The political stink that arose in the wake of Wolf's order has been instructive.
Not surprisingly, incumbent Republican Senator Scott Brown denounced the decision as an outrageous waste of taxpayers' dollars. That is consistent with his actions as a state senator, when he moved to preempt any state funding for prisoner sex reassignment.
But when Brown's challenger, Democrat Elizabeth Warren, echoed his position, we were horrified. That Warren could find herself on the wrong side of this issue shows how muddled and uninformed public opinion is — and implies that the professor has a dismal understanding of identity politics in general.
Even in Massachusetts, there's still dismayingly widespread prejudice against transgender people. The medical facts, the physical and psychological realities, are not known or understood by the public at large. Hence the political tension in a state that recently became the 16th in the nation to adopt formal non-discrimination measures to protect the trans community, and the political reaction — or backlash — against Wolf's order.
Wolf may have sparked controversy, but more importantly, the judge provided a teachable moment about prisoners' rights. the rights of prisoners with transgender dysphoria, and the rights of transgender people in society at large.
And before some knucklehead on talk radio attacks Wolf for being yet another pointy-headed liberal judge, note that he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan.
Related:
President Obama, Award-worthy, Tax time?, More 
- President Obama
In retrospect, it all seems of a piece: suitably fitting, almost ordained.
- Award-worthy
The amount of research that Jason Notte conducted for his extensive article on the surge in suicides in the military is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.
- Tax time?
State House of Representatives leaders have served the Commonwealth well with their austere new budget: they have shown us the tremendous sacrifices we will need to make, and the drastic cuts that will be put into effect, if we don't raise new revenues.
- Boston's Severin problem
The questions raised by the Severin incident have a philosophical and moral resonance that has been touched upon only in passing.
- Art appreciation
The recent Phoenix editorial on state-government funding for arts and culture highlighted many of the challenges we face as we try to meet our aspirations as a community amidst a very difficult economic environment.
- Ho-Hos and air guitars
The fact is, most couples argue in the early stages of wedding planning. My partner, Diane, and I are no exception to this rule. Currently, our biggest argument surrounding plans for our wedding is whether or not she can slide into the ballroom during our reception, performing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" on her air guitar.
- How's Obama doing?
Politics, an old cliché holds, is the art of the possible. Achieving the possible is a matter of power. And in a media-saturated democracy, power flows to those with good poll numbers.
- How is Obama doing?
In response to a question from Oprah Winfrey about how he would grade his time in office, President Barack Obama gave himself a "solid B-plus."
- A fool for everyone
Time to dispose of a few inconsequential gubernatorial candidates.
- Impeach John Roberts
It is time for an enterprising and courageous member of the US House of Representatives to file articles of impeachment against the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Roberts. The charge: lying under oath.
- The Phoenix cleans up at NENPA
Was 2009 a good year for newspapers?
- Less
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The Editorial Page
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