I'm a long time reader of Salon but have never posted my thoughts on an article until today. I'd like to thank the majority of writers that have posted so far. Your articulate dissection of Shapiro's poorly thought out effort is truly encouraging.

Washington Bureau Chief indeed, it seems Mr. Shapiro should spend more time outside the beltway to avoid falling into the morass of political B.S. surrounding this issue.

Gee Walter, can't you see who's for this bill, and why? It's a cliche but, "follow the money".

I can't really match the well thought out responses that i've read so far, but an immigration reform proposal that would have my support would include, in decending order of importance:

1. Counterfeit proof National Worker's I.D. (with stiff, enforced, penalties for employers)

2. Secure the borders - Pursuing any modification of immigration law without doing this would be ineffectual, and inapropriate.

3. Only after the above were accomplished, could reform of our immigration policy proceed.

One more thing, Salon, please fire Shapiro. The astonishing lack of understanding displayed in this article isn't worthy of Salon.com

Haven't this kids parents sat him down and given him an education about what their attitude toward "drugs" is?

Why is this child allowed to experience anti- Marijuana government propaganda without the balance his parents could have given him.

Give the kid a real drug education. give him the book "From Chocolate to Morphine" by Dr. Andrew Weil. A rational book about the uses, and abuses, of most psychoactive substances.

He could do a lot worse than having a mom who smokes pot.

As another honorable mention, the rousing intro to "Rescue Me" is at the top of the current crop of title sequences. The Von Bondies music, the cinematography and editing, definitely get you pumped, "c'mon!....c'mon!