Caitlin Flanagan is more to be pitied than censured, in my book. Yes, she has money, a nanny, a great writing pedigree, enviable book and article contracts, and, no doubt, a killer agent. I don't bother reading anything under her bylines anymore, because her smug snarkiness is so self-aggrandizing and mean-spirited, but back when I did get sucked in by her admittedly fine writing she struck me as the poster child for brainy, compassionless female narcissism. Her self-loathing and inward emotional turmoil roil and churn below the glassy surface and the breezy lines. If she is, as I suspect, a complete narcissist, then that means she was raised by narcissists, is incapable of genuine, unconditional give-and-take love and connection, can only operate in a tight circle of others like her, and is likely be feared and despised by her children, in turn. Nothing I've ever read by her leads me to think she's ever felt relaxed, fulfilled, or deeply loved. And even her cancer cure -- I'm sure she had the best doctors and the finest care -- leads her to more judging, rationalization, and self-delusion. So if she pisses you off, view her instead as a cautionary example....the kind of person you don't want to be. The kind of person who will get shriller with time and will always have admirers, but who will keep missing the boat when it comes to love and compassion. How sad to have so many blessings and connections but so little heart.

This simultaneously brought tears to my eyes and spurred me on to actively, passionatelym and persistently resist this botched, hubris-driven war. From start to end, the piece brims with compassion and clarity. Amen.

For some it's a Coke vs, Pepsi, Apple vs PC debate but here are 10 reasons why I'll never switch from Netflix to Blockbuster

1. Blockbuster is several miles from my house

2. I hate their fluorescent lighting the lines, and the nuclear-butter smell from their popcorn machine ;-)

3. I'm a child-free night owl -- their hours don't suit me

4. The nearest BB doesn't stock the films i want to see -- slasher flicks and children's films aren't high on my list

5. I prefer to support the innovator, not the copycat (and yes, I love Apple)

6. Netflix has superb customer service and has always believed me when a disc didn't arrive or function

7. The reviewing, rating, and try-this features on Netflix suit me fine

8. There's only been one film I've wanted to see that Netflix doesn't carry (Welcome to Woop Woop)

9 Carl Icahn is both a Blockbuster director and the company's largest shareholder; Netflix feels more grassroots to me and less corporate

10. Netflix saves me a fortune over cable, which I canceled once the red envelopes started arriving - no compelling reason to switch and I'm hoping they'll expand their selection to suit more sophisticated, quirky & niche-y viewers