Apparently, if you openly show that you hate children and won’t hesitate to harm them, it doesn’t disqualify you from being a high school principal in Texas. The child in question is Max Hightower, a senior at Sherman High. Last month Max learned that he snared the leading male role in the school’s production of Oklahoma. He was sky high. But Max identifies as a transgender male, so the hateful shmuck of a principal (Scott Johnston) quickly instituted a gender policy that denied Max the role. Just what the world needs more of now — virulent discriminatory hatred.

Max’s older brother Noah, a sailor in the US Navy, said he was “ashamed I associate my education” with the school.

Max’s sister Gracie said female students who were assigned the part of “cowboys” in the musical also had their roles taken away and were no longer allowed to participate. “Many opportunities were ripped away from kids not for bad grades, not for bad behavior, not for attendance, but for something that has absolutely nothing to do with the production,” she said. She also noted Max had been elated to be awarded the role and was devastated by the decision to strip him of it.

Max’s dad Phillip says the family is fighting the decision. “I’m not going to quit advocating for my son — ever. Max has shown me what real strength is,” he said. He also said he’s been stunned by the outpouring of love and support for Max.

Amen to that, Hightower. Owl Chatter is with you 100%.

Here’s Max, strutting his stuff. He’s the one with the face.

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Boy, some days it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. Republican David Worrall was running for one of the two open at-large seats on the Clarksville, Indiana, town council yesterday, and came in third. D’oh! But that was the least of it for the poor guy. While greeting voters, he collapsed, and then died on the way to the hospital. Ouch! He took the last train to Clarksville. Rest in peace, Dave.

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As a follow-up to our recent chat about the passing of famed lunatic basketball coach Bobby Knight, here’s a newly issued bobblehead doll honoring his chair-throwing accomplishments. It’s selling for $40.

While we’re shopping, these Taylor Swift baseball caps are going for just $35, and either (or both!) would make a perfect Veterans’ Day gift for that special Swiftie someone in your life.

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Everyone who grew up in NY around the time that I did can sing along to these lyrics, amirite? My beer is Rheingold, the dry beer. Think of Rheingold whenever you buy beer.

Robbin Bain died two weeks ago, at age 87. She was voted “Miss Rheingold” in 1959, an honor that came with $50,000 (around $500,000 in today’s dollars). Before that, as a model, she appeared in ads for Helena Rubinstein and Revlon. She was also one of four women, called “Portrettes,” who introduced Jackie Gleason on his television variety show.

The Rheingold fame gave her enough pop to garner an appearance on the panel of the TV show To Tell the Truth, where she was able to pick the inventor of the cocktail from a group of three. She also joined the Today Show, where she handled light features of interest to women, a role Barbara Walters and Florence Henderson held before their careers took off.

Robbin is survived by her husband, two daughters, a stepson, and six grandchildren, all of whom enjoy a cold one from time to time, preferably extra dry.

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Another obit in The Times today is of the brilliant Soviet Olympic figure skater Oleg Protopopov, who died at age 91. (“Protopopov Pops Off” was the headline.) His skating partner and wife was Ludmilla Belousova, who died in 2017 at the age of 81. Here they are still at it in 2007, when he was 75 and she was 71. They defected to the West in 1979.

Last, kudos to Ohio for defending abortion rights, and for Kentucky for re-electing their good governor. And for Virginia, also for protecting abortion rights by flipping their House in the right direction. I’m celebrating with some fine Virginia ale, below — from the Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, Lexington VA. Almost as good as Rheingold.

Burp!

See you tomorrow!