It depends on what you want out of the date. If you're just looking to get laid, then you can do things like order meat even if you don't really like it, or overlook the fact that your dining partner is indifferent to the cruelty of the veal industry, or pretend you don't notice the anal compulsion of someone's aversion to, say, pickles. Many of us have done these kinds of things when we're feeling horny.

On that other hand, though, if you're looking to begin a meaningful relationship, honesty with yourself and to/from your partner is the best approach.

They're in the South, with a few more in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Kansas.

The 27-30% dead-enders have their strongholds, like like those Baath Party dead-enders over in Eye-Raq.

There aren't enough words in the English language to describe how ignorant your post was. Nobody can tell you that you should not post letters here, but you would be doing sentient folks a lesson by going back to Free Republic or whatever other know-nothing websites you came from.

There aren't enough words in the English language to describe how ignorant your post was. Nobody can tell you that you should not post letters here, but you would be doing sentient folks a favor by going back to Free Republic or whatever other know-nothing websites you came from.

So men who insult their wives are more "likely to engage in "negative mate retention" strategies (like extreme possessiveness or keeping their partner under constant surveillance)."

In other words, guys who act like jerks, act like jerks.

I'm not thoroughly dismissing this study, but common sense tells you that frequent insults fall into the same spousal abuse pot as extreme jealousy, selfishness, and physical abuse.

Now that we have a study showing a link between insults and jealousy (or NMR, for the academics out there), to what practical use can it be made -- aside from publishing, not perishing?

It's good to have someone who expresses healthy skepticism read through my letters with such concern. Would you like to get us a room, too?

Huckabees "Aw shucks, I'm a really nice rightwing nut" might have conned the rubes in the phony baloney straw poll, but Huckabee's chances of becoming President are a big fat zero. Aside from all his other liabilities, all it will take is one commercial reminding people about Huckabee's decision to help obtain a parole for Wayne Dumond, a man who raped a distant cousin of Bill Clintons and hence became a cause celebre for the Free Republic crowd of cretins. Governor Huckabee pandered to those lunatics and eased the way for Dumond's parole. Shortly thereafter, a newly freed Dumond murdered a young woman.

This country cannot afford yet another rightwing religious flake as President. Let Huckabee become President of his local snake worshipping backwoods church.

Even if Rove is off the federal payroll (believe it when it happens), he is still very much a part of George W. Bush. (I'd say that he's Bush's right hand, but really, he's more like Bush's anus).

Did Bush ever stop seeking and/or being given advice from Karen Hughes? Doubtful. Rove is even more important to Bush's existence, and you can bet your last civil right that Rove will be whispering into Bush's ear until that glorious day in January 2009 when we are finally rid of this monstrous administration.

One last thing: Karl Rove is not a genius. Karl Rove is shameless. There is a big difference.

Just wait until they, inevitably, invent a system where you can experience 100 percent virtual reality: touch, sight, hearing, smell, taste. The mainstream businesses will sell skydiving VR experiences, or NASCAR racing, or climbing Mt. Everest, but the real action will be the porn industry. Want to experience an absolutely realistic sex romp with your favorite porn star? Here you go: you can rent or own, depending on your wants.

It will happen. The question for the rest of us who are married or in significant relationships is, will this constitute cheating?

Broadsheet, ask us all in a decade or so.

These Republicans and their media worshippers like Sexually Ambiguous Matthews are ALL THE SAME ... closet-cases, authoritarian cultists, creeps of all kinds.

Paging Roy Cohn, or even the architects of the Third Reich. These people come and go, but they are always the same.

I used to wonder why the GOP is so hateful, but then it occurred to me: the GOP is hateful because it is the political party of the hateful and fearful. There's a lot of them out there (a majority? Perhaps). We will be stuck with them forever. The thing to do is to reduce their ranks, and for that, we need to improve civilization.

Yes, "Strange Days," which was also done in 1983 in "Brainstorm," Natalie Wood's last movie (Q: what kind of wood doesn't float?). But to be honest, I first learned about the concept from a pretty good SF novel called "When Gravity Fails," by George Alec Effinger. In that novel, people have ports surgically implanted into their noggins, so that you can insert of chip of your favorite VR experience. The problem arises that sadists record the torture of children and animals for their fellow sadists. Sadly, I can see that happening too in this lovely world of ours.

My everlovin' wife and I discussed this scenario, and she feels it's no different than jerking off in the shower to thoughts of [fill in the blank]. The problem comes when you overdo it and neglect your s.o. I pointed out that VR sex cannot replicate a spontaneous and loving relationship, but then realized that with A.I. progessing as it will, that too will be available. Future generations are going to have to grapple with this.

Lastly, sorry, but Juliette Lewis wins out over Angela Bassett, at least for me. Those eyes, those lips, that bratty attitude...