That's valid. I'll admit he's not mine, and I have a certain detachment reps that aren't mine. Got a feeling it's about a particular conflict that's a whole book by itself and if so, there's not much to be done. The grief and pain are very real and I can't deny anyone's.

Because of course he is...

I'm also a little weary of seeing an awful lot of terrible things get ignored over "optics." I'm a little tired of optics.

I think the "center" also owns some responsibility for backstabbing and refusing to listen to other people, even if I think the "left" overplays their clout. It's tricky.

I agree on the banding, and what bothers me most is the mutual sniping and bickering. And there's a range of necessary play where a lot of us have to have freedom to bicker, and there's a range of "that's embarrassing."

I'm not sure it matters as much anymore. And I do relate to the fear of it.

Honestly? I kinda like most of my local elected officials. I live in Rogers Park, Chicago. You can look that up.

OK...Durbin needs to retire, but he is retiring, so there's that.

You could be right. I'm past the point where I think my influence is going to change minds.

I'm pretty good about organizing myself, but I claim not authority over the democrats or the far left, and I'm under no illusions that either of them are taking me seriously. It's refreshing.

I think we could use some more competent democrats, and honestly, having the arguments out and settling them might do us all some good. Also, you will never force the left to shut up. They just don't do that. I do feel your fear, but...bro. I've known these folks for a long time.

I think there's also a degree of scarcity mentality induced spite.

People are genuinely suffering in poverty and they turn trans rights into a "divide and conquer" issue by saying "well, why should these people get medical care when I can't get my diabetes meds?"

Eliding the obvious question.

One of the earliest lessons of the internet I ever learned.

Privacy is always an illusion here. Always assumed someone can snoop on you. It's just how it is. Conduct yourself accordingly.

Probably one reason I'm so gosh darned nice all the time...

Oh dear. That is the worst thing about the internet. People think it's private and...nope. It isn't.

What page is this? The one formerly known as Twitter?

Not surprised. The Atlantic is a rather dodgy resource. I just appreciated this headline.

"internalization of self-regulation as normal for very young children"

I relate to that so hard that it makes normal people wince in sympathy with me.

You know the author? Cool! That's kind of how I feel about The Atlantic. They're very good at making bullshit look fascinating. And every now and then they put something out that really is profound. But a lot of it is over-intellectualized BS at best.

And I kinda hate The Atlantic, and I don't want to pay for that click, but the headline resonated with me.

Just after Hesgeth said he said that America just plain didn't care.

Words have consequences.

That's an insult to proper mediocrities everywhere.

I love public transit. I've been around too many helpless victims to have any appreciation for trolley problems.

Those tracks lead straight to hell. I've seen it.