Cary's advice is great, as usual. I have another idea to add to his. Find something you can teach and share with those kids. I had two step children, a boy and a girl. The little girl I taught to swim, since I used to be a swim coach. Just the two of us used to go to the pool during the week, and I would teach her to swim. I used to read to her all the time as well. The boy I used to ride BMX bikes with. I would take him to a local track, he could watch me wreck, and we would have a great time.

For a family activity we used to all gather round the stereo at night before bed, and we would rock out and dance. I introduced these kids to all types of music. We covered everything from Soul to Punk- and there is nothing like watching some kids bounce around to The Ramones. It became something we all looked forward to.

So perhaps you can find some age appropriate activities that you can share. That might lead to friendship and perhaps love one day. I remember loving my step-dad, and I remember loving these kids. It is possible.

Jeffrey must not like restrictions against "hate speech" since they make it harder for him to insult people's sexuality. He still managed to make an effort.

It has always been the self righteous right who has fought against free speech. They have fought against any words they don't like, ideas that do not support their limited religious views, and any criticism against their leaders- political or religious. They were also the first people to suggest suicide to a president- remember "Kevorkian for White House Doctor" bumper stickers? Neither hypocrisy nor evolution is taught in red state I imagine.

The girl's shirt was in bad taste, and was probably a bit offensive. Did it require a man to act like a teacher's pet who has spotted somebody passing notes in class? I don't think so. That man surely could feel all self-righteous and superior in front of his wife for the entire flight, which was probably what his fragile ego needed. Of course, she probably thought he was acting like an idiot.

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This is a reporter who exposed corruption in our government at the highest level. By doing so he made a name, a career, and a reputation for himself. Now he ruins it all by protecting corruption at the highest levels of government. By being scared of losing what he had, he seems to have lost it all. Fear is a powerful emotion, but it certainly not an excuse.

Whenever I read a Burroughs' book, I feel like I am in a bad AA meeting where everybody is trying to be important, and one up each other, by telling you how bad their life was. The yarns get longer and the truth stretched, but in the end I do not believe a word anybody says. (ANd yes, there are good AA meetings and bad AA meetings.)

I like this part of the new design.