You would have think someone of importance to our world has died -- like the Dalai Lama or something. Four major stories in Salon and 13 smaller stories! I have felt lately that Salon is turning into a reflection of our impoverished American culture, focusing on its obsession with celebrity, ridiculous events and phony conflicts.

Michael Jackson was a sad, sad man. He deserves a brief goodbye, acknowledging his talents and contribution to the world of music.

But please spare us this insane sensationalism and morbid fascination!

I hate it when a couple of jerks who think they're god's gift to the rest of us hijack the comments process by spewing out letter after boring letter! You know who you are.

Ralph used to be a hero of mine. Now I think he's delusional, a megalomaniac and a liar. I hold Nader responsible for the disastrous Bush Presidency with its "gifts" of Iraq, the further destruction of the environment, torture, erosion of civil liberties and the horror of the aftermath of Katrina. I'd hate to have your karma, Ralph! No one is paying attention to him these days, so I'll take his charges against the DNC with a barrel of salt. Ralph seems to have an insatiable need for attention. I believe he'd do anything to get it. What are a few lies to the man who was willing to risk giving us George W. Bush?

not the fact it is presented as. So this guy is a writer. What are his economic credentials? He is interpreting facts a certain way and has formed certain opinions. Now he may be right, but readers have no way of knowing. Stuff like this -- and there's a whole lot of it at Salon.com -- is a waste of time. I get very little out of the interpretation of events by an individual with no particular expertise in the subject he is discussing. Equally unhelpful are articles on a subject by true believers on the right OR left, because they choose which facts to use and which to ignore and shape their interpretations though their ideological lenses.

why exactly? I want him gone, not a media superstar. Enough. Please.

to make the changes necessary to solve the dire problems of climate change. I live in Berkeley, CA, considered --wrongly -- one of the most environmentally-conscious cities in the world. SUVs abound. City garbage cans are filled with recyclable items. City hall leaves most of its lights on all night. So few people use cloth bags for shopping (rather than paper or plastic) that most clerks don't even notice my bags. I have to point them out!

When the deluge comes, of course, it will be too late.

I just saw Pray the Devil Back to Hell last night and emerged from the theater with new hope for our world. I thought I understood something about the situation in Liberia in which Ellen Surleaf was elected head of state, but I really had NO idea that the woman of the country had come together and changed everything. These unforgettable women, Christian and Muslim together, transformed a war-torn country filled with atrocities almost beyond belief into a place in which they and their children can live in peace and have hope for the future. It's a small film and only one hour and 12 minutes long. But I can almost guarantee you will never forget it.

Years ago my Mom and I were traveling from California to Texas on Amtrak. We had the "deluxe" compartment which included a shower in the bathroom. I did not realize that such a luxury was part of the package until, while on the commode, I pushed what I thought was the flush button on the wall right next to the seat. What an exciting moment! Water gushed from the ceiling. I was drenched. And my Mom couldn't stop laughing.

Garrison's comment about instructions "by morons for idiots" also brings back a funny memory involving Mom. She used to clip and send me examples of that genre. One of our favorites was a pictures of baskets being sold by a national chain. One basket had strawberries in it. The copywriter had found it necessary to write "Strawberries not included in purchase of basket."

This phrase has the sense of an insult rather than a compliment ever since the late David Halberstam's used it as the title of a book on how the brilliant people in the Kennedy Administration erred disastrously in their policies which led to the Vietnam war! We need another description of very intelligent people if we're trying for accolades.

I read regularly and extensively in four different left/progressive web sites and in the last few weeks I have been shocked and saddened by the tone of many, many, many of the comments in response to a wide variety of articles. So many letters drip with hatred and venom. There's almost a total lack of compassion or empathy on the part of many letter writers. So much meanness. So little kindness. I'm starting to wonder if George Bush and Dick Chaney have been convenient targets to bear the weight of our aggression (And it is ugly.) Now that they are leaving the national scene, where are we going to put it? It seems to be going everywhere. People, please stop this! Change is never going to come from hearts like ours.

Does this mean that if we don't shop, the terrorists win???

Just curious, do the manufacturers/distributors of any of the featured products pay anything to Salon.com?

What was the breakdown for white women in the election?

Your advice is simply excellent, Cary! I can't think of a better way for this woman and her mother-in-law to forge an enjoyable and affectionate relationship than doing things together that both of them like. Good for you! I love it when you think outside the box.