Activist denounces 'circus-like' coverage of 'pregnant man'

RYAN LEE
Friday, April 11, 2008

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/4-11/news/national/12381.cfm

Gay and transgender activists are denouncing mainstream media coverage of Thomas Beatie, a transgender man who is pregnant and appeared last week on Oprah Winfrey's talk show.

The April 5 episode of "Red Eye" on Fox News Channel was particularly over the top.

Circuses are far more organized, and much less sensational. 

And much more rational.

Although it is interesting to note how carnival barkers and hucksters employ themselves when they aren't traveling with the carny's. They become TV news/panel talking heads.

These episodes might put to rest the notion that any of them is more sophisticated or educated than any third-grader.

A circus is one of the few pre-industrial deals left around, though they did adapt well.  On the eve of WWI (the war to end all wars, remember?) the German High Command was studying Ringling Brothers for how to load and unload trains.  It does remind me that a long time circus dude once told me the difference between the circus and real life was that "in a circus a freak show was called a freak show, in real life they just call it the news."