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Susan Brand's avatar

Thank you!

This is the message I sent today before jumping through a half hour of hoops to cancel my subscription:

On February 8, the Providence Journal published a column by Mark Patinkin, "Mark Patinkin reflects on past experience as Trump issues transgender athlete ban: Opinion" Incredibly, Mr Patinkin's "past experience" had nothing to do with transgender athletes. His retrograde attitude of equating transgender girls to boys and this column's lack of any citations to support his views exhibit an editorial presence at the Providence Journal that is not only sloppy but thoughtlessly spreading misinformation that is dangerous for transgender people.

I am canceling my subscription today.

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Kathy Rourke's avatar

I am absolutely amazed that such a poor piece of writing was published! I am not a journalist, but found mysely saying "?What?!!" over and over.

Thank you Phil, for writing this.

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Barbara Gianola's avatar

His writing has always been narrow, and for many years characterized by particularly cringe-worthy misogyny. Although I still subscribe to ProJo online I usually ignore Mark, but I agree this article was a standout of ignorance, negativity, lack of respect, and just plain hatefulness. He's outdone himself - thanks for calling him out.

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Philip Eil's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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LORIANN DANTONIO's avatar

I don't read the Projo (even online), but I've known Patinkin was a hack for about 25 years. He's a disgrace to the profession.

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barry's avatar

great column Philip, I don't see how it could be said better.

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Camille Blain Nixon's avatar

Great work! Thank you for debunking Patinkin's poorly researched piece. The Providence Journal is going down that awful road of bowing to authoritarianism.

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Dave's avatar

I used to subscribe to the Urinal, but let it lapse and I see no reason to renew. Philip's piece perfectly summarizes all the problems with Patinkin specifically, and the Urinal in general. No responsible, ethical media outlet would publish such a misinformed and flawed piece.

Well done, Philip!

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Nancy Green's avatar

I miss Bob Kerr. The corporate owners let him go and kept Mark Patinkin, maybe because he writes in support of management rights.

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Susan Morettini's avatar

I saw the headline of Patinkin’s article in the ProJo and couldn’t bring myself to read it. Thanks for highlighting the unethical behavior of a writer I used to respect. Is he jumping on Trump’s band wagon of retribution for any perceived slight in his life?

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dave's avatar

Thanks, Phil! Moral clarity and a healthy dose of deserved shade, appreciate your thoughts on the subject of hack journalism and bigotry

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Philip Eil's avatar

Thank you for reading and for these kind words, Dave.

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Kristen Chambers's avatar

"He's a hack." Perfectly sums up what Patinkin has devolved into.

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Kathy Jellison's avatar

I agree that Mark's column was an egregious mistake on behalf of himself and his (MIA) editors. I believe the composition of any sports team is less an issue of who is on the team than what role a good team coach needs to play. Any player using individual strengths, as opposed to what is good for the team, needs to be cautioned for unsportsperson behavior, regardless of gender identifucation. It's a game designed to teach teamwork, everybody playing by the same rules.

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Feb 10
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Philip Eil's avatar

His columns about Israel/Palestine have been awful.

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