I'm a reader and a writer and often enjoy reading the perspective other folks have on life's mundane experiences. However, half way down the first take of this piece I began rapid scrolling hoping to be slowed by a great turn of phrase or unique point that would set this apart from other similar stories. It didn't happen. Reaching the bottom, I saw that the piece wasn't yet over and another take awaited me if I dared. I didn't dare. This IKEA recounting was an exhausting, undisciplined,unfair waste of space. And, it's not the writer's fault. What writer wouldn't jump at the opportunity to "be published" and be read? That's why I post letters.

So, I ask Salon editors; "Exactly what is it that you do all day?" No editing, no notice of warmed over content other posters easily spotted. Do some work and spare the reader for heaven's sake. Let some of these "writers" you publish go blog on their own undisciplined, stream of consciousness blogsite.

Full disclosure, as you journalists love to say, I have six IKEA Billy bookcases and 8 kitchen cabinets including a corner upper and base, all of which I assembled myself single handedly. Getting the bed next. And, I'm a girl. An old girl at that. And adore IKEA.

Alex, Jeez, guess there was no way you could have written "Rep Wexler, D-Fla is expected to announce his resignation Wednesday. Next job uncertain. Stay tuned." 15 inches of unnecessary speculation is really irritating. Can't you just say what's important to say and quiet the keyboard until you know more?

I thought it was a comedy!

It feels all made up. At least I hope so. Faux reality on Facebook. She reveals all. He threatens to "unfriend"!!?? Two self-centered, pseudo-adults with children with no one to raise them. Another generation of the unraised - social networking style.

Is anyone monitoring this site for bogus posts? Listerlee is really irritating. However, if posting ads and irrelevant go-to links in your comment block is ok, I've got some things to sell too. Just let me know.

..."It is not decent that people avoid seeking help for want of insurance. It is not decent that people go broke trying to get well. You know it and I know it. Time to fix it."

Yes, decency. It is the one word that remains MIA in the confusing, clashing, separatist commentary on health care repair. Cogent thinking. Relevant writing. That's why I cherish Garrison Keillor.

for the future are the anonymous puppet masters behind the scene now known as the Senators' staff. The knuckleheads you name are hard pressed for an original thought and thus default to their very young, underpaid, unguided staffs who fill the leadership vacuum by providing these talking heads with knee jerk comments on the most important social and political issues of the day. These staffers are possibly tomorrow's senators. Those are the people one ought to get to know now.

Alex,

Have you or Glenn checked your resources to see if this Orly woman really is all she says she is, lawyer, realtor, etc.? Confirmation or denial would be interesting. I may have been under a rock and missed any diligence Salon has reported on her but... in case we just got caught up in the siren song of her nutty world and forgot to ask, I'm just askin'.

Maybe I missed it but, is this woman really a lawyer? And since she demonstrates very clearly by her own words that she's off balance why is media left and right spending so much time with her? What's that about?

Puleeze!

Did a quick mirror check. Yep, I'm black. Born that way. And after 62 years - still black. I'm also a writer who has a grip on language and often likes to take a romp with novelistic flourishes, particularly when writing for public consumption. Hope that helps.

Thank you my brother/sister. I could not muster any level of indignity on behalf of Professor Gates. None at all. And I like the guy. Just last night, I was starting to half wonder what was wrong with me. Have I been around too long? Gates' outrage and racial profiling charge was not an even fit to me in this instance.

And I know racial profiling exists. I came to know that first hand the night I had to bail my black son out of jail while he was a student on a prestigious state college campus. Offense: Black male, wearing hooded sweatshirt, in street phone booth (way back in the early '90's) after dark near a building occupied by a nervous white woman.

Happens I was on the other end of his call and got to hear the cops and the dog they had with them growl him into submission. All I kept yelling on the other end of the phone like a mad woman was "shut your mouth. shut your mouth. do what they ask. shut your mouth." Black men have been maimed or killed for less "offense" than sassin' a cop who is white or black, truth be told. It's the authority thing as executed in the paramilitary operation known as cops. That's part of Living Black in America. Gates had an out-of-laboratory reality check so now I 'spect this is his authentic, proof positive moment as a disrespected black man in America that we'll get to hear about as long as he draws breath. I say, others can and do everyday, live and fight the legitimate case and manage to go on about their business best they can.

Prof might want to go on out to Martha's Vineyard or Cape Cod a few days and just chill. We are and apparently always will be a society in which all its members are really messed up in the head.