It seems like Mary has done some pretty shitty things, no question. But what's going on with you, LW? You sound pretty judgmental. Mary is "completely single," "trawls" for men, leaves you outside with "whores and crackheads" (or was it "crackheads and whores"?), and treats her less affluent friends out to nice evenings, which you appear to interpret as whoring, likewise.

Previous posters talking about how the post-college years are hard on friendships are right, but still. I am struck by the fact that you won't even bother talking to her about what's bothering you because you just "know" she will refuse to admit anything's wrong. Do you know that? And even if she does, do you know that she won't take in some of what you say, even if she doesn't admit it? I mean, I don't know this girl. But people who consider themselves real friends, and not just social buddies, are willing to talk about real things. Maybe Mary is treating you like a social acquaintance because you're acting like one.

Bad luck, LW. Cary's advice is pretty good, but even if you don't take it, it will it will it will get better in time.

The prospect of taking the bar is not a good parallel to the day to day routine of practicing law, so I don't think the advice to the LW that she not become a lawyer is necessarily valid. However, it doesn't really matter. The issue in front of her right now is the bar exam, and everything behind it. LW, you don't have to end up practicing law just because you pass the bar. You can do any number of things with a law degree. Passing the bar does not automatically feed you into a life you may not want. It only means that you've passed the bar. Skipping out at the last minute isn't about procrastination anymore--there's something else going on. Find someone to help you figure out what.

Bet it's not the moms.

Based on the letter, I think the LW is 14 years old or functionally challenged. But taking it seriously, because the more challenged among us must also be taken seriously, the LW is a cheater, too--she is cheating on her best friend. This is fundamentally not the same as being in an affair with a man or woman whose partner is a stranger to you. That kind of wrong at least leaves an opening for sympathy. This pathetic sitch? Not.

Honestly.

a person willing to take that advice wouldn't need it in the first place.

What should you do, LW, providing you're not a 14-yr-old faking this letter, which honestly, you sound a bit like? You should continue to cheat on your best friend with her worthless fiance until she catches on to both of you and can get herself and her children as far away as possible.

need to get the fuck out of.

Not that I think most people aren't idiots--they are. But I have a feeling many of the responses like those you posted are Republiplants trying to stir up, you guessed it, outrage.

Embarrassing? Shameful? I'm kind of okay with that.

I don't mean this in a bad way, I mean this in a good way. I would have gone apeshit for AG dolls if they had been around when I was young. (Given that I would rush home after school to cuddle my cabbage patch doll, Simone...)

Sigh, yes, AG encourages "consumerism"--unless you're making dolls from corncobs or something, good luck trying to avoid THAT. And so what if the dolls have spawned an unholy industry of twee musicals and doll-themed tea shops? Call me when the dolls and their child mommies are getting matching bikini waxes.

I can remember a few times he didn't. In any case, his campaign sure didn't. I don't think I understand the context of this discussion. What did Obama gain by pretending that he bit his tongue? He really does need a certain number of Hillary supporters to win--and he'll probably get them--but it would be nice if voting for him could feel a little less like vomiting. (Don't worry, Obama people, I am now an Obama person, and nothing's going to change that. Nobody had to twist my arm or even try real hard.)

Or people who would ordinarily vote for a Republican, anyway. Not all--I recognize a couple of names as consistent and seemingly authentic voices, who are raising important questions. But November is a long way away, and anger, if not fed constantly, tends to fade.

And less of a politician. Bet that's part of the problem. Also part of the problem...? Let me think...oh, yes: sexism. I imagine that as a black woman, she has her own razor-thin line to walk. Good luck, Michelle.

As I say when I'm drunk, you can be fat if you're pretty or ugly if you're thin, but it's a cold, hard world out there if you're not pretty OR thin.

I like your idea that the two ladies were Republican saboteurs in the first place. I have been flagrantly assuming anyone whose posts I rilly rilly don't like is a republiplant, mostly to keep from losing my mind. Also, I half expect a manufactured terrorist attack shortly before the election to ensure that McCain wins. So obviously, I am open to believing low-down conspiracies of this kind.

However, I'm not convinced that these two women aren't just real-life democrats who also happen to be whiny and happy to play the victim. People can be bad without really being BAD, you know?