catherine Monaghan Posted: 26th August 2025"
https://genspect.org/the-cult-connection-part-2-information-control/
"Delving into this topic, it would appear that we are mired in trans ideology. The information that we come across in daily life, and the information that we find when we search is predominantly of one persuasion. Expressing the view that sex is based on biology and is immutable, that nobody is born in the wrong body, and that women have a right to single sex spaces and sports, has become controversial. As a result, many people keep quiet, and so the ideology beds in further.
Does this sound like a cult to you?
Again, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it just may be a duck."
Wow, this is fascinating. Thanks for sharing, found your link in today's Free Press in the comments section. Thank you for elucidating a really controversial topic that I know very little about.
Hi Bettina. OP (below) authored this article. I have a daughter caught up in TransMania.
I really need to subscribe to them again...which article were the comments on, if you don't mind? (OP here)
I put it in the comments for a Free Press Article:
"Trump and RFK’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Autism Press Conference
By Joe Nocera — 09.23.25
What made the president and his health chief’s comments on Autism and Tylenol such a disaster? Let me count the ways, writes Joe Nocera."
I said:
First, I only read the title and went to comments.
Second, when I was growing up we all took Aspirin and thought there was no downside.
Then, we learned that children shouldn't take Aspirin because of - risks.
Third, does anyone remember Thalidomide for pregnant women suffering nausea?
During early pregnancy very important steps occur in the formation of the brain, the spinal cord and the eyes... maybe less is more and we should put up with a little headache? Maybe there is some interaction between genetics (older dads?) and environment (acetaminophen in the womb during early pregnancy)? We know that insufficient folic acid leads to bad outcomes.
Anyway, to me it is crazy to just shoot this down out of hand because it came from "one side".
My trust was lost prior to Covid with "Gender Affirmation" at high school and "Transgender Affirming Care" which is a big industry now for pharma, plastic surgeons, regular doctors...
Today's powerful PITT:
"That could be my son. This thought has been stabbing at me for the past two days since they identified Charlie Kirk’s killer. And, if I’m being honest, it’s been niggling at me for the last three years with every senseless shooting perpetrated by a lone, white, young male."
"That Could Be My Son"
https://www.pittparents.com/p/that-could-be-my-son
Thank you!
It wasn't their own identity that they were made to hate. Boys in elementary school were told to ask their friends if they would ever "date a trans girls." If they said no they were told to call their classmate a transphobe. The whole "transphobia" notion was just made up out of thin air and it was taught as gospel in schools.
Luckily many middle and high school students today know how stupid all their trachers are and completely laugh at the things they were taught. It might be to late to save you g men and women between 20 and 30, but at lea now kids know better.
Heartpiercing
More people to hear this. When will it end if not? Thank you. This is so true and you’re not alone. I am also a mom of a son saying “that could be my son.” It’s alarming. I pray for change.
Lots of truth in your essay. But I don’t believe the educational indoctrination was “mostly well intentioned.” To cast white males as the purveyor of worldwide extraordinary evil was a horrific untruth conveyed by individuals who knew (or should have known) what that message would do to young, impressionable, idealistic young minds. It was a betrayal of the highest order and its effects are devastating our young men.
White males have as much right to be themselves and pursue their interests in life as anyone else does. Its in no way well intentioned. Its bigoted and cruel.
Immeasurably well written!