Yes, illegal immigration is bad... ask any Indian. The issue is more complex than "they took our jobs, overburdened the system... and whatever the talking point du joir is for now." Much of this debate smacks of people in exclusive neighborhoods who want to be the last ones in before we lock out the hooligans that follow. For you righties in the mix... please rationalize NAFTA and the immigrant issue. If you want to talk about downward wage pressure, look to Wall Street (and those off shore shelters), not East LA... The academic was talking about those fear-inducing crimes that Fox likes to spew (violent crimes against persons)... His point was that those crimes are LESS likely to be committed by someone who wants to make it here than what O'Reilly was insinuating. Remember, those of you indignant about those immigrants, don't speed on the way home today... it's ILLEGAL.

Wow, there are more posts here than what I figured to be the sum of NBA fans still watching. I find NBA hoops unwatchable.

The last five minutes of any playoff game is sufficient.

Unlike anonymous (why are you so chicken?), I found the piece to be a vivid reminder of what happens when fear and power are combined.

I am not sure that it was completely appropriate as a graduation speech... but it was at Berkely, so what are the odds that a bunch of young republicans were seated in the rhetoric grad seats?

Having grown up watching vietnam on the tube, I insist that we get similar doses of Iraq. Danner was right about TV having a huge impact (I'll never forget the feelings of despair I had watching that unfold), but what is missing is the reality of Iraq. Reading the story of those Iraqis sifting through body parts... at least we have some American Idol's hair to worry about.

When I saw footage of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps, I swore that I (and our country) could never fall victim to that sort of propaganda... what the hell happened?

I live in the great state to the east of Mr. Keillor, and I enjoy our brand new library at least once a week with my children. I also enjoy the downtown urban libraries of the large cities where I have lived and currently work.

Maybe some of you are missing the point... these libraries must be democratic. Show me anywhere else where these (undesirable?) people can go during the day and not be booted out.

I have lived in Cleveland, Stockton, Seoul, Madison, and small town USA. I get my library card before updating my driver's license every time. While not always the idyllic spot in the essay, still worth every penny. It is sad to hear that many of you are seeing them disappear. My hope is that my passion for libraries will stay with my kids as they become mentors for the generation that follows them.

Excellent post... so much so, it got me even more upset.

All I can hope for is some sort of karma... it is really disheartening to see what we have allowed to happen the past 7 years. ugh.

This line says it all: "The plan was to reverse-engineer those techniques for use on real detainees." What kind of "medical professionals" would even consider doing that? This isn't a debatable point. It's no wonder we psychologists are accused of being pseudo-scientists. The APA doesn't deserve dues from any of us for sitting on their hands for the past year. Remember how Eugenics was the great answer? Great names like Goddard and Terman were all for it. The Nazis provided the lab for it. Good job psychology, in staying on the cutting edge of the worst part of human behavior.

How, you ask?

Why not ask John McCain how well torture worked on him? At least his torturers got to know the Green Bay Packers better.

Quote: "For those opposed to torture..

.. have you ever tried it?

You might find that it grows on you."

You are absolutely correct that it does... read Philip Zimbardo's (psychologist) research.

...but I haven't read anything in your posts that convince me that your libertarian approach is superior to what Chris is arguing. I have to give the star to Chris.

I do agree with you that government has become huge... especially under the "anti-government" presidencies of Reagan and Bush II.

If health insurance could operate under the same model as other casualty insurance products, I might agree with your point. But health care isn't all about accidents. Our bodies deteriorate over time, or start out with little ticking genetic time bombs. I can't just say "tough shit" to those who get a bum deal. Right now I am already subsidizing all kinds of players in the health care game. If we really had the guts to rid us of the middle man, people would be pleasantly surprised at how minimal the net financial impact would be on them. I have been working in the industry (provider side and managed care side) for years. We NEED a universal single payer system.

Any time you want to compare volunteer hours and dollars, let me know. Talk about sanctimonious...

Maybe liberals do it (give) as a matter of course, so they don't feel the need to trumpet it to everyone.