...rhetorical arguments don't cut it. If absentee ballots were deliberately withheld, or voting machines meted out in a way to create long lines in Democratic districts, with the result that people didn't vote, it is not sufficient rebuttal to point out they don't technically count as "voters turned away".

It may be grammatically correct, but it approaches obtuseness given that we all understand the reality and tactics of voter suppression.

Additionally, merely supposing that voters probably don't know who a candidate is anyway (Connally) hardly constitutes a reasoned response. Presume they do, then explain the odd voting, please.

...or do the majority of "Editor's Picks" here support Manjoo's position?

And does that sort of thing seem to be happening with increased frequency at Salon?

Hi. I'm always slagging Cary's advice, so I thought I'd post that he's right on the money this time.

I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know.

People do long deployments in the military and stay together. There are 2 and 3 year hardship deployments without spouses. To assume a marriage can not survive such a separation is not founded in evidence. WHO and other international AID workers do this all of the time, as do State Department workers.

How many of these people get married then announce they're joining up and leaving?

How many guys get married then come home and say "honey, I want to join the Marines and be deployed overseas for two years -- you can come with me if you want"?

Speaking for myself, it's not being blase' about anything. It's the nagging feeling that this young relationship is doomed and that practicality -- self preservation -- needs to take over for the LW.

Why? Dunno. Experience, maybe. That it sounds like situations I've heard before, most if not all of which end badly.

That may be why so many people suspect "another man" without any evidence. Something about it just doesn't FEEL right. Most people starting a life together are way into it -- they don't announce that they're going overseas for two years voluntarily.

It could be that the LW changed -- that having found a job he likes he doesn't want to go with her, even though the general idea might have been something they talked about before. Maybe he's changed and not her. But it doesn't matter.

Whatever the situation it doesn't feel right. Particularly given their youth.