The Brinegar Cabin at Doughton Park is an unassuming little structure, a window into a bygone era, a time when life was simpler, and hard.
Brinegar Cabin, Doughton Park
Built by Martin Brinegar in the 1880’s over a three year span, it was made from chestnut logs, sturdy and unpretentious. It’s a testament to his craftsmanship that the cabin still stands today, albeit with a bit of help from the National Park Service.
Martin and his wife, Caroline, raised their three children in the small cabin. Together they faced the unpredictable nature of the mountains.
Caroline was a woman of many talents. Not only did she manage the household and raise the children, but she was also an accomplished weaver. Visitors to the cabin today can still see her original loom, a contraption of wood and strings that looks more like a medieval torture device than a tool for making cloth. But under Caroline’s skilled hands, that loom was not just a tool; it was a lifeline, a means of survival. She augmented their income by gathering medicinal plants like bloodroot, snakeroot, and black cherry bark and selling them to nearby drug merchants.
Brinegar Garden, Doughton Park
The Brinegars were subsistence farmers, eking out a living from the rocky Appalachian soil. They grew corn, beans, and other staples, like flax and sorghum, and kept a few animals for milk and meat. Life was not easy, but it was honest. Every meal, every piece of cloth, every warm night by the fire was earned.
Today, the Brinegar Cabin stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Appalachian people. It’s a place where you can step back in time, feel Martin’s rough-hewn handywork, and imagine the sound of Caroline’s loom or the smell of sorghum syrup on a billowy biscuit.
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Brinegar Cabin & Gardens, Doughton Park
More videos of Doughton Park in the next few days.
Let me address a political issue in California that touches on parental rights, gender identity, and the democratic process.
California’s Stance on Gender Identity
Under the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom, California has been at the forefront of policies that endorse transgender identity. Critics like myself argue that these policies infringe upon parental rights, compromise fairness in women’s sports, and harm the long-term health of children.
Direct Democracy in Action: Ballot Initiatives
In response to these policies, a coalition named “Protect Kids California” has taken a direct approach to challenge them. They’ve filed three ballot initiatives for the November 2024 ballot. These initiatives aim to:
Ensure schools notify parents if their children identify as transgender.
Prevent biological males from participating in women’s sports and accessing women’s spaces.
Prohibit medical professionals from administering experimental drugs or surgeries to minors to affirm a gender identity different from their biological sex.
‘The Advocates’ Perspective
Jonathan Zachreson, a spokesperson for Protect Kids California, emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in children’s lives. He argues that the current legislative approach does not adequately represent the people’s wishes.
Polls suggest that a significant majority of Californians support parental notification in schools and restrictions on medical interventions for minors.
We have legislators and institutions taking advantage of vulnerable children and busy parents.
Jonathan Zachreson
The Legal Landscape
Recent laws and bills in California have further ignited this debate. For instance:
In 2022, Newsom signed SB 107, declaring California a “trans refuge state.” This law allows California courts to reassign custody of children seeking gender-affirming care from other states.
The California Senate is considering AB 957, which could label parents as abusive if they don’t affirm their child’s preferred gender identity.
The state’s education code allows students to access facilities and programs consistent with their gender identity.
Protect Children from Reproductive Harm Act: This initiative aims to protect children from experimental medical interventions related to gender transition. It cites concerns about the FDA’s stance and practices in other countries.
School Transparency and Partnership Act: This initiative emphasizes the importance of parental rights, arguing that parents should be informed about significant changes related to their child’s gender identity at school.
Protect Girls’ Sports and Spaces Act: This initiative seeks to ensure fairness in women’s sports and maintain the privacy and safety of students in sex-segregated spaces.
The Road Ahead
While these ballot initiatives offer a direct way for Californians to voice their opinions, they face challenges. They need over half a million certified signatures to even appear on the ballot. Additionally, the state’s Democratic attorney general, Rob Bonta, who will draft the title and summary for these initiatives, might oppose them.
This issue underscores the complexities of balancing individual rights, parental rights, and societal norms. Remember, the essence of democracy lies in informed discussions and the active participation of its citizens.
I encourage you all to think critically about these issues, engage in respectful discussions, and always stay informed.
California Senator Scott Wiener, a member of the LGBTQ Caucus, weighs in on Parent’s Rights.
Colin Wright responds.
If my child has a condition that makes it likely they will be put on a medical pathway that includes life-long sterility and body-altering hormones and surgeries, I have a right to know. https://t.co/kaXRQFfxIj
