Ideally

  One hundred and thirty six years ago today the statue of Liberty was dedicated. She was called, Lady Liberty Enlightening the Word. As most people know it was a gift from the people of France. It was a show of friendship and alliance between two nations. That alliance with France extended back to the American revolution. The artist was especially inspired by the abolition of slavery in the United States and that was reflected in the statue. Among the many symbols used in the design, at her feet, lie a broken chain and shackle. In 1903 a plague was added to the pedestal, it is the sonnet, The New Colossus. It contains those famous lines about huddled masses yearning to be free. Written by Emma Larazus as part of fundraising efforts to build the pedestal it was written in 1885. It was not, and was never intended to be, an official government statement of policy. In 1885 the funds to build the pedestal were just not there. Pulitzer, yes that Pulitzer, offered to publish the name of anyone donating to the building fund in his newspaper, New York World. He received over 120,000 names and raised in excess of 100,000 dollars allowing the project to be completed.

 Lady Liberty has always stood for the friendship between nations. Other meanings and symbolisms have been attached to her over the last 136 years. Emma, the sixteen year old girl that composed that Sonnet was an activist for immigrants, especially Jewish immigrants. That was the inspiration for her sonnet. The New Colossus was a comparison with the "Old Colossus" the one that stood at the harbor of Rhodes. Yes, sixteen year old children in America knew their ancient Greek history back then. I wonder how many would know today. This colossus would be a symbol of hope and freedom, not a demonstration of military might. The sonnet describes an idealistic vision of life in America. Sixteen year old children tend to be idealistic in their views, as a matter of course.

 Lady Liberty does serve as a welcoming beacon of hope. You have reached a country, a land, were you can live free. Freedom however, as we all know, or should know, is not free at all. Lady Liberty welcomes everyone to her door, but that welcome doesn't include carte blanche access! That is the idealistic views of a child. The reality is one has to meet certain requirements. Those requirements have been loosened over time, but the obligation to comply hasn't. You are a guest in this country until you have established yourself, and gained the privilege of becoming a citizen. You must pledge your allegiance to this country! You came here for a new life, not to reestablish your old one! 

 Well that's todays history lesson. I've had the morning news on for an hour or so and no mention of that anniversary. I did hear though that the United States issued its' first passport with a Gender X designation. Here is what Google says that is: X-gender is a gender identity, not a romantic or sexual orientation. X-gender people may feel attraction to men, women, both, and/or other X-gender people, or they may be asexual (feeling no sexual attraction to anybody). And I question why is that important to know? There really are only two genders, male and female, you are one or the other regardless. But that makes the news. Seems a bit idealistic to me, this notion that I can simply identify any way I like and the world accepts that as fact. X-gender people may or may not feel sexual attraction. Does that really need to be on your passport? Think about that? I'm checking your identity, that's the purpose of a passport after all, only to discover that you identify as gender-x. How is that different from when I check other passports? Do the other passports identify your sexual preferences or a lack of preference or that you have no preference? No, they just identify your biological gender, you are either a male or female. And, now think about this, I really don't know anything about your preferences unless you tell me! Do I need to know? No, probably don't have any need for that information. So you are saying gender isn't related to sex and/or romance but because men are generally attracted to women, and women to men, you need to inform the world you might not like any one of them, or something else? 

 But gender isn't involved with that, and that's why I need to identify my gender. Perhaps a bit idealistic in a fantasy sort of way. A method to advertise aberrant behavior? Yeah, you are something different alright. You know what? I don't need to know that. That doesn't identify you, at least that is what those folks are always saying, it doesn't identify me. Seems like it can if you want it to, at least according to the government. It's all very confusing if you ask me. I'll stick with reality, you are either male or female. 

 A person has gone missing. What's the description? About 5 foot eight, 150 lbs., identifies as gender-x, last seen dressed in gender neutral clothing. May or may not be sexually attracted to other people. That's all I got.