Although I was absolutely thrilled and relieved that the NY-23 race went as it did, I feel that we as democrats need to look at the NJ and VA republican wins as a reason to wake our base up and get moving again. I know that I am not the only one that put every ounce of political energy into Obama's election in November and since that time, since the inauguration actually, I have just been spent. It was exhausting to be here - in the Houston area of Texas - banging the drum for Obama. And I have been less involved than I should have been for the past year.

I don't want to take anything for granted. I don't want to focus on the republican party and its in-fighting. They can do as they wish. What I care about and want to focus on is getting our agenda advanced, getting the safety net securely in place and fastened for our citizens' future. I am saddened by the striking down in Maine of gay rights but I am heartened by Colorado's voting. And here in Houston an openly gay woman and a black man are in a run off for mayor. We have a lot to be happy about but we can't rest on our laurels and get arrogant. We need to broaden our base and encourage our reps to do what needs to be done.

"....those who would sell their body for money reflect a desperate need for attention and are likely to say and do anything for even more attention."

Pot meet kettle.

I understand NP's point of view. I understand as a vegan and someone that has a primary focus on those amongst us with the greatest need for protection and depend on our benevolence, her analogies. I cannot stand nor can I fathom anyone saying that she condones rape. It is cherry-picking verbiage and twisting it to justify your argument. It is pathetic.

As as vegan, I live my life with carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians without judgment but attempt to sway through example. The problem is that when you see what we have seen, when you are exposed to what is going on in the real world in regards to meat production it is very difficult to sit on the fence. It is difficult to watch as others destroy their health with that delightful double bacon cheese burger because you have seen what the animals have had to endure to put that product there. The cruelty and brutality aside, it is poisoning our environment. That is what most animal activists hope you pay attention to. That entire communities have been destroyed, human lives have been devastated solely due to factory farming.

My perspective is difficult to explain. I care deeply for animals as I do children, seniors, and other dependent beings. I believe that we can do better. That we are resourceful and clever enough to come up with a better plan to feed the world. I cringe when others eat meat and dairy. But I was not brought to Christ by others bashing me over the head with a bible so I doubt that anyone will change their eating habits with my beating them over the head with hideous video footage or a soy cheese sandwich.

NP was giving her perspective on the book and on her choices. It is completely irresponsible to misrepresent her.

OMG you described my experience exactly! I considered it to be Dante's Inferno - the relief upon exit was indescribable. I cannot wrap my mind around what would make anyone willfully enter that building. Thanks - great great read.

Once again blaming the media is simply a way of avoiding a truthful analysis of self. They put it out there but it is up to us not to buy it, not to log on and read and comment adding our proverbial fuel to the fame flame. The truth is that many people do not feel important in their lives, not to themselves and not to others. They feel that if their gift could just get noticed then all the things that fame brings will be delivered. They see snippets of lives that they watch vicariously through reality tv, through celeb based shows and media and they wish for the adoration, the fawning. They don't see the stalkers. They don't see the people pilfering through the garbage trying to find embarrassing revelations, they don't see the throngs of people with cameras at the ready to snap a humiliating photos of you with jelly donut on your chin or with your skirt tucked into your underwear or the inevitable belly fat exposed. They see the glory and they want some. They look around at their normal life, with their lived in house with their boring stuff and boring routine and boring jobs and lives and they want excitement.

Unfortunately with the 24 hour news cycles, the media is ready and willing to film or grab the story that will have everyone look. But to blame the camera man and the film maker for the atrocious behavior of the actor/actress is silly. All are willing participants. But if no one goes to the movie, the message is sent.

You absolutely nailed it. That is EXACTLY what is happening. And they are being whipped into a frenzy by am shock jocks and fauxnews.

that chain link fence he's sitting on looks awfully Kenyan.