One problem not addressed is the fact that our restriction on high tech exports (intended to prevent spread of high tech that could be used for weapons systems) means that our government overtly prevents export of the very technology China and other want and need.

Of course China manages to buy it anyway, often form EU countries so this policy is ineffective at best.

It is also worthy of note that US tax policy is stacked against having citizens of the US as managers of off-shore subsidiaries because these off-shore worker must pay US income tax as well as local income taxes.

Therefore other countries have the advantage of setting up sales organizatiosn to sell US goods.

I am convinced that ther most romantic gesture I have ever made was purchasing a pizza shaped like a heart.

This was in college and it was my first Valentines Day with a sweetheart. I called our favorite pizza shop and the thought I was crazy. So I called our second-favorite shop (coincidentally named "Valentino's") and they said that could for a small extra fee.

I walked over and picked to pick it up. This shop always showed you your pizza when you picked it up and when I saw it I knew it was perfect. And the guy in the line behind me waiting to order said he wanted one too. Frankly I weas surprised that the folks t Valentino's did not make it an annual special, but as far as I know they didn't.

Unfortunately my roomate/lover/valentine didn't get home until late so it was a little crispy by the time she got home.

Many years later I gave another heart-shaped Pizza.

Someday I'll get one for my wife.

OK, now you know my secret. Good luck with it!

Once again I am reminded why I read Salon. You personify what "real media" should be. In today's information rich world one would think that there would be many places to turn for the combination of serious reporting, thought provoking articles as well as fun entertainment, but alas, this is not the case.

I have been very troubled by the Abu Ghraib torture since I first learned of it. I did not feed on the orginal images, I took a glance at a few and stopped. Nor will I view the new photos you have published because I am physically sickened by what our Goverment has done in our names.

But, unlike the current administration, I don't believe that the truth should be hidden in dark corners - it must be set free no matter how how repugnant it may be. Otherwise there is no freedom.

I would gladly step onto an airliner full of terrorists if that could undo these deeds, or prevent such activities in the future.

On September 11th, 2001 I promised myself that I would not change in the face of terrorism. This was my way of dealing with the shock and hurt that I fealt along with the rest of the nation. It was a matter of standing firm. I never stopped flying, and I have insisted to anyone that would listen that to change our behavoir is to give a victory to the terrorists.

I am repulsed by how others have taken the opposite approach - that "September 11th changed everything" including our liberties and our basic value of human rights that was the core of what we stood for in front of the entire world for over 200 years.

We must confront what we have become, so that we can correct it. To allow ourselves to continue down this path is to hand the terrorists a victory.

Thank you for doing what is right. I hope it wakes of our country.

We need a free press. And the past few years Salon has been an important part of that role that has in too many cases been abdicated by others.

Keep up the good work.

...what's up with seperate security lanes for first class customers? Seems to me that security is supposed to be a government service. So what next, first class flyers won't have to pay tolls on the way to the airport?

Seems absurd, I pay my taxes and I pay for airline tickets. My taxes pay for security and my ticket price pays for appripriate accomodations and travel. Why should the amount I pay for tickets affect my trip through security?

By the way, any progress on screening airplane caterers and cleaners? Seems like we remain focused on passengers while drop the ball elsewhere (including our ports).

While Chimps are much closer to humans biologically, dogs make a pretty good metaphors for humans.

For example, the male dog goes around protecting territory, pissing all over the place and obsessing about rank.

Female dogs can be very, well, "bitchy". A fascinating fact is that two female dogs, when fighting, are more likely to inflict fatal wounds than two male dogs.

While I tend to think (hope) that female politicians will tend to humanize politics, the jury is out. What we have seen so far has proven they are capable and competant, but has not given much evidence for this theory.

Lets hope it is so!

To bad "Commander in Chief" is off the air as it was fun to explore this stuff.

(writer is male)