It’s bad enough that fear sets the people’s teeth on edge and casts a dark spell over daily life in the greatest, richest country in the world. But more significantly, fear and paranoia lead to government by emotion, not thoughtful policy. Emotion trumps intellect so when policy is guided by fear, it’s usually flawed. Like spending billions on weapon systems that don’t work and even where they do, are not designed for the real world conflicts we’re likely to face in the years ahead.

Liberals, on the other hand, reject these scary scenarios because, to borrow a phrase, they know that ultimately there’s nothing to fear but fear itself.

While fear certainly leads to "government by emotion" so does the incessant Marketing Culture that is the United States- perhaps much more so.

Marketing is aimed at the lizard-brain, which lies below the subconcious. Unless you have studied the techniques, and have the necessary awareness, you can be emotionally manipulated by it before you are even aware of what is happening to you. Modern media, especially in the US, is all about Marketing. I am hyper-sensitive to this- viscerally resentful of all effects to manipulate my emotions to the point that partaking of TV and Radio are painful. So I don't.

Even the sound of a TV in a restaurant or airport (usually tuned to Fox- funny that) instantly sets my teeth on-edge and raises my blood pressure.

Businesspeople, understand and do marketing better than anyone. It's in their DNA. Socially-concious progressives, on the other hand find the practice repellent. It's no secret which political parties are overwhelmingly represented by one or the other group, and which one is better at winning elections by pandering to raw emotion rather than actual substance.

I have participated recently in a few discussions regarding firearms. I choose not to own a gun, but I don't care if anyone else does, as long as they are properly trained in its use and storage, and are at least marginally sane.

I do, however, resent some paranoiac gun-nut telling me that I should get a gun because of what a dangerous world it is out there- inevitably painting in lurid colors, any number of violent fantasies about bad guys doing harm to me or my family to make his point.

Think about it- if I got a gun for that reason alone, I would be a mess. I'd have to pack heat at all times, keep up my marksmanship skills, and be on a 24/7 hairtrigger everytime I encountered a shady-looking character and wondering if I could out-draw him. That would be no way for me to live.

I am a native NY-er, so I don't scare that easily. I survived 9/11, so I am not naiive. I know horrible things sometimes happen to people, but the probability is not high enough that I am willing to live as under seige because of it. Not only that, having a gun in those rare cases is absolutely no insurance that everything will come out OK.

I accept a certain amount of uncertainty and risk. I worry more about buckling my seatbelt than I do about some loon sadistically torturing my wife while I stand by helplessly, wishing that I was packing. Indeed, it is hard to live a full live without doing those things.

My life has been infinitely calmer and more beautiful and awe-inspiring since I have refused to participate in mass media products. I hope more people become aware of what lies just below the surface of the entertainment they so mindlessly consume.

...and someone who is admittedly not the skinniest guy on the block, I say the extra charge policies for obesity are perfectly fair. I am working hard to get myself back into shape and loose some extra baggage, but if I ever balloon to obscene proportions (G-d forbid!) I'd be the first to pony up extra buckage- if for no other reason that I'd want to be comfortable.

At 6' and 230# I still manage to stay in my allotted space. I can easily use the toilets, etc.

Now, living in the Buckle of the Fat Belt (Eastern TN) I can't tell you how many times, when during the boarding process at my teeny little regional airport, I have seen some enormous corn-fed bubba come waddling down the aisle while praying to myself, "Please don't let him sit next to me!" I'm talking about guys who tip the scales at 400# or more. Seriously.

The test is simple. If you overflow your seat with the armrests down, you are taking up too much space, and should be charged for it. End of story.

I'm sorry that you have had such a struggle with your weight. I could tell a similar story, myself, so I am writing with a helpful suggestion:

Your statement, "I'm a pit of hunger" clued me in to the possibility that you could have problems with carbohydrates and insulin regulation, which causes exactly the kind of cravings you describe. People with this problem (like me) literally have to snack or pass out.

I am loath to shill for commercial enterprises in such forums, but much has been written about this subject. One pair of doctors calls it "carbohydrate addiction" and treats it with a dietary regimen that is low carbohydrate except for one hour a day. Google around and you will find what I am talking about.

I've been trying this for three weeks, and I have tolerated it very well, so far, with some modest weight loss.

Whatever you do, I wish you all the best, and if you lose your battle with obesity, please be kind to yourself, even if others aren't.