Beyonce was right, I think, to not perform in a country that censored how she would dress for her performance. Good for her.

I don't know if Malaysia's official stance on female performer's outfits reflects the general societal consensus, but if they want to prohibit female performers dressing like whores onstage, so be it.

To each their own.

Personally, I think Beyonce should have the right to dress like a whore when she sings. I also would hope that she and other female performers would choose not to exercise that right.

Thanks for the supportive words. It's all about having personal liberty, but choosing how to exercise that liberty.

While it may not be true that most conservatives are stupid people, most stupid people are conservative, and that's the problem with politics in the U.S. The Republican party has become the political home of the stupid, the ignorant, the paranoid, the bigoted, and the religiously insane. Those kinds of people elect their own to Congress; see Helms, Jesse.

These Republican Congressmen are mostly hateful little bullies, and the nice guy Democrats let them run roughshod over them. Nice guys finish last, you know. Thus, don't expect to see a formal denunciation of Rush Limbaugh.

Harry Reid needs to enroll every last Democrat in a kickass martial arts retreat. Teach them the mindset of fighting back. Nice guys can beat up bullies, but only if they have the will. Right now, most of the Democrats are too nice and too wishy-washy for their own good.

Bottom line: our government is dominated by people with the mindset of stupid 14 year-old boys, the kinds of creeps who steal lunch money from third graders. Until the Democrats learn how to grab those 14 year-olds by the scruff of the neck and read them the Riot Act, the country will continue to suffer, and Rush Limbaugh will remain the clown prince of the bully boys.

How much did you pay Ms. Marx de Salcedo for this college newspaper level crapola? What's the news here: that Americans eat junk? Even Reader's Digest has kicked that story around for ages; I thought Salon was supposed to be a little hipper than that.

Breakfast cereal is garbage. We all know that. There are plenty of healthy alternatives out there. We all know that too.

It's a good thing Salon is free.

Once housing finally goes, what's left, besides the war in Iraq pumping money to the war industry? - Slackie Onassis

That's the problem, Slackie: not much. The question is, while the Iraq War is pumping money into the war industry, i.e., wealthy Republicans, i.e., scumbag war profiteers, what is pumping money into the Iraq War? Now that the housing industry, and the industries it supports, aew going down the toilet, all we're left with to fund this insane war are the financial speculators of Wall Street and borrowing from other countries. The former enrich only themselves, and the latter own more of us every single day.

A financial Hurricane Katrina is heading our way, and we are not prepared at all.

Another language-challenged spoiled rich kid.

"People are going to lose jobs. But you know what - that's OK."

No, it's not okay. The loss of a job can be devastating to indivuduals and families. The people who will lose their jobs as a result of the housing/mortage industry meltdown will be the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. Yes, the nation's economy will *probably* recover, eventually, so if that's all one cares about, I suppose the fact that people will suffer terribly is not important.

Very compassionately conservative way to view things. Breaking eggs to make omelettes and all that.

I appreciate your misanthropy, but if our economy falls apart, those nonhuman animals and nature itself will be among the first to suffer. Just look at Zimbabwe, where the economy is so bad tht people literally cannot afford to feed their pet dogs and are, in some cases, eating them instead.

An economic crisis will increase stress and crime. Children will be abused. Animals will be abused. Anyone weak or vulnerable will be abused. Trees will be chopped down. Wildlife will be poached. Polluting industries will cut corners.

Don't fall for the theory that for things to get better, things must first fall apart, because the real world implications of that will mean a great deal of death, pain, and suffering, and you have no reason to feel confident that you or those you love and care about won't be among the victims.

The answer to your question is no, he can't take it. Like Rush Limbaugh, he's a chickenhawk through and through. Typical Republican blowhard.

Future psychologists will have a field day with early 21st century Republicans. One may as well rename them the Projection Party.

Limbaugh can try to dodge, but his fat ass is too big to hide this time. Despite what his supporters like Byron York of the National Review Online may claim, Limbaugh was disparaging all soldiers who speak out against the Iraq disaster as "phony soldiers." Here's the link for more info on that: http://mediamatters.org/items/200710020011?f=h_top

What is ironic is that Limbaugh is whining about being the victim of distortions and lies, when distortion and lies are what he and his fellow Repugs specialize in. If they were ever to utter an honest word, their tongues would probably erupt into flames.

Contrary to your "obvious" assertion, I followed your link and read York's column. I then went to Media Matters and read their take on it.

I give credence to Media Matters. Rush Limbaugh is, to quote from various others, a lying sack of drug-addled crap. He has zero credibility, on anything.

Do any of you Nader supporters really believe that this article could ever have been headlined, "Sick children left behind. Gore (or Kerry) vetos health insurance program for poor kids?"

Thanks again, Ralph.