As my Mother used to say.........

....."Well, that's the limit." Parents bringing up a baby without telling anyone its sex -- or gender. (Are they different?) When something became just too bizarre for rational explanation, that was what Lillian would pronounce: Really, that's the limit. And listening to 'The Agenda' this evening, it really was the limit. How can you bring up a baby without dealing with its gender? "Storm" is the baby in question. Four months old, the baby's (hippie) parents have decided to withold declaring its gender to avoid "stereotypes". Yeah, a four-month-old might really be upset about stereotyping. Hey, I'm a boy and I don't appreciate those pink pyjamas! Apparently, the reason for this is because one of their other children -- a boy -- likes pink and has been teased about it. Whatever. The kid may be gay. Or not.

What floored me were the four Ph'ds gathered around the table debating this insanity. I guess this is what ensures their tenure at whatever university -- that they can be absolutely senseless. Bone-headed intellectuality was on display this evening. The usually sane Steve Pakin should be ashamed of himself. One "expert" bragged about being proud his boys could cook. Whaaaat!!???!!!??? Then there was an endless debate about the difference between "sex" and "gender". In the case of whether this four-month-old is a male or a female, sex and gender are synonymous.

The only talking head that made any sense was the practical professor from Brandeis University who wondered what the kid would do in a few years when faced with going to the "boys" or "girls" bathroom at school? Or going to the boys' or girls' department in the local Walmart. Or what side to choose on a girls' or boys' sports team? Are the parents going to ask the toddler to choose a gender? Please.

I was the last person to bring up a "girl". My daughter and step-daughter were treated according to their abilities -- both athletically and academically. Their gender was irrelevant. I remember when my step-daughter tried tears one day I said, "Stop acting like a girl, stop crying." Crying was acceptable if a pet or a parent died, but crying was not the way to get your way. Forget that. That was the first and last time she cried.

I am very proud of my daughters as women. Never hampered by their gender, they are pretty invincible.