Three Wins Today, April 7, 2025

Today was….a mess, to put it mildly. Between the misinformation and the disinformation and the accurate news that wasn’t great and the purity tests, it’s probably one of those days you really need some good news, right?

Well, you’re in luck, here are three of today’s wins.

1. A week ago a cis woman fencer refused to compete against a trans woman fencer, so USA Fencing disqualified her from the rest of the tournament. The best part is the statement USA Fencing made, four days ago, on the disqualification:

   A fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason. Under these rules, such a refusal results in disqualification and the corresponding sanctions. This policy exists to maintain fair competition standards and preserve the sport’s integrity.

   We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving. USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion, and we’re committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic & Paralympic movement.

   That bold part? Yeah, that is my new favorite sentence ever. And to see a sporting committee say that makes my heart swell three sizes.

2. Today, Gwynne Wilcox and Cathy Harris have been reinstated on the National Labor Relations Board….again. This time in a 7-4 decision, along party lines, on the DC US Court of Appeals. This is getting ridiculous, and it will almost certainly be headed to the Supreme Court, but, as long as they’re reinstated, they can start doing their work again. Which, btw, includes over 8k cases, which is about the amount they normally get in TWO YEARS.

   The ruling states:

   The Supreme Court has repeatedly told the courts of appeals to follow extant Supreme Court precedent unless and until that Court itself changes it or overturns it. If a precedent of the Supreme Court “has direct application in a case,” lower courts “‘should follow the case which directly controls

   Basically, the Supreme Court has already created the precedent several times over the years. It’s our job to uphold that precedent.

   Will be interesting to see what SCOTUS does considering their many many earlier rulings over the years.

3. Today the South Dakota Democratic Party announced that Nikki Gronli, USDA Rural Development State Director under Biden will be holding four Empty Chair Town Halls over the next few weeks, across the state, since the Republican electeds refuse to show up. In a statement explaining why she’s holding these, Gronli said:

   A chainsaw has been taken to the pocketbooks and retirement plans of hardworking South Dakotans, all while safety net programs are being dismantled. The Executive Branch is overstepping its authority and our Members of Congress have been instructed not to hold town halls. South Dakota voices deserve to be heard. That is why I'm holding these town halls across the state that are open to everyone.

   I love all these incredible town halls, but I think I love it even more when it’s someone who isn’t even elected, someone who just cares so much that concerned citizens have their voices heard by someone.

So those are three of today’s wins, though, I promise, there were so many more.

Never forget that no matter how bad, or weird, a day is, we always have wins!

Our voices are our superpower, but ONLY when we use them!