Unless you have been hiding in a cave waiting for the return of Jesus, you surely are aware of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's refusing to sign a state bill banning biological male athletes from participating on South Dakota collegiate sports teams. At first glance it seems like a really simple, cut and dry piece of legislation and a simple bill to sign. However, this is not the simple problem it appears to be.
Let me say this, before I go on. I do not believe there is enough civil discourse among people today, especially among conservatives and Christians. We too often appear to be an undisciplined army of millions if not billions. I say this because we too often take sides, in the wrong way. We allow it to affect how we think of the person on the other side, and are too quick to write them off. It should not be that way.
Having said that we, currently have Tucker Carlson, Dr. Everett Piper and others calling out or questioning South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for refusing to sign a state bill, barring biologically born males from participation in women's sports, in the state university system of South Dakota. I have to say, I am a huge fan of Tucker and have been for many years, even prior to his work at Fox News, for his commentary and for starting the online news source, "The Daily Caller." As for Dr. Piper, we have been friends and brothers for many years. He had me speak at Oklahoma Wesleyan University at different times and has always supported me, and efforts I was involved in. Furthermore, his books, especially-"Why I Am A Liberal and Other Conservative Ideas", are excellent. Tucker and Dr. Piper are good people and very smart, whom I agree with most of the time, but not this time.
Kristi Noem states, the law suits and sanctions from the NCAA and others would cost the state millions AND they would most likely lose. She did not veto the bill, rather just did not sign it, asking the state legislature to just go back and "fix" it. Essentially she agreed to the banning of biological male participation in the primary and secondary sports portion, just not at the collegiate level. Noem's objection was based upon wanting to wait on that as part of a combined multi-state effort and plan.
Enter Tucker Carlson, Dr. Piper and others. Per these gentlemen and others, Noem should have just signed the bill and let the chips fall. That seems simple enough and sounds good, however as I stated , it is not that simple. If it is, why have not larger states like Texas, Oklahoma and other states with NCAA Division One programs proposed and passed bills like this? Dr. Piper in his podcast mentions that he was president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and has had the Alliance Defense Fund take up a case against the U.S. govt. on his behalf. That sounds good BUT the NCAA is not a federal entity and Oklahoma Wesleyan was an NAIA, not NCAA school. The NCAA is a private entity and can, therefore, make up its own rules that do not violate federal or state law. I know what you are thinking; Aha, but the NCAA would be breaking state law, if the bill were passed. Yes, that is true BUT, that is the point. The NCAA can then just say, were are out of the state of South Dakota. All SD schools with NCAA ties are no longer members and cannot compete in any NCAA competition or offer any NCAA scholarships. Does this help or hurt female athletes and universities in South Dakota?
Now, my bigger, related question is; why, if this is such a great idea, have not any larger states with SEC, Big 10, Big 12, ACC or other conference affiliations taken the measures we are now chastising Kristi Noem for not taking? Why have OU, OSU, Texas, Alabama or others not fought or even objected to it?
There is nothing prohibiting non-NCAA or private schools from having that policy of banning biological males from participation in their programs.
As I said it looks simple but it is not that simple. however, you cannot compare OKWU an NAIA school with NCAA schools and you cannot take it from a person who has never participated in or been associated with NCAA sports (Tucker) to be the oracles on this.
Ask yourself, do you really think Kristi Noem thinks biological males should compete in women's sports? Is she doing this for big business political interests? In South Dakota? Please, give me a better explanation than that.
I keep thinking of Jesus' saying, "to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves". But we are doing the opposite. An example was here in Oklahoma several years ago, when our state legislature actually put a law before the people banning "Sharia Law" from being used in our courts. As much as I oppose Islam and especially its introduction into our legal system, I immediately thought, how dumb, that will never stand. You CANNOT single out one particular religion to name in a law. However, it was put on the ballot and voted on by the people. It was immediately struck down by the state supreme court. Was I against banning Sharia law from our judicial system? NO, of course not!! I just knew there was a better way. Was it not simpler to just say only U.S. and OK law could be used and not mention a specific other law? It would be like atheists saying, we want a law banning Judeo/Christian law from being used in our judicial system. This is just an example of why good sounding law proposals can actually be a terrible ones. Therefore, as Gov. Noem says, build a coalition of states, think this through, come up with a plan, build public support, enter in a unified action, THEN go after the NCAA. That is being wise and I believe will be much more successful.
Let me say again, I very mush like Dr. Piper and Tucker Carlson, and will continue to listen to and support them. I just disagree on this one case, can we do that and still love and support one another?.
