I actually like Huckabee as a person. If we have to suffer another Republican, I think we could do far worse (although his yammerings about abortion and gays would keep me from ever really supporting him). EXCEPT. Believing in evolution should be a prerequisite of anybody making a serious bid for president. I can't believe it's even a question. How seriously embarrassing for us that he is a real candidate! Why are people laughing at Kucinich and his UFOs, when creationism is so much more ridiculous?

But I think this is probably just a matter of taste. Some people think it's appropriate to send "moving" stories that end with a threat, and some people got over chain letters after reading Christopher Pike in 6th grade. Not my taste, but okay, if you want to embarrass yourself...If your boss isn't an idiot otherwise, you are probably okay.

For once, Christian groups aren't frothing at the mouth over something totally ridiculous (i.e. Harry Potter). The trilogy really is anti-god. Not just anti-religion, anti-god. I am sorry for all you others who will miss out on this incredible surprise, because it is ballsy as hell and I'm grateful I got to experience it as a progression of "oh yawn, another 'follow your heart to god' theology" to "well, he definitely isn't a fan of organized religion, but..." to "oh my god, this really is about god." Awesome. (I don't capitalize "god," even when I'm referring to just one, because I am a superstitious, culture-bound kind of athiest. Rational, I know.)

The movie is a different story, as I guess it's been sanitized. That's fine in the first movie, but what is the third one going to be about? There is literally nothing left if you take out the anti-religious content. One wonders if it will ever get made, given the response so far.

You guys, we really don't know whether dad is mentally ill or abusive or whatever. I thought it was kind of sweet that no matter what, he just kept plugging away at his hobby. Other people seem to see that, as well as Dad's reaching out for feedback, as evidence of pathology. Well, maybe. But that seems a bit premature to me. By all means, LW, use some of the good advice people have given here. If your dad can't accept it, then that's his problem and you're basically off the hook (we can't be responsible for other people's irrational behavior). But isn't it something that Dad has something to get him up every day? Let him be a bad writer--it hasn't stopped him yet.

I'm totally sympathetic--I have one of those in my family, too. But you may be catching flashes and seeing a whole picture that's not there. If you're right, the LW will recognize it and perhaps feel better. If his dad isn't your dad, the other letters might help.

Fetboy, Janice Dickinson's father was a pedophile...whatever she may or may not have done to shorten/fail to extend his life, I would think you would approve.

Also, she is a great entertainer, which is what she is paid to do these days. I sort of love Tyra Banks, but the woman tends to take it a bit too seriously.

Just like many Broadsheet readers! Can't really argue that reading the letters following Broadsheet posts is a less valid form of entertainment than a little America's Next Top Model at the gym.

I wonder if people who are freaked out by dolls just didn't enjoy playing with them when they were young and therefore can't see their appeal without some intellectual anxiety. I can only speak for myself with any confidence, but I liked playing with dolls in a very uncomplicated way that I am fairly certain had no bearing on my ideas about womanly perfection. Pretending a doll is your friend or your baby is just something some kids like. I have long grown out of this for myself, although I still like to sit down with my nieces and have a go at Barbie's wardrobe.

If AG dolls had been around when I was young, I would have been CRAZY for them. I'm crazy for them now! When I go in to get things for my nieces, I want to buy everything in the store (I definitely don't). I am not excessively consumerish, so this attraction is saying something.

People who have had dolls long enough for them to age might also have something to say about their supposed "perfection." Dolls get grimy, nicked, and busted even when they're not intentionally destroyed. Plastic beauty fades, baby.

I don't think death is always a tragedy, and I don't think suicide is always the wrong choice. But I think it is the wrong choice for you. I think you know that, or you wouldn't be writing Cary. Your despair is a sign that you haven't given up. In addition to whatever good advice you'll get here, I also suggest something very simple. Rent Michael Apted's "Up" series--you know, 7 Up, 7+7, 14 Up, etc. What they show is that life gets better. Even when it's bad--and it can get bad--it's worth living. Try it.

Yeah, I do that. I assume that most people don't notice, and the ones that do think either a) she's too lazy to hem her pants with a needle and thread or b) she doesn't know how to hem her pants with a needle and thread. And they're both right.