I don't doubt a thing you say. I'm quite certain that any parent would be affected by news of a tragedy like this in ways that non-parents could imagine, but never truly understand.

"...once your eyes are opened to the extent of their suffering in the world, often at the hands of people they trust, you realize you would guard every last one of them with your life if you could."

I wasn't taking it out of context, I was just reading it differently than you did. But your interpretation is certainly fair and one that hadn't occurred to me, and when you put it that way, the line makes more sense.

I appreciate what Tracy is saying about parents having constant anxiety about the welfare of their children. I know that, as a child-free person, I'll never experience anything quite like that.

Fair point. I would argue that he's in a position of strength/power by virtue of being male and being (presumably) not fat. Male privilege allows men to judge women based on their looks and value or devalue them accordingly. You could also say there's such a thing as "thin privilege." When the person making the…

The problem here is that the word "bully" has multiple meanings. In English usage, "to bully" can mean to use your position of strength to harm someone weaker in almost any way. It can also mean simply being pushy or overbearing. So if someone writes a nasty letter intended to make someone else feel bad about herself…

Jim, Jose or Jack? No thanks. But I have a bottle of Johnnie that should fit the bill.

Why publish this photo? What exactly is accomplished?

Oh no, not just a pic. I'm going to need a complete food diary and workout log.

It may skew your results some to use Lil' Bub as an example of an adult animal.

Being curious about people is natural, but most people don't like to be defined by their race, ethnicity or nation of origin. Also, race, ethnicity and nation of origin are three different things. Just because someone identifies as Taiwanese, for example, doesn't mean that person knows or cares about Taiwanese pop…

Forgive me if I don't turn to Business Insider for information on what amount of sleep is healthy for me.

This is an interesting take on it. I always defined "Mansplaining" as a man explaining to a woman why something isn't sexist. I often see it used specifically in that context — when men try to explain away sexism. It's essentially explaining to women why all their experiences of the world are invalid and mis-perceived.

I also noticed the tone of resentment. It seems to boil down to, "I'm about to have a baby and take on all the responsibilities that entails, while many of my friends are still having boozy brunches and posting about it on Facebook, and that's not fair."

Because I am child-free and always will be, I am not an adult and never will be. To wit:

I just want to say this was an outstanding comment.

Sorry, Jez - but I've been on this for a couple weeks now: http://www.gynostar.com/archives/1894

Your anecdote, if true, is worthless here. "It happened to your friend" doesn't mean it happens commonly. It doesn't mean it constitutes a widespread problem which requires the careful consideration of legislators. And it sounds like the justice system worked in your friend's case. He'll be fine.

I'm not suggesting that it doesn't.

"It's tough to pin down where choices stop being individual and start becoming illusions." Ha. That is, like, exactly the theme of my comic's current story arc. "Choice" is a lovely idea, and yes feminism is about choice, but! Choices don't occur in a vacuum. There is a context there. It's funny how infrequently men…