I think she's channeling Kristin from the MTV show Laguna Beach (i.e. "The Real O.C."... and she's doing a pretty good job.

I think the LW would have mentioned if there were a back story here. If there were any mitigating circumstances, why wouldn't she have included them? Her best defense of her actions (as she puts it):

"a scenario in which he had other options and his coming to my place would have ruined my day."

If you were asking Cary to weigh in on this situation, wouldn't you mention it if the friend has a history of being manipulative/needy or your BF is the jealous type? Clearly.

At any rate, I think she's just a bad friend. I'm surprised she has a circle of friends to begin with.

Being shy doesn't make you a heartless person. Not wanting to make a connection with your neighbors doesn't make you a heartless person. People who are social by nature don't usually understand the discomfort and anxiety a shy person feels in trying to communicate and how trying to form a relationship with a neighbor might be more of a painful than a joyful experience. I think since the neighbor made no effort to reach out herself and had plenty of family to take care of her, it isn't a case of the LW being neglectful. She acted just fine.

Eugenics?

Giving women the option of safe, voluntary abortion is worlds apart from selective breeding. Dr. McCreary has no say in what children are born to what families; the very point of her traveling to perform abortions is to allow the *families* to have that say (rather than the state of South Dakota)!

Anyway, thanks to Broadsheet for continuing the coverage of the SD controversy.

I've been waiting for Bush to alienate Hispanic voters; this petty argument is perfect, because while it might be hurtful symbolically, it doesn't really address any life-or-death issues (such as, say, the ability to work and provide your family with food). Stick to your guns, Mr. President! Keep digging that hole! I'll see you and your party in November!

I wonder what would have happened if there were a laugh track playing? I think a lot of people were stifling their laughter in an effort not to be the only one laughing. That's the only way I can explain the silence, unless 75% of the audience just doesn't get irony (doubt it), because I thought the whole thing was hilarious. I sat here watching it in the comfort of my own office, though, free to laugh without offending anyone. I can imagine if I sat at a table with some stone faces, I'd be holding myself back. Remember the power of group mentality...

I'm guessing the two of you are still pretty young. You didn't say that the last time you saw him was in high school, but if that's so, that makes you about 25. To have had a five year relationship end at the age of 25 would be pretty traumatic, esp if she was there for him through the death of his father. 5 years is nearly his entire adult life so far.

Anyway, my guess is he's frightened. I'm guessing that over "he didn't feel attraction when he saw you face to face" because of the fact that he canceled his first trip to see you. One earlier letter writer got it-- a long distance flirtation is safe, but face to face interaction is dangerously close to starting an actual relationship, which could get him hurt again.

Whatever the reason, he's not ready to have anything more. If you really like him, apologize for misreading his signals (even if that's not what really happened), and maintain a long distance communication, but don't flirt anymore. Keep it a friendship. Meanwhile, move onto men in your own city who are sure they're ready to date someone. If prom date eventually comes around, he will let you know. If not, then you've got a friend and you've moved on romantically.

If nothing else, moving on will give you 20/20 hindsight.

I remember back when I used to go to Planned Parenthood for my birth control prescription. The doctor gave me EC as well, without my even asking about it, and explained what it was. I never ended up having a need for it, but I can only imagine the relief I would have felt if I ever did need it, and there it was in my medicine cabinet. I hope that doctors are on board for this. It makes so much sense that I wonder why it isn't common practice already.

I thought it was a great article. I must have missed the part where Rebecca sounded hateful or pissed.

I have one peeve. Can we stop equating blonde with stupid? The article itself only mentioned it a few times, but for some reason every time I hear a discussion about stupid celebrities or the culture of vapidity, the word "blonde" gets thrown in as if it's a given that blonde women are stupid, and stupid women are blonde. Somehow it's a stereotype that everyone feels free to perpetuate.