afdtk has eloquently stated what this season is about. This letters thread has reminded me of all the complaints of season 2 and people's frustration with having to 'jump' a level in vantage point to see how the various systems interconnect.

This season is about information and how it forms and distorts our world. Given what has occured since 2000 in America, how anyone can say that McNulty's serial killer is unbelievable/untenable?

After creating such a trenchant show for 4 seasons, I don't believe David Simon has suddenly developed a tin ear. McNulty's scam is supposed to be stupid and obvious to us... not thrilling. It will be the press and the administration on down that makes it an 'issue' that we all know is undeserving of attention. Especially as other detectives are diverted from doing 'real work'.

Sound familiar?

For the few letter writers critizing King for not addressing Knight's basketball 'acumen' in this piece, try this on for size:

IU had recruited one of the top highschool prospects in Indiana (and the country) to play for the vaunted Hoosiers. DUring that recruit's first few weeks at IU, he spotted his 'coach' at a campus eatery and greeted him. Knight promptly (and publicly) blew his recruit off because he was just another kid who had no business addressing 'Coach' in public. That kid promptly left school to become a garbage man. Literally.

The kid's name? Larry Bird.

So for those who have trouble doing the math: Knight is a self-obsessed, blinkereed moron who wouldn't deign to recognize LARRY BIRD in public due to his 'old-school' horseshit 'reasoning'. There's comes a time when one's 'rules' need to be thrown out in the presence of greatness. It's what talent scouts/coaches are supposed to do. But the only greatness Knight ever saw was himself.

Larry Bird decided it would be better to be a garbage man than play for Knight. I can't think of a more fitting indictment of the TaskMaster.

I've been rewatching much of the previous seasons as I wait for new episodes. There is a set piece that is constant throughout the series where McNulty and Bunk drunkenly assess/bitch/gripe/philopophize about whatever situation they're in at the time. They are normally outside at the tracks or in a parking lot late at night.

I felt that what Simon was getting at with the statue wasn't that McNulty's crazy but that he is now alone and isolated with no one else to communicate with. He's cut off. I agree with the commentator(s) that it was a bit on the nose, but when the scene revealed McNulty was alone I admit that I immediately thought "Oh, where's Bunk?"

Do you really *not* know where the crowds are who are salivating at watching 'celebrity' men by destroyed? Head over to ESPN. Kobe rape trial? Spygate? Sprewell's choke hold? "Malace in the Palace"? Pacman Jones? Stephen Jackson's shoot out? Are these ringing any bells?

Oh, yeah. Roger Clemens is being called before CONGRESS. As was McGwire, Sosa and Palmeiro. People love watching these 'heros' getting 'what they deserve'/'showing their true colors' garbage just as much as pulling down Lindsey, Paris, et al.

The arenas are different. The economic models are unique. But the visciousness of the crowd is the same.

"...too easy to produce"

What? I had a helluva time making my way through Repetition, got only half way through In the Labryinth, and can't ever find The Erasures. (Probably on ABE now that I think about it). The A.R-G is not my favorite and his work is certainly very demanding. I can't for a moment possibly believe that his texts are in any way 'easy to produce'. What does the author of this article means by that line?

This is a reasonable fratboyish list of books that includes some titans of thought along with silly boy scouting guides and the bible.

Besides The Brothers K and the entire ouvre of PK Dick, what books did you feel were egregiously left off? (not rhetorical)

I try to work "the empire never ended" into casual office conversations as much as possible but have stopped just short of offering "Be Choosy Chew ChewZ" during branding 'brain'storming sessions ;-)

Pierce writhing in agony on the floor for a little drama? Maybe. Pierce 'faking' the pain, being carried off and missing court time to pump up the crowd in Game 1? Um no. Not even close.

I'm not a real fan of 'machismo' but why all the shots being taken in the thread at Pierce's 'manhood'? [Tenuous] Please remember that the dude was stabbed 11 times in a nightclub. Just sayin'...

I've gotta disagree with just about every letter writer here. Keep Lieberman on. The Dem's have the power to kick his butt out at any time. Why wouldn't they wait to see if he performs/votes along the party line and follows directions like a good boy? Lieberman has nothing but his own 'influence'/reputation now to preserve. If that can be used to help push forward Obama's agenda AND keep a a potential trouble maker in check, I don't see any sound practical reasoning to expel him just yet.

We finally have a Winner in office. If The Big O is willing to 'reach across the aisle more b.s. b.s. b.s.' to neutralize pain in ass Lieberman, then do it and gain a little leverage.

This nonsense about party ideals is just puerile. We have a country to fix.