More Hope January 5, 2015January 5, 2015 So this is just a little subset of hope. (Friday’s post — TONS Of Hope For The New Year! — was broader.) But for maybe 5% of the world’s population plus our friends and relatives . . . and in the general interest of everyone’s getting along more cheerfully . . . it’s not nothing. In fact, it’s a pretty big deal: Namely, the progress toward acceptance of gender identity differences. Letting people be who they want to be, so long as they don’t hurt anyone else. We have a long way to go, witness the recent death of 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn, killed by her parents’ nonacceptance. (Blame the parents’ ignorance more than the parents themselves.) But look at this! Civil marriage has become available to 71% of the U.S. population, a victory for love, shared responsibility, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I’ve previously recorded how I got to visit China — nearly a fifth of the world’s population — and cheer for their progress. Here’s a recent data point to suggest that progress continues: “Chinese Court Rules ‘Gay Conversion’ Clinic Must Pay Victim.” Even in China, if not yet wide swaths of Mississippi, people are coming to recognize it’s neither “a choice” nor evil. In Russia, Apple CEO Tim Cook’s coming out may have led to removal of St. Petersburg’s iPhone statue. And in several countries homosexuality may be punishable by death. And even here, you can still be fired in 29 states just for being gay. But more and more, people are becoming comfortable just laughing at the whole thing — God’s little joke. The human comedy. Something to keep Her amused. In which vein I am pleased to offer: TOP GUN: THE FORBIDDEN VERSION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1l6wdC1lPs Lord knows what the Church of Scientology would think of this, but it’s only meant in fun. BOREF I bought yet more at $7.50 Friday. My theory is that the bargain price is attributable to a few thousand shares of year-end tax-loss selling coupled with general discouragement that it’s all taking so long. But I think e-taxi will happen, and that next month’s IATA conference will be just one more inch toward fruition. The good thing about my plan to live forever is that, if I do, there is the real possibility I will live to see the day.