I suppose I've been aware of Ann Coulter for quite a few years, but don't really know how and why she originally became known to me and the rest of us. Not really interested in googling her name or checking Salon's archives - perhaps there have been in-depth articles that speak to when and how she lept into public view.

One has to think for a moment... here is a human being who expects to make a positive impact on popular opinion. Perhaps she wants to convert those on "other sides" to her way of thinking - wants to deliver messages to consolidate and package her viewpoint so that the public understands and appreciates all that she assumes she is conveying?

And how's that working out for you, Ann? Sadly, in some ways I guess it's working ok - did you notice (in the video) there was some white guy holding up a sign asking Ann to marry him?

As earlier posters have said, why oh why would she elect to go about this mission using an ugly, controversial, "I spit on you and your ilk" type of way? This is not using your intelligence and incisive logic to forward your message; rather, this is bullying in it's ugliest form.

Who could have possibly reinforced her methodology as being appropriate? Not meaning her connections since her celebrity status - she surely has agents/publicists/yes-men and women who cheer her on - I mean from childhood?

Sheesh.

But just to add a note - that video of John Edwards poking and prodding his hair for long long minutes - when it already had all of one inch of weather-man-do to mess with - was pretty much an exercise in fooltility. But heck, I do that, too! :o(

LW, I sense there may be a little more to your news and information analysis than what some readers are seeing as the local violence hypes and that ilk of local broadcasting and newspaper articles.

Perhaps you're worrying about the future of the Earth, and wondering what kind of world, and country, your lad will be living in as he approaches young adulthood and beyond.

Will your son's country indeed become the next failed Empire? Ruminating on the future of our nation and we, the people, scares the heck out of me more than becoming tomorrow morning's pesky traffic fatality... you know, the one wherein your radio announcer helpfully tells you to avoid the left lanes on I-95.

After you regale your son with Winnie-the-Pooh and Jaberwocky et al, make sure he starts learning a bit about history, nations, and how to be a good community and world citizen.

Since it's hard to not recommend books, (sorry), make sure that by the time he's in 4th or 5th grade, he reads (or you read together) Bill Bryon's "Made in America" - that will be a truer history of this country than anything he'll learn in his social studies classes.

Not qualified to talk about dealing with your painfully-full love of your child... beyond encouraging you to continue to let him see you and feel you; and maybe you should spend your time and efforts plotting and planning how to PREVENT him from becoming that sullen 16-year old!

Best regards.

I don't believe I've ever caught a Cary column this early, when there are just a handful of letters accumulated... but this has been fun.

I thought the LW had a point of sorts, but the richness and variety of the letters people have written thus far has been lovely. Especially the point re: bandying about the word "green", when it has the same etymological verity as "carbon", in this whole context.

Just to let y'all (plural, of course) know, I'm writing an article about the sweetness of messing up words... it's called "Wallah! I've found my nitch!".

And if you don't know how to pronounce a word, Say It Loud!

I enjoyed the article and the chance to get another look at Michelle...

But I thought the video of Rebecca Traister would include some clips of Michelle's speeches, or otherwise introduce video that her written piece didn't include. Instead, it sounded so familiar...

Like when I want to hear the CNET Editor's Review of a new laptop, where they show you where the USB ports are and all in all, this is a great little device if you're looking for xyz?

I don't mean this as a negative comment because the article gave me lots to ponder.

Joan & Rebecca, maybe rethink the format & content of the video intro piece?

Hugs.

The more I hear Hillary's tone in what she brings to her campaign, the more I hear a tired, choked-off declaration that "I'm entitled to this, dammit."

I do NOT think she's got a special entitlement due to her stewardship as first lady, where she was a side-line personage and not a decision maker; and her background prior to that does not appear to be as able & marked as Samantha Power.

I'd never gotten to know Röyksopp (from one of the earliest Geico cavemen adverts).

Who actually cringes when they hear a song they adore, just because it's playing in the background of a tv commercial?

Selling out? How about selling up... making their music accessible to some who'd never know about it otherwise.

Who's zoomin' who? as Aretha might say.