The outcry of vitriol against Debra over what should be just common sense only strengthens my opinion that the obesity crisis has gotten out of control. Accusations that pointing out the very obvious, well documented, dangers of obesity is promoting eating disorders or is anti-woman is like saying that the suggestion to wash your hands after going to the toilet is promoting obsessive compulsive disorder. Will you listen to yourselves?!

I have a cousin who is eating herself to death, literally. She is my height (5'7"), and weighs 450 pounds. She is part of a "gang" called the Chubsters and calls herself a BBW (Big Beautiful Woman). She is now immobile and her fellow Chubster sisters bring her cartons of food. This is not feminism. This is not body love. Health is body love. Self respect is feminism. Please stop, stop, STOP justifying your bad behaviours in the guise of "empowerment". It's as bad as saying the war in Iraq is about "freedom".

Lay off Ms. Dickson. Stop shooting the messenger.

First, and as usual, there is no verifiable scientific data to corroborate Ms. Dickerson's assertions. Her perspectives, clearly falling into the realm of a belief system as opposed to serious human study, define her articles as opinions, and not objective reports.

There is no verifiable scientific data correlating obesity and poor health? Is this like the lack of evidence linking smoking and lung cancer? It's truly amazing the levels of denial people can attain to avoid responsibility.

I love that people are taking action and expressing thier outrage over a sensless murder, but really, what will this really do? I think the Left needs to move away from marches and rants. These were the tools of the 60's.

I was moved to tears when I heard of this murder. Indeed, my face was nothing but red as well. I gave to the Global Fund for Women which helps educate marginalized women in these types of countries. Only until women have options and control over their own lives and bodies, will this change occur. We cannot change this from the outside, but we can empower those on the inside to make the changes themselves.

..or is this mad hysteria over appearing racist hurting rather than helping? I believe racism is wrong, but really, when any mention of an offending word is grounds for the complete dismanteling of someone's life, isn't this just the liberal version of "don't ask, don't tell"? I mean, when people actively condoning racisim have to type n- instead of the actual word nigger, there may be a problem.

I have a friend in San Diego who is black and originally from Tennessee. I remember mentioning to her that it must be so much nicer to be in San Diego, one of the reasons being that Southern California tends to be more progressive and less racist. She replied that she preferred Tennessee in that aspect. When I gave her a quizzical glance she said, "Here you don't know who's racist." Of course. Anyone actually professing racism would be drawn and quartered.

First off, I don't think you can change people's minds about another group of people. At best, you can make acting on these sterotypes illegal and hope that person grows up. Censoring expression doesn't stifle the offending viewpoint, it just fans the flame. Second, I think this fear of appearing racist hurts us liberals in that it silences important debates about problems in minority communities. All problems just *must* stem from racism, so no talk of damaging cultural norms in communities is acceptable. It makes an easy scapegoat for pushing difficult problems under the rug.

LW, I don't think you are racist, which is evident by your concern. I think if you mellow out about this ditty, it will go away. This is like fundamentalists and sex. If you believe even having a certain thought in your head is a sin, it will consume you in more and more perverse ways. So go back to your life, and no matter what you do, don't ever EVER think of pink elephants.

So what? I got the vast majority at vintage shops and from friends. The others, ones where my naked foot would go inside sans socks, I got new when they went on sale. I have multiple heels, many boots, gym shoes, various flip flops and sandals, and some fetish platforms (these are just for play). How does this make me shallow? I only own one purse I bought from Target for twenty dollars. Should I feel superior to other women who have several name brand purses? I save my money and spend wisely. Let me allocate my disposable income where I wish.

Diana S.

Texas is teetering on the brink of having that wrath ignited. We're not as ignorant and blind as people think.

Yes, actually, most of Texas is. Did anyone ever consider why they supported the war to begin with? Did anyone wonder what the connection between 9-11 and Iraq was? It's easy to say you no longer support someone once the sham is exposed. It's harder to admit your blind fear caused you to support an immoral war and drag the country into disgrace. MORE kids should be coming home in body bags to Texas. That's what you get for killing out of malice and fear. There is a price for ignorance.