It is absolutely not "worth it" to exchange prisoners for Carroll. Her captors are terrorists. We should not ever negotiate with terrorists, period. It does not matter who they take - they are all someone's daughter, son, father, brother, mother, etc.

Once we negotiate once, we have lost our leverage.

Are we going to read about your other contributing writers' buddies in future "articles" as well, Salon.com? Or just semi-famous ones?

If Cintra Wilson threatened to never write for Salon again if this "interview" hadn't been published, I'd say let her go...

I wasn't a huge fan of this story, but I always like to read Ann Bauer's writing because she lives in Minnesota and describes things I can see.

Self-defense techniques that include martial arts or other bodily contact are great - but only as a last resort. To do them properly, you have to get close to your attacker - the same problem with a knife or stun gun. The best thing to do in a dangerous situation is get away, but if that isn't possible, a gun is second-best. You don't have to be close to use it, and the sight of it often keeps people at bay.

I'm glad to see this trend increase - there is a woefully small amount of gear available for women, especially ones who wish to carry a concealed weapon. Holsters don't fit us the way they fit men, and I've seen a grand total of three women's handbags that have a gun compartment. I hope capitalism works in this case. Go market go!

...and even if it did, it would hardly benefit anyone. Do not be distracted by this.

Were those even the runners posing?

The people in the pictures were models, not the running club.

What a fantastic article - classic Salon. Thanks, Mr. Manjoo!

If I can bring my pet to work, they can bring their baby to work. If not, then they can't. I'm not saying a child is a puppy, but the inconvenience is certainly similar.

And I agree.

(though it's adamantium, not adamantine)

In the West, there is a pro-Jew slant. In the rest of the world, a pro-Arab. I don't believe it's possible for an article to be fair or balanced - the author's religion, country, or upbringing always gets in the way. Yet that is not a reason to discount factual information as non-existant or somehow less worse than it seems. And the commentators who shriek about the unmentioned atrocities committed by Palestine because atrocities committed by Israel are mentioned - please. If you hit someone and they call you on it, do not bring up them hitting you several years ago in defense. And please, not everything that calls Israel on its atrocities is anti-Semitic, so keep that card in the deck.

Each side must be responsible for their actions. Each side commits atrocities daily. Each side is blinded by their zeal, by their leaders, and by their religions. This beautiful tragedy perfectly illustrates the concept of blind faith, and shows the folly of zealotry.

Dear Pete,

Not all married women want to be pregnant.

Love,

Reality

I started out in sync with this article - I think the "Snakes on a Plane phenomenon" is hilarious, and I went to the opening of X3 along with a theater full of other 20-somethings, and indeed, at a glimpse of the preview, the place erupted. It was fantastic.

But the rest? Damn. Way to bring a girl down with pointless pap.

...but kudos for talking to Dr. Miles. I respect him greatly, and he is an absolute genius.

Even if Democrats (as a party, I mean) could get solidly behind supporting stem cell research (and of course I think they should...I think everyone should), it wouldn't be enough to change many minds. People who "always" vote one way do so because they don't think or carefully consider. Yes, there are some exceptions, but not many. Most of these people who know someone who could benefit from stem cell research also know someone who's had an abortion - so are they pro-choice all of a sudden? Doubt it.

People will shape their support around their beliefs, not change their beliefs.

Anyway, back to the movie - I thought it was weak and a waste of time. The plot was strung together very very loosely, and while Scarlett Johansson has nice skin and perky breasts, her acting abilities are awfully limited. Thank goodness for Hugh Jackman, who provided some confounding eye candy (what in the world did he find to love in Sondra so rapidly?). Overall, yarg.

As disturbed as I was when Cary tossed out "pussy," I'm more disturbed by these letters. "Down there"? "Hooha"? Are you uneducated 5-year-olds? Get comfortable with using grown-up words like "vagina" or "labia," please.

"Force" him to cheat? No. Nobody, with the exception of those held at gunpoint, is ever FORCED to cheat. That's a decision the cheater ultimately makes alone.

So much better than I expected - I thought it would be cheesy Hollywood "horror/action" crap, especially after seeing the previews before the movie started. But it was so hilariously, wonderfully bad (the Snake-o-vision! the germophobe rapper! Keenan beating Randy!). This was a well-done awful movie. I loved every minute of it.

I think the author was trying to make a point that Christians wouldn't necessarily like it if their schools were run under Islam instead of Judeo-Christianity, but girls wearing burqas and not being allowed education past the sixth grade?? Not true.

"The Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees workers in many companies 12 weeks of paternity leave. Why aren't male college athletes entitled to the same?"

Because playing college sports is not a job. Period.

And, broadsheetfan, who said Butler's kid was a mistake (other than you)? Nowhere did I see Angelina's conception/birth attributed to "mistake" (or even accident), and it's very rude of you to imply that. Shame on you.