LW, I think it's fair to ask your mum about the money. Most parents try to treat their children fairly, and presumably your parents set aside money for weddings for all their daughters. Given that you do not have immediate plans for marriage and you do have immediate plans for higher education and home ownership, I think it's okay to ask. Ask her nicely, put in all the caveats: I don't want you to give me the $ if it will cause financial hardship, I don't want the $ if you really want it earmarked only for a wedding, etc. etc.

For all the people saying the LW needs to grow up -- that's a harsh judgement. I don't think the LW sounds whiny or childish.

I really think it's important for parents to treat their children equally/equitably if possible. Of course circumstances change with times -- but the LW sounds like a person who would not ask this of her mother, if it caused her distress.

Go ahead and ask nicely - but be prepared to let it go if the answer is no.

but her writing is mediocre/bad at best.

I read Bengali -- she's a mediocre writer.

I just checked out Hillary's answer on Video Dog. With the quality of the video, I just couldn't tell whether HRC was tearing up or not. Frankly, to me it seems like she's losing her voice (from speaking so much). Also, if she did tear up, it was not about her loss in the Iowa primary, but at the true worry and fear that this country is headed in the wrong direction. And if a leader can't cry for where we've just been and where we'll end up with the wrong leader, then what can they cry about?

My husband (back then friend) sent me a copy of the Wind in the Willows (illustrated by Ernest Shephard).

Portlander, I'm so sorry about your wife. I hope you find comfort in memories of past valentine's days.

Also, in the picture, the fresh blood was disturbing, but the stains behind the man lying on the floor -- it looked like a lake of blood was cleaned up.

I have no idea how we're ever going to regain our reputation.

The preference for girls is especially marked in some states. So for the 10th time, I ask Broadsheet writers to look into the variations among Indian states. Why is the sex ratio fine in Bengal and a disaster in Punjab. Broadsheet brings this story up at least once a year -- I know we brown people are terrible human beings -- no exceptions!

From my personal experience -- when I found out I was having a boy, I cried for 3 days straight. I had always wanted a girl. I wouldn't trade my son for a 1000 girls, but having only one child, I still feel sad when I see girls his age or friends have a daughter.

I like the points that you make about Obama and Hillary having different groups of people that gravitate towards them. However, (I paraphrase) I believe you said something about neither one of them had arguments that could win over the other group. I disagree. If the war in Iraq or the warmongering with Iran is a concern for people then I think they would lean towards Obama. The media is spinning Clinton as the "blue-collar" candidate. I'm not sure I understand why. Sen Clinton was born to an affluent Republican family, is a graduate of Yale law school and her most recent tax return showed a family income of $109 million. I don't see how she is a representative of working class people (any more than Reagan or McCain). In terms of thinking about the economy, I'm not sure that I see why Sen Clinton would be more adept at solving these problems that Sen Obama. Pres Clinton did much to hurt the long-term prospects of lower income Americans through his support of NAFTA and changes to welfare. His wife failed to bring universal health coverage to US Citizens.

Also, to focus on the economy at the expense of focussing on the war is short-sighted. The costs associated with supporting disabled veterans among other long-term costs will be a drain on the US economy for many years to come. Yet Sen Clinton has repeatedly threatened to involve the US in yet another war front with Iran ("... I would obliterate them..").

When Bill Clinton ran for office in 1992, I had wished Hillary was running instead. As a young woman, I felt that she was a wonderful role model. But her husband's center-right presidency, her votes on Iraq and Iran have left me disillusioned. I understand that some people can't be swayed. But for the people who are following the two most important election issues, and keeping an open mind -- I think Sen Obama is a much more palatable candidate. It's just that many Clinton supporters (at least here on Salon) seem to have a visceral hatred of Sen Obama and his supporters and no rational argument will sway them.

I realize this is the latest epithet for people who might actually pick up a book now and then and may think for themselves, but I can't resist. Check out this URL:

http://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/products

Not only do they sell lattes, but they sell lite lattes! I'm sure that people using the term latte liberals aren't imagining them getting their coffee at Dunkin Donuts. FYI: the demographic that this term is referring to is probably making their coffee at home -- cheaper, use better beans, less garbage for the environment (that I'm protecting by driving around smugly in my Prius!)

After many years as a loyal Salon subscriber, this commentary has sent me over the edge. Ms Walsh, your magazine used to have such interesting a nuanced views on race, sex, gender. Lately, all I've seen is veiled racism in your posts, on Broadsheet, in the letter thread. I give up.