So you say. Let’s say I find your position plausible, in this broad-strokes presentation. Where’s the policy analysis, the polling, the data to support it? When you plug in some of that, you’ll have a case. What you have here is an outline, and that’s not grounds for us to get into a really constructive back and…

I don’t find that metaphor useful toward shared understanding.

I don’t agree with your characterization of the political situation, though agree with your principles in their broad strokes.

Indeed — information never helped anyone.

I encourage you to send this out as an op-ed.

Hi, Craig. Thanks for posting.

“I’m a professional writer with a degree in journalism and no matter how fast you need to publish...”
Faulty coordination: these clauses should not be joined in a sentence without language of logical transition. (-10)

For “editor” read “proofreader.”

— an editor.

Oh yes. The tourists often have the West Coast in mind, skewed view of the world that they have and all.

You’re obviously surrounded by West Coast fifth columnists. Look around discretely — do you see an exit? Excuse yourself from the table and see if you can slip out the door without being noticed.

Here in Boston, when we talk about Portland, we’re not talking about Oregon.

Secret identity compromised! Run, they’re on to you!

“... and your answer is to write a rant at him about his privilege.”

Hi, Adora.

James? Right.

Hi, Ben. Thanks for joining the convo.

The essay has a ton of great features and great images, but would have benefited from an editor to tighten and restructure it. As it is, the MFA filigree muffles the best parts. Even so, I want to celebrate the author’s potential (which is real).

Hey, my friend is in this! She kicks all the ass.

Wait wait wait. Is your energy...

FLAGGING?

Ah, gotcha. You probably could have made the same point *without* being crassly dismissive. More flies with honey etc; why make an enemy when you can make a friend? (The crassness of the profanity being above objection, though; a little cussing isn’t a problem among consenting adults.)

Ah: there’s a fair point there. We can support trans acceptance without passively repeating old knocks against folks in any particular identity group.