While I'm not surprised at the numbers of Republicans being indicted, investigated or incarcerated, I would like to know how many Democrats and/or Independents are facing similar circumstances. Knowing those numbers may very well help feed my sense of moral superiority. ;-)

What I find very interesting is the growing number of novels and short stories that appear in the "literary" section of the bookstore that are obviously fantasy stories. The Time Taveler's Wife is one fine example, as well as just about everything by the "magical realist" schools.

Women reading, writing, and discussing speculative fiction isn't anything new. Every year since 1977, a convention called WisCon has been held in Madison, Wisconsin. WisCon was the first, and remains the leading Feminist science fiction and fantasy convention, although there are now similar conventions held around the world. Women and men get together every Memorial Day weekend to discuss issues of feminism, gender, race, and class. And just plain good writing from across the science fiction, fantasy, and horror fields.

This year is the 30th anniversary. Find out more information at the WisCon website: www.wiscon.info.

When President Select Bush took office, most of us liberals figured that, at worst, he would be the "compassionate conservative" he had claimed to be. Remember, Bush didn't act like Bush in his first campaign either.

But we learned.

We learned that the conservatives (or perhaps Conservatives or even Neocons) in this country are all about disregarding traditions, precedents, and even laws as long as it means an increase in their power. We learned that conservatives have no problem with spinning, obfuscation, and even outright lying if it means they can make sway more people to their side, despite ones own best interests. We learned that, once in power, the conservatives made sure they stayed that way with K-Street Projects, rigged voting machines, and voter suppression.

Here's hoping that the Canadian system will be able to recover from "teaching the Liberals a lesson" before Canadians learn the same lessons we did.

The works of James Tiptree, Jr often explored gender in ways that were certainly remarkable in her own day, and often just as remarkable today. Back in the early 90s, an award was created with the name of James Tiptree Jr for those works in any year that do the most to explore gender. See http://www.tiptree.org/ for information on the award as well as the best reading list possible.

Cary:

I thought your answer eloquent and beautiful. Too bad it was completely wrong, based on a fallacy perpetrated by the patriarchy to ensure the "chattel" of children are sure to be the husband's.

Most people don't know the "wall" is there, but they would have if the talked about it with their spouse. Our culture locks (most) people into a binary mentality, as if love were finite and one person could fulfill all anyone could need for as long as they need. The serial monogamy of our culture proves just how wrong this approach and belief system is.

Depending on where you go for your statistics, the vast majority of people -- not a childish few, not the left overs from the Summer of Love, but the majority -- in established couples will have daliances with someone outside the couple. Others will simply simmer and resent those who do, finding their own desires walled off (that would be those name calling in the other letters). Some do wait, so unhappy with with the strictures against finding love or fulfillment outside the couple that they will break the marriage and leave the person who has been friend and confidant and lover, just because they are no longer satisfied with what one single person can give. they can see no way to have both spouse and lover without "cheating" so they give up the one in hopes that the next time is better, the next person will be the "true soulmate." How sad that good couples have to end because of the belief in the binary bullshit of our culture.

Not Moving On should talk to his wife and his sweetie. Perhaps one at a time or, since they have all become friends, perhaps all in one room, and they should be allowed to figure out for themselves where that wall exists. Non-monogamus relationships can work, but it takes great communication and an openness, an honesty, and a respect for the other people involved. Love is an infitite resource, not a zero sum game. The word used for this kind of relationship is polyamorous. Google it and then talk about this approach with your wife and your sweetie.

Rush says "the left" put up Fox just so there would be no debate on the issue, and then goes on to personally attack Fox. Obviously, the stem cell issues can (and are) being debated. As is Cindy Sheehan's question about why are we still in Iraq. As is the 9/11 widows saying that Bush has failed to protect us from terror. What the right seems to confuse is the ability to debate the issues, with coming face to face with their lousy personal attacks.

Asking if stem cells will cure Parkinson's is good to ask. Just don't mock Fox while doing it. Asking if we should continue in Iraq is a good question. Just don't call Cindy Sheehan a whore or "porn addict" while doing it. Asking if GW Bush is the right man to be managing the response to 9/11 is a fair question. Just don't say that the widows of men who died in the Towers are happy they are dead.

It amazes me that the Limbaugh's and Coulter's of this world are so compassion impaired that they can't recognize the difference between discussion of an issue on its merits and personally attacking people who they don't agree with.