Most rational people looking at the surface of the Iraq war and, indeed, the Bush presidency as a whole would come to conclusion that both have been nothing short of catastrophic. I genuinely believe that this war has been about nothing other than money. Ask the CEO of Lockheed Martin if the Iraq war has been a failure. Ask the CEO of Blackwater if the Iraq war has been a failure. Ask the richest one percent of Americans if they believe the Bush presidency has been a failure. The abject cretin that Americans were dumb enough to elect to the highest office in the land accomplished EXACTLY what he and his dispicable cronies set out to do: Make the richest few that much richer. Bush got elected by convincing people that even though he was the billionaire SON OF A PRESIDENT he was just a down home country boy from Texas. Now, he's slinking out of the office and selling himself as a pitiable doofus who got in way over his head. Far from it; they did EXACTLY what they set out to do. They're not incompetent, they're greedy and corrupt to the point of obscenity.

If you don't have enough time that you can throw together a simple meal of wholesome ingredients cooked from scratch you really should take a step back and examine your priorities. You only live once and food is one of the most basic, intrinsic pleasures available to us.

"star chefs have been exalted to a degree far exceeding their actual cultural worth" This may be true but you could just as easily replace "chefs" with actors, politicians, musicians, athletes, diet book authors, salon columnists, ect and so forth. I find the smugness of star chefs infuriating but anything that better influences the eating habits of North Americans can only be a good thing. I'm a 25 year old male and am constantly appalled by the eating choices that my peer group makes. I taught myself to cook, it really isn't difficult and has done an awful lot to curry favour (I couldn't help it) with the opposite sex, which is a wonderful bonus.

This is whiny, self indulgent drivel. Who wants to read the money hungry whinging of some coddled rich girl? I hope the author's husband trades her in for a younger woman with richer parents. I also love how all her problems were absolved by, shockingly, getting a job. Bravo.

I must protest all the accusations of bitterness and schadenfreude levelled at those who take an immediate and visceral dislike of this article. I'm in my first meaningful relationship, still very much in love after two years of living together, my girlfriend recently lost her job, it's difficult and at times frustrating to be the only one making money but to consider leaving her over it? Seriously? The tone of the article really does suggest someone who got where she is based less on merit than on her parents chequing account. Airfare to LA to gab with a girlfriend counts as a "treat"? Anyone who brags about their parents paying for a graduate degree and far flung vacations while at the same time trying to conjure up pathos is a worthy recipient of scorn and derision. All of you who defend the author and describe her as "brave" and find the story heartwarming are, quite frankly, delusional. You can hide behind calling me bitter all you like, it doesn't change anything.