Via Anglachel, an interesting article by Riverdaughter at The Confluence on "the pain of independence."  Because yes, peer pressure is a real thing in the world, and yet it is a pernicious thing that is not often a force for Good.  (One of the few items in peer pressure's favor is that bullying and bigotry are less and less OK.)

Accept the pain of independence, learn to dissent and triumph over them. Think of it this way, dissenting is the best way to preserve our democracy. That’s an idea that is worthy of the pain.

Needless to say, I disagree in some spots. ;-)

ETA:  (Yes, so soon!) Southern Beale spotlights the willful ignorance spouted by Tennessee state senator Stacey Campfield and notes that he was later denied service at a bistro.  She also recounts what happened when McDonalds set up a hashtag at Twitter.

Soon there will be baseball!