The horrible conditions described (which I don't doubt) are sickening.

So was the author's lack of responsibility, and concern for any other person (humorless flight attendant, frightened passengers) but his godlike self (except those inmates he found attractive). He can remember the tiniest details that serve his story, but can't recall exactly what he did, or what he pled guilty to?

Sex in prison is "Nasty, brutish, and short"? Isn't that like saying, "The food was awful...and such small portions"?

I have an inkling one of his roommates was James Frey.

and Salon continues its downward spiral.......

Just count the number of letters, and compare them to the number of responses to other the other pieces.

Misson Accomplished, Joan. You must be so proud.

Brought to you by Patrick's employers, generously sponsoring his impartial, unbiased column. So, a big thanks to...well, we don't know who, since he won't tell us who they are.

Anyway...remember...Small carriers, bad. Big carriers, good.

Next time; "Nicotine, the Miracle Drug", sponsored by Phillip Morris.

"Oh kiss my ass, Jester. I've been writing this column for the better part of five years -- an endeavor that began long before I was back in a carrier's active employ -- and I've been consistent in my points of view regarding airlines large and small.

Patrick Smith"

Yes, Patrick, and during that entire time, you were an apologist for the airline industry. I didn't just pop in here to make trouble. I've read the columns.

You write about air travel, and you are in the paid employ of a major air carrier. (Remember how you wouldn't even admit that, at first? Then, when you were cornered, it wasn't relevant? It's not illegal, not even unethical, but it's relevant.) No one is denying your right to do both. Just don't be so damned disingenuous to deny that there's a blatant conflict of interest at work here. Just like many others, I enjoy your column when you give information on things that are of concern to even a casual traveler, and give us the benefit of your experience and expertise. But, when your employer has a stake in an issue (horrendous delays, big carriers vs. small, etc.), don't be intellectually dishonest and deny it, and don't be so damn thin-skinned. You want to write without dissent? Try the in-flight magazine.

Dane Cook is not funny. Who he's slept with, or sleeping with, doesn't make him funny, either.

When you're this bad at your job, and this stupid, why not try faking it? It's not like anyone is going to get fired over the illusion of truth. I mean, no one specifically asked during the conference if they were FEMA plants, so in effect, it wasn't a lie, right? WMDs, anyone?

If you can't be an elite runner, you can at least suck up to them by insulting those who aren't, and dare to take part anyway?

Way to go, Ed...I think I'll write something about how many people shouldn't be biking...then, maybe Lance Armstrong will think I'm cool.

I don't run, but I think any overweight average joe who gets off the couch, plods along a marathon course, and even tries to finish it is damn brave....braver than someone sitting on his ass at a keyboard, at any rate. Even if you don't think he deserves to be out there.

"Edward McClelland is the author of "The Third Coast," a Great Lakes travelogue to be published in February."

I can't wait to hear how regular folk have ruined the experience of trekking around the Great Lakes for those who are better equipped to appreciate it. I should check, though...I'll bet someone from Slate already wrote about it.

...is amateur "wannabe" writers like McClelland, who fool themselves into thinking they can be a real writer, plopping themselves in front of a monitor and overtaxing their flabby brains. It takes away from the hard work and professionalism of real writers who've been at it a much longer time. If idiots like McClelland are allowed to pound out their pathetic attempts to pander to an elite group they can't be a part of, well, it'll just kill the competitive spirit of American writers today, and we'll have to start relying on immigrants with talent (or, smaller egos, anyway). I blame Oprah's Book Club.

See, I was good writer in High School, and I could be a real writer, like the people I'm talking about, but I sprained my wrist.....