"As the SNL "Weekend Update" people might put it: "You allowed your mother and Aretha Franklin to upstage you at the Inauguration? They wore hats - you didn't. REALLY?"

Well, some of us African-American women don't wear hats because they sweat our curls out. And they can be hell on one's peripheral vision. :)

"The church parking lots are filled with ladies in amazing headgear ranging from the classically elegant to the amusingly outrageous. (The comic strip "Curtis" sometimes satirizes this fashion parade and is pretty spot-on.) So I imagine that Ms. Obama has a bit of familiarity with the "crown culture" of her background."

Heh--my grandmother had a gorgeous lot of church hats she wore during her years in New Jersey. However, she liked wearing hats; her daughter (and granddaughter)...don't. :)

"Imagine the uptick to the economy if our First Lady and her daughters were to adorn their lovely tresses with the products of the millinery industry! And I've said it before and I'll say it again - EVERY woman can look beautiful in a hat, it she'll only give it a chance."

A style worn by a woman who isn't comfortable with it isn't stylish--it's just uncomfortable-looking. As well, when one is on-the-move a lot, a hat is unfortunately just one more thing out of a million you have to keep track of...and some folks need to travel light. ;)

"He was in love with someone."

And their mutual love of status and looking wealthy fed each other's delusions of grandeur, which is how they got into this fix.

...explains all those annoying NYT articles about insufferable rich SAHMs we've been subjected to lo these past eight years: SAHM-hood as status symbol. Sure, Mrs. Andrews worked, but it's plain the lifestyle she regarded as the most high-status and befitting a now-wealthy was that of J. Crew/KidsGap housewife. Yeesh.

...and a terrific article. Andrews admitted that the rush of being "able" to lay his hands on half-a-million dollars--the feeling that he was a Master of the Universe--was the start of his downfall. And his attitude is _exactly_ why the press supported Bush and kissed up to the rich...because they all wanted to be part of the uber-wealthy class so desperately they sacrificed their integrity and competence--and this country's future--to do it.

"Isn't the damage already done? He's separated and not there. That changed things for his kids forever. Would staying and jacking them around with his passivity, waffling, and lack of commitment be worse than leaving?"

And how good would it be for the kids if he felt forced to stay--and subtly took his resentment and martyrdom out on them? Should his kids' only model of a marital relationship (one that will affect how they deal with marriage) be one of sulking, resentment, anger, and isolation? Is an immature father who doesn't want to be there really better than divorced parents with a chance to live happier lives?

And you are thinking of leaving her because the ol' sizzle just isn't there anymore? I would ask exactly what you mean when you say you no longer have passion for her, but as other posters have noted, you middle-age-crazy guys are usually all the same. "No passion" means "wife has gained a few pounds" or since she's the one doing most of the kid/housework while you mess around, she's "nagging and boring and just no fun, darnit. And she makes me feel as old as I am--a cardinal sin." I disagree with Cary here--I think you should divorce. It's a good bet your wife is less-needing of your oh-so-necessary companionship and security than you think, and since you obviously don't care for her, why live in a mutual deep freeze. She and the kids can do much, much better.

Not only is this column worthless spin, it's obvious Wingnut cares more about ladling condescension on us too-dumb-to-be-rich-like-him peon that he does about researching the issues. And debating those issues honestly--hell, that's not even under consideration. This is just one long, useless "fuck you" to the rabble as far as he's concerned--so why is SALON paying for this and inflicting it on us?

>It sounds like some Michael Chricton novel where evil doctors are going around abuducting and euthanizing anyone who complains about the medical care. "Complaints? Yes, just step in here and fill out this form, oh and don't mind the syringe..."<

You sure Crichton didn't already write that novel--or was about to? ;)