I used to be a print subscriber. I still pick up a copy while traveling, but I don’t travel as much these days.
Their Ukraine coverage has been excellent. They have been publishing weekly opinion pieces on Ukraine from various people close to the situation. This in addition to excellent analysis on various aspects of the war: the Russian military, Ukraine military, economic sanctions, China’s position, nuclear threat, etc. Their coverage is easily the most extensive of any major publication.
Re Thomas, I was surprised but pleased they covered the issue. They make a strong case for keeping biological females in a separate competitive class.
If you can show me the point where I demonize Thomas, I will retract it. I don’t blame her at all.
What I do fault is the notion that her competition is remotely fair to other females. No science yet proves it, and it strongly suggests biological males hold an advantage even after testosterone therapy.
I also fault the notion that inclusion for transgender athletes can only come at a cost to fair sports competition. Transgender athletes are very much a minority right now, and Thomas’ participation in the NCAA meets extracts a significant cost on biological female swimmers that account for the vast majority of participants.
I don’t buy for an instant that most females swimmers are happy to have Thomas there. The Economist article wrote: “In February a letter by 16 of Ms Thomas’s team-mates was supportive of her new identity, but said that “biologically Lia holds an unfair advantage…in the women’s category.” (Citing fears about future employment, none was willing to sign their name.) A broader letter, published on March 15th and signed by more than 5,000 people—including many Olympic athletes—took a similar view.”
Finally, a common reaction of the woke left when reasonable arguments are presented contrary to their positions is to attempt to frame it as a moral issue: a battle of virtuous inclusiveness vs hate. Good vs Evil. As I learned from my buddy Clint, there are not “good” people and “bad” people delineated by a clear moral boundary. Most people are a mix of good and bad as determined by their acts to a much greater extent than simple sentiments.