...the 90% "other services" group. I go to Planned Parenthood for my annual gyn. exam and my birth control prescription, even though I have insurance that would cover a more expensive GYN. Why? Because the staff at my local PP is fantastic, and really care about the women they serve. They never rush indifferently through my appointment because they are trying to cram as many patients in as possible. They ask thorough questions and give thorough answers to every question I ask. They give me routine check-ups for my whole body, not just my girlie parts. They even give follow-up calls from time to time to see how I'm doing because they know I'm on anti-anxiety meds. Just because they care. I use PP as my main source of health care now that I am 36 years-old, and will continue to as long as they are still open for business. God willing, that will be the rest of my life.

I think what has hit me the hardest about Ledger's death is the loss of potential. From the performances I have seen from him, and the reviews he was getting for Dark Knight *before* his death put a spotlight on that role, I just know he had so much more to offer us down the road.

What lifted him above mediocrity for me was the range of characters he had already played at his young age. I can think of no male actor more talented in the under 30 crowd with the exception of Jake Gyllenhaal, and it is without question their performances in Brokeback Mountain that set them above the rest. When other actors their age are doing mostly romantic comedies, potty-humor tripe or action flicks - usually safe and predictable roles - Ledger and Gyllenhaal chose roles that made them work hard to convince us. Ledger crossed decades in his turn as Ennis Del Mar and was as believable as a middle-aged closeted gay man as he was as a high school hottie in "10 Things..."

I mourn the loss of not only a talented actor and loving father, but also the loss of the compelling characters he would have undoubtably shared with me in the years to come.

Ivy League Anon's comments were neither racist nor ignorant - they were *observations* of what happened on campus. Did anon see all the Asians on campus - of course not - but is still allowed to comment on what s/he did see.

And Anon is not alone. I went to the University of Virginia in the early 1990's which, while mostly white, had a significant Asian-American student population for a southern school. One of my dear friends was Korean American, so I spent a lot of time with her Asian friends, and they were far more racist against blacks - out loud - than the white students I knew. I know the Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese equivalents for the n-word because I heard them so much.

Stating this is not racist, it is just an anecdote.

You called "bullshit" on my belief that describing what I experienced on campus was not racism - "Anecdotes CAN and ARE racist if they are written in such a way that said anecdote is supposed to provide support for a larger point."

What larger point was my story making that is racist? All I said was I heard more derogatory terms about blacks from Asians than I did from whites. How is that racist on my part?

And anon? You state "Here's another anecdote for you, Katmarie

I'm Asian American. I knew more white racists growing up than Asian racists. So there."

Thank you for helping to illustrate my point. We all have different experiences. You had yours, I had mine, and anon Ivy had his. Nothing racist in our statements, just info. about life experiences. So thanks for sharing :)

To me, racism includes using one's limited experience with another race to stereotype all persons of that race. Anon Ivy did not do that, and neither did I.

First you made me laugh, then you made me cry. Quite a talent, that.

Right on, Binkley and Uncle M. My husband, 7 year-old son and I wait until all the pushy people board before we bother. We, too, only carry on what we can put under the seat. And not only do we not bother to stand up until it's our row's turn, we often stay seated until *all* the pushy people are off, too. We can exit with ease, and often get to chat with the pilot which my son loves to do. We still get to the baggage claim before our stuff arrives, and who else is standing there, having made no more progress than us? That's right, the pushy people.

I chose to have only one child for econonomic reasons, but have since come to appreciate the ecological value of that decision as well. All of that aside - if I had plenty of money and the planet was in great shape - I'd still only have one. My husband and I can give him undivided attention (without spoiling him, as the two are not mutually exclusive) and still have lots of patience, energy and interest left over for each other and our favorite personal pursuits. So I say enjoy the benefits of a small family, but agree with other posters who say that if you must have a larger one - PLEASE adopt a child in need.

I, too, think prostitution should be legalized. But I think adultry should be illegal. If you're single, have all the sex you want with as many consenting adults as you want, and if you want to pay/charge money for the fun, go right ahead. But if you're married, no more sex with anyone other than your spouse. I think that would make people take marriage much more seriously, before and during the commitment.