The terrorists have won--no doubt about it. I'm all for security, but the draconian security we now face as passengers is insane. Also, it's obvious that the so-called sophisticated machines that cost millions of dollars are useless. Apparently, they don't detect anything. The new solution to airline security are not to trust the machines or even inspections, but not to allow anything at all to be carried onto a plane. The next logical step is not allowing passengers to board in order to have complete security.

Most of my flying is international and I like to carry toiletry items in my carryon luggage in case my flight is disrupted along the way, which has happened on more than a couple of occasions. I also like to shave and refresh myself on the plane itself. These new ridiculous rules don't allow for it. Airlines will most likely have to offer toiletry kits to economy passengers in addition to its business and first class passengers. Of course, if that were to happen, airline tickets would once again go up.

I used to take impulsive trips, but no longer. I dread going through all the inspections before I fly so I limit that experience as much as possible. There has to be a way to have effective security without making the passenger suffer.

I had Lasik surgery and had all the symptoms described in the article. They diminished over the course of a year and now I see better than I could have ever hoped to see. I don't need glasses or contacts for anything because I had one eye adjusted for reading and the other for far vision--I can't tell now which eye does what. All I know is that I see perfectly now from near blindness before the surgery.

The point is that I knew I would have temporary bad vision symptoms following Lasik surgery; I took care of my eyes by using drops until the symptoms disappeared and they did disappear. I didn't panic or blame anyone for my interim problems. I certainly wouldn't have blamed a friend for suggesting the surgery. I wouldn't have any surgery based upon a friend's suggestion anyway. I take total responsibility for my decisions as the writer should do.

It's only been a year and half since "Angry" had the surgery. His problems as described do not sound permanent. He should get some drops, be a bit patient and quit feeling sorry for himself.

I live in Thailand and listen to Thai music that is relatively new to me. There are many variations of Thai music. One music type is called Molam that sounds to me like music only grandparents would like. It's traditional Thai country music--not remotely the same as American country music. It's quite surprising to me to find that nearly all young people including teenagers go crazy over this type of music in exactly the same way that western teens go crazy for rock music. These same Thai people cannot get into Western popular music in any of its variations in the same way that I can either. It has been mystifying to me why Thais do not like the same music I like and why I'm not thrilled about the music they like. This article made me understand.

Why doesn't anyone realize that terrorism after 9/11 is being caused by the present administration. They say that if we "cut and run" in Iraq that it will cause chaos in the Middle East, that terrorist organizations will take over. It wasn't that way before the Iraq invasion and occupation.

Who do you think caused this problem? It was the Republican administration of George W. Bush. They have destroyed our reputation in the world. They have destroyed America. They have created the problem they say will be worse if the Democrats take control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Why doesn't anyone call them on it? Nothing could be worse than it is now.

I'm sure that if the Democrats had been in control after 9/11, there would be no Iraq and there would be no terrorism disaster in the world. The Republicans and specifically George W. Bush are the reason, definitely not the solution, for terrorism after 9/11.

It's outrageous that something as trivial as Kerry stumbling over his words can cause such a political storm. Has everyone in the US lost their collective minds? Bush knows that Kerry wasn't talking about American troups--a total moron would know that--but Bush and other Republicans are trying to use the blunder to get votes. Are they that hard up?

I'm losing all respect for the American political system. There is no longer any decency in the process. Fiction is spoken as fact and truth doesn't matter. If this gaff makes a difference in the outcome of the election, America deserves what it gets. We've entered the twilight zone of politics.

Speaking of military jokes, I remember this joke from my time in the Army:

Question: What is the difference between the Army and the Boy Scouts?

Answer: The Boy Scouts have adult leadership.

There has to be a bit of humor when you're in a stressful situation, even though it's not at all funny.