Just a bit off the subject, but it never occurred to me that Spike Lee"s "25th Hour" had anything to do with 9/11, other than that it takes place in New York sometime after Sept. 11, 2001, as do many movies.

"A so-what shrug" from voters? What else should be expected? What difference has giving a damn made for me in the last six years? I have not been represented at any level of the federal government in that time, and my vote in 2006 will not change that. I haven't missed taking part in an election since my first one, in 1958. This could be the year.

But in seeking explanations for the phenomenon, let us not overlook another possible stereotype reasserted: Women are more likely than men to commit to ANYTHING.

A feeling of powerlessness has snuffed out my motivation to do anything significant, and I am sure that applies to the great majority of us who feel it. This must be very much like how people feel in an overt dictatorship. Those who supposedly represent us sat by and did nothing while this madness took shape, and their cowardice continues for the reasons you outline. The neocons relied on the stupidity or gullibility of enough people to sell their program to, and it paid off, and thus we are where we are now. Sometimes "majority rules" isn't all that wonderful. Of course there is the question of whether the majority really did rule, but nothing was done to address that question in a meaningful way, either, adding to the feeling of powerlessness. I marched in protest to this war before we ever initiated it and those in power just snickered. What good would marching do now? To me these war criminals committed impeachable offenses, but I can't impeach anybody, and those who can, won't.

Stephanie, you are so right on about Baldwin! He has been underrated as an actor from way back, starting with his Oscar-worthy portrayal of a criminal head case in "Miami Blues." What a shame he basically has had to rely on his SNL appearances for major props. He deserves much better status!

Just dying to see how the GOP handles Bush at its nominating convention! I mean, they can't very well not invite him, can they? He's the PRESIDENT, for heaven's sake! Maybe they'll try to find a way to sneak him in and out at a time when the network cameras are off. Otherwise, he loses them at least 10 million votes just by standing there with that silly smirk.

And by the way, who started that powerful toddler lobby anyway? He/she/they oughta be shot!

It probably should be pointed out that the "percentage of people out there that probably prefers not to get their news from a woman" includes a significant number of women.

Just looked up "sutee" in Webster's New World...nope. Define, please?

While I understand and sympathize with those who would make a feminist issue of references to Hillary Clinton by her first name, there is an obvious point to remember here, and it probably won't go away unless she wins the election and has been in the White House for close to a full term: Her husband was president for two terms! So when the average person hears the name Clinton, the average person still thinks of HIM.

I disagree with Ed Burke's premise -- that red-light running should be morphed into the city budget as desirable income -- but not with his opposition to warning signs. People should honor red lights because it's the law, not because they know they'll be caught if they don't. What about the countless other intersections in Chicago where there are no signs or cameras? Irresponsible drivers will simply view them as the "OK to run" ones.

I've been a New Yorker subscriber for decades, and those are the two things about it that have annoyed me most for just about all of that time: Too much unfunny funny stuff, and not enough writing by women! Good to have it out there!

Wonderful -- so how do we go about it? Or is that a separate essay?

And here seems to be the crux of her problem: The Republican candidates are, as Michael Scherer writes, calling her "a socialist, a big spender, liberalism incarnate," and at the same time, to many Democrats, she is "Bush lite." Can she displease all of the people, all of the time?

The good news is, the magazine has become virtually irrelevant.

I have twice been the "victim" of affirmative action-inspired decisions. In the first instance, I was let go by a company that was downsizing. An African-American, a good friend of mine, who knew I was his superior in all aspects of our work, was kept on. He felt so guilty about it, he was in tears the day the decision was announced. In the second instance, I was actually hired by a company and then "unhired" when an African-American applied for the same job. After these experiences, one would assume I am opposed to affirmative action. I am not. Without it, countless people worthy of advancement would not have received it.

I'm still waiting to hear the GOP's convention plans for Dubya!

No accounting for the Times' Emily Gould departure -- and it surely was that -- but why get so worked up over SATC? Why take it so personally? Ladies, the show/movie isn't about you! It's about four FICTIONAL characters! It's entertainment, period!

The whitest movie ever made? Ummm....ever see "The Big Chill," fella?

You mean Nancy "Off the Table" Pelosi?

Race, race, race and race.

OK, a 5th: Stupidity. Unfortunately, it does not disqualify people from voting.

Andrew Leonard claims Rob Anderson is bucking "the will of his community." Did Leonard take a poll? I'm in the community and Anderson is my hero! The bike nazis be damned!