I think I've learned a few things after reading this article and more specifically all the letters.

1: It never ever ever crossed my mind that the guiter playing diaper man in the chevy superbowl commerical might actually USE the diaper!!! I don't know why, but I never even considered the idea. I thought that commerical was funny when I first saw it and thought nothing of diaper man's appearance at the end but now I'll never be able to see again without thinking of something entirely different. ...shudder... I'm no longer of the opinion that guiter playing diaper man should be allowed to walk around Times Square!! Keep your kink at home guy.

2: As a premium paying member from day 1 I don't think I ever gave any thought to how many advertisements must appear on these pages (thanks Rob Anderson). When I first became a premium member I was just hoping Salon would stay afloat, I'm glad to hear Salon must be doing well. I'm perfectly satisifed to continue paying for whatever reason.

3: I thought Dan's response was excellent.

... the response was very Andrea Dworkin with no aknowledgment of some of the more, for lack of a better term, pro-sexual feminist writers. But then again, I am a guy. The response seemed very consistent with many of the religions of the world (especially where I grew up). I know I wish women would stop expressing thier sexuality, what I really mean is that I wish women could express their sexuality without men responding except in ways that the women imagine they should, I mean guys should understand that it is wrong for them enjoy seeing a sexy young woman at the beach wearing a small bikini, what I really mean is that it's okay to enjoy the bikini but you must accecpt that your objectifying that poor woman (thank god woman don't ever ever do that), always absolutely keep it to yourself and never share it with your wife because that is wrong, unless of course you happen to be with a woman who expects that you would enjoy it and then it is wrong to pretend it doesn't (in this case pretend it does turn you on even if you couldn't care less to avoid making her think you're strange), what I really mean is that boobs are bad if you see them as anything other than baby feeding things, what I really mean is that boobs are really sexy but only on your wife, other women are just sluts wanting attention, except for the more liberated women who walk around topless at protests expressing themselves as more than their boobs (we all respect that intellectually and of course would never enjoy it for any reason other than bold political statement being made),...

What I really mean is that it is very important for women to understand that you can take any stand you want depending on how you feel and what is most socially advantagious because no one will challenge you. There aren't many women who will stand up and be willing to appear as either the prude or slut of the group (depending on whatever perspective your using at the moment). What I really mean is that there really is such a thing as healthy sexuality... and it is whatever the woman you are with defines it as... except if the woman is curious and really asks you to be honest with them, then tell them exactly what they want to hear, I mean really, anyone who engages in anal sex is a real freak (except for the women who like it, more power to them), and let's face it any woman who would engage in group sex is totally fucked up, except for the one's who are expressing themselves because they truely enjoy it and then it is okay, but of course they are really fucked up (we all know it), except for the ones who really really honestly do it because they want to do it, we respect them and would never suggest they are really just fucked up.

No worries women of the world, keep fighting the good fight. Moral superiority will always be at your side, no matter what your idea of proper sex is. I mean really, there isn't a group of people that ever existed who would try and define proper sexual attitudes for social gain. Ignore Engles, he was only trying to use sex to explain the dominant social order as it relates to capitialism (unless of course you believe women's sexuality is controlled for economic gain then use his argument without restraint, I agree with both of you!), and please please ignore all those crazy women wearing viels because they are also oppressed and need to be enlightened (except for those who are expressing their deeply help religious beliefs, of course we respect them), what I really mean is...

Great stuff. Reading those last couple of paragraphs I experienced the same spine tingle/shutter/emotional thingy that I experienced when I read the last couple of pages of Joseph Heller's 'Somthing Happened.' I didn't see it coming. Loved it.

"As someone whose idea of submission was letting my husband add his last name (along with mine) to our children's surnames..."

Something about that phrase... I'm still laughing at your husband! I'd recommend trying not to backhand your husband so publicly; it must be embarrassing for him.

keep up the good work!

speaking of niche.. formula one is putting together a fantastic year. Thank god for tivo.