This is the same thing as your boss ordering you to fire a colleague. You go and do it. Why? Because you're following orders. Now you just cost a person their job and quite possibly ruined their life. If you tell me you won't do it, and quit because of it, endangering your own career, you're just being unrealistic and silly.

War is a thousand times worse. You're drafted. You know what that means? That you *have* to go. Don't even start with "oh oh you had a choice, you had a choice". Military training conditions you to follow orders, unquestioningly. When your superior orders you to do something, you do it. When your life is in danger, there are only two variables: friend or enemy. If enemy, kill it.

I'm starting to think that those of you who bash the soldiers who come back had the nice comfy life of never seeing what war is truly about and only seeing what TV and hollywood shows you. Then you're all shocked when you see the pics. Well guess what the soldiers had to live with throughout their entire time in service. That experience changes you. It haunts you in ways that a hippie war protester would never understand.

Jebus, if you don't wanna date you wanna date. It works both ways for men and women. Pretty simple stuff. Must be pretty serious for some of you if you have to take pills to squelch the urges. Why make so many rationalizations and excuses.

Those of you who are bitter bad treatment from bad men, understand that men have the exact some problems with women too, even if you don't relate to that and honestly don't care. The problems are the same from both sides.

For your sexual urges there are services out there for both men and women. You go in, leave happy, and have your needs met without the commitment, and move on with your life. No messy relationship stuff, your life will be better for it and you'll be less bitter to boot.

The author admitted it herself. She dated a 24-year old man when she was underage. Who's to say she didn't have sex with him too? She coulda blew the whistle on him too after consexual sex.

So it's OK when a girl says it, but it's not OK the other way around. Double-standard.

The message should go both ways. Overage should not date underage. And underage should not persue overage.

Beside the existing ad(which can shock but otherwise is fine), should be a second ad with the picture of a twenty-something man with the caption: "If you're under the age of 18, then he's too old for you".

That would set things equal both ways.

This is nothing more complicated than a daughter helping her mom in time of need.

Move on folks, nothing to see here.

Slow news day Salon?

Those of you who say we men are programmed to rape and kill, because hey - it's our nature - don't forget this - we are also the ones who can somehow become buddies with the guy we just had a huge scrap with. Tell me how many women do that, versus how many seem to hold grudges each other forever and ever for what appears to men, over the smallest thing.

Now back on topic. The double-standard thing is gosh-darn old news. It's just the way things are, and it's not gonna change. Remember that "hot" teacher who banged her student and got away with it, saying "it was just a bump in the road" ? She got away with it scot-free. The lad is probably high-fiving his mates when he heard she's fine, he's fine, we're all gonna be fine.

Older man bedding a young girl is gonna get slammed in court, and in prison.

Older woman bedding a young man? Well if you're ugly, hell, you're going to jail. If you're good looking...yeah you'll probably get off with maybe a slap on the wrist.

That's just the way it is.

Good show on the plant, very clever. It will deter some people, definitely, but won't deter all. But it's still something.

Now about the parking spot.

You brought this upon yourself, the whole girl and her boyfriend thing and her friends. Sorry if this sounds harsh - but in the future you need to remember this...give 'em an inch, and they'll take a mile. It's true. They're not evil people. They're just trying to push as far as they can go. Not saying it's right.

Stop it with the passive-aggressive notes on the windshield. It doesn't solve anything. It's too impersonal. It would make a huge difference if you walked up their house, knocked on the door, and asked them to move the car, and please don't park there again. Ever. Or I charge you for the time you park there. You need to make it unpleasant enough for them - without undue conflict - that they won't want to do it again. If you intimidate her, she'll pull out her big bad boyfriend - but honestly I think you'd rather deal with a man than a woman, and I don't need to explain why.

You're making excuses with the whole "not wanting to charge" for the spot. These are the parking spots you get - treat them as such! They're yours, until you move out, thus stop being such a doormat about it.

These "tomboys" are comfortable with themselves and do whatever they please, be it dress urban style or throw on a dress if they feel like it.

Why is this "feminist" news? These women do what they like, are confident with themselves in what they do, and don't overcompensate whilst doing it. THAT is sexy. Bottom line it doesn't matter whether she's girly or boyish - if she's confident, knows what she wants, and follows through with her convictions - that's not necessarily feminism. That's being a confident *person*.

Move along, nothing to see here.