Category Archive Reblogs

ByGD

Everyone has a right to their opinion, right?

My blunt rephrasing of my friend’s thoughtful words:
You have a right voice your stupid opinion. But we don’t have to listen to that shit.

WYS Words

Over on her blog, WYS Words, my friend has written yet another thoughtful piece. Here’s an excerpt:

The public dialogue these days lacks the rigor and depth needed to have productive conversations about important issues. One of the by-products of this laziness is the giving of equal weight to all opinions.

WYS Words

You should read the whole thing.

ByGD

Just How Big Is A Billion?

I was going to post something about Iceland Airwaves today, but as often happens, my friend Jennie has given me something a little more meaningful to think about. Plus, she managed to do so with a Princess Bride reference and introduced me to the term Ovarian Lottery.

You should read it here: Just How Big Is A Billion?

 

ByGD

Six Years Later

I was struck by this post on my friend Jennie’s blog, WYS Words.

I have also benefited from the top-notch medical system in the Puget Sound region. Without it, I might not be walking, and my daughter would have a different face. But like Jennie, I am also concerned at America’s often cavalier attitude towards maintaining its health system (and infrastructure in general), allowing quick profits for private interests to take precedence over the greater good. I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of taking excellent surgical outcomes for granted. But in a great nation, quality healthcare would be a right, not a privilege.

ByGD

Shameless Summer Festival Post

Doe Bay

And I haven’t even told you about Doe Bay yet.

I considered calling this post “What I Did on My Summer Vacation,” or more accurately, “Shameless Self-Promotion.” But since I’m being shameless, I thought, “Titles that can be construed as sexual get the most hits, so what the hell, let’s go for the click-bait.” Anyway, I’ve been doing a little writing outside of this blog this summer, and I’m kind of proud of some it. So today I am reblogging myself. Below you will links to some of the things I’ve written lately.

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ByGD

Locked and Unloaded: Getting Real About Gun Safety

Gun laws are off-topic for this blog, and I quote Jennie’s WYS Words too often for any writer of original material. But this post is literally the first time I’ve heard an American make a gun control argument more nuanced than, “Guns are bad!” or “You commies are trying to take my guns away!”

America has so many political nonstarter issues where actual discourse is out of the question that the country is paralyzed. Until we start talking – actually talking and not parroting lobbyist talking points – progress of any kind on any issue is impossible.

Personally, I am more concerned about the fact that it’s easier to buy a gun than a car in America than I am about open carry. Frankly, if I’m sharing space with someone who’s carrying, I’d prefer to know about it. But I applaud Jennie’s call for reasonable discourse on one of too many American hot button issues.

Please click over to Jennie’s blog to read what she had to say:

https://wyswords.com/2014/07/31/locked-and-unloaded-getting-real-about-gun-safety/