Category: Personal Thoughts

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital In WA Shuts Down Youth Gender Clinic Amidst Federal Funding Threat

Carl Setzer

I have many dear friends in the trans community. It pains me to see them targeted so cruelly and brutally. Therefore, it’s painful to read headlines like this one:

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital In WA Shuts Down Youth Gender Clinic Amidst Federal Funding Threat

What’s particularly hard is that this is preventative capitulation. The Trump administration has made a lot of noise about cancelling these programs, but “the Trump regime has yet to actually make good on its threat of successfully withdrawing Medicaid and Medicare funding from a hospital for providing gender-affirming care.” This care is life-saving, starting with “60% lower odds of moderate to severe depression and a 73% lower odds of self-harm or suicidal thoughts” (Exhibit A: Together, we can make health care inclusive for trans youth).

I hope institutions like Mary Bridge can see that pre-emptive capitulation doesn’t serve the interests of those they serve. And medical professionals should also keep in mind the precept of “first do no harm”.

Let’s not give up the fight before it starts.

Thoughts on Boeing and the 737 Max

Carl Setzer
Boeing 737 Max

Boeing Deception Alleged in Scathing Report on Max Crashes

Article via Bloomberg

As a fan of all things Seattle and Boeing, this was painful to read. I’m hopeful that Boeing can fix this, but also recognize that it’s a monumental task of attempting to reboot a corporate culture against decades of history. Crises tend to provide solid energy to overcome social inertia. I hope Boeing is able to pull this off. 

Boeing is still a company I love and admire. Sure, as a fan of things Seattle, and a lover of aviation, I hold a bias. Many, many of my friends and family have held Boeing badges. I deeply want the company to succeed. Yet in a sustainable manner. Erosions of trust at this level are very hard to overcome, and it can’t be done with a model solely focused on maximized profit.

What I’m Reading, May 25, 2020

Carl Setzer

I spent my Memorial Day morning catching up on email and reading. The scope of “keeping up” overwhelms me at times. The only solution I found to not letting this stress me? Accepting the lack of a solution, and that I must choose my focus. So, most of the stuff that comes into my inbox gets deleted.

Here are a few things that caught my eye today:

That’s where I find myself this morning. How about you? Anything inspiring and insightful come into view for you?

Quote of the Day

Carl Setzer

Found this very compelling today. It’s easy to sit back and wait for others to act, to be comfortable with the status quoa. We’re not called to the easy path.

Skagit choir suffers devastating losses

Carl Setzer

So, a choir gathered for their regular rehearsal. Before the more draconian restrictions were set. They limited physical contact, practiced limited social distancing. Covid 19 is quite cruel. We’re seeing that it may be able to transmit through the air between people who showed no symptoms, which makes it that much scarier.  

Anyway, I feel it’s important to point out the choir was following the promulgated protocols at the time of their last rehearsal. 

The story had gone national. This link is to the local paper, The Skagit Valley Herald. 

A Little Dose Of Positivity On This Rather Bleak Day

Carl Setzer

Though the weather’s been lovely, our region’s news has been bleak.

I hope all of you have been safe and healthy during the pandemic, and continue to be so.

Watch “Robin Williams on Carson w/ Jonathan Winters 1991” on YouTube

Carl Setzer

I’ve been fighting a sinus infection for most of the past week. At one point I turned on YouTube, then fell asleep for I-don’t-know-how-long. I woke to see this video going. Memories of seeing Robin Williams filled me with joy, amongst other feelings. So much joy and laughter, balanced against so much sadness and pain. No other person made me laugh harder than Robin. Which makes the fact he took his own life so much more heartbreaking.

I’d never seen this combo of Williams and Jonathan Winters on the old Tonight Show. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Kombi Converse

Carl Setzer

I’m sure its way too late to add this to my Christmas list. But as I love Kombis and Converse, I can’t imagine a better combo. Hmm…a kombi combo? Ah….

Watch “I Just Want To Ride – Lael Wilcox and the 2019 Tour Divide” on YouTube

Carl Setzer

I adore cycling. Its been key part of my life since my mid-tweens. I’ve ridden in many states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Florida amongst others). For most of my twenties I refused to own a car. At one point my bike was the most important thing in my life. Now, things have changed. But I still love life with two wheels.

As a younger chap, a two week ride from Canada to Mexico would’ve seemed awesome. So, discovering Tour Divide captivated me. Discovering Lael Wilcox, the star of the video below, also delights me. I’m looking forward to exploring more of her riding life.

So, this is a great story and ride. I recommend the video below. And I’ll have more to say I’ve watched her other stuff. But go ahead and started. Don’t wait for me! Oh, and let me know what you think, any other riders out there you think I should check out, any suggestions would be very welcome.

Views From The Road In Kirkland

Carl Setzer

The brutality of traffic: my journey home impacted. Made my way through Kirkland, though extremely slowly. The upside? These great photos taken from my car. Right off Lake Washington, the light felt perfect. The cold air, though, presented another challenge. One solved with rolled up windows, I suppose.