Isn't this obvious?

Republicans fear they'll lose the upcoming elections, and they're willing to do everything to turn the tide. Like ditching Bush and the policies they so supported when they were still popular, when the war was still 'hot'.

I'm not sure these people should be given so much attention.

Nobody's defending the life and work of R. Fisk here after the so brave "anonymous" attack on these pages?

Sure, Fisk has got an agenda, and a very clear one. Telling us what we don't want to know about the Middle East. The thing is, after I read his work, I understand what is going on in the Middle East much better, than after reading mainstream newspapers or watching tv news.

Explain that, Anonymous.

By the way. This is not about "Crossroads" being too left or too right. If a documentary fails to explore the real roots of an essential problem, it's a bad documentary that can do a lot of damage in public opinion, and it doesn't matter what side it comes from.

Nowadays, I will consider that as a compliment, being outside the mainstream. That's exactly why I continue to read Salon, though I may not always agree with their views.

And it't not because you don't agree with the majority that you've become "extremist". I think history shows a majority can be mistaken.

You can't cut bread with a gun, you can't write letters with one.

Guns are primarily designed to wound or kill. Period.

I'm not buying the fact that people think guns are just like any other object, that they like guns because of the beauty of the mechanics.

There are plenty of other things that have great mechanics too: musical instruments, cars, buildings, clocks...

It's the godlike feeling you get of controlling life with a gun in your hand, it's the brush with death that is so tempting, and dangerous.

Just to let you know he's up 'there', or should I say 'down' there, with the greatest impopular 'journalists' of our time, and he's still alive: Robert Fisk.

Texas is not the world.

I found myself in a similar situation a couple of months ago. I think I can relate to your feelings of anger and confusion. Sometimes I still feel them. But hang in there, ok? You'll be fine.

Here's what I did: I 'used' those emotions in my next job interview... And got the job.

It was a consulting company that did the selection of candidates. Lots of candidates, tests, interviews... Pretty hard stuff. When confronted with The Question about why I was fired, I told them the truth. Plain as that.

But I did not just tell them about what happened, but also about the mistakes I had made, and about how it made me feel at that time, and how I still feel about it.

I like to think it showed them I was not hiding anything, and that I was being honest with myself, and with them. It also shows you're capable of critical self-analysis, and it becomes clear that you're willing to learn from mistakes and want to move on.

Don't fake: say it hurt, but that you're trying to turn it into a positive experience by learning from it so that it won't happen again.

Good luck with your next job, I'm sure it won't take long before before you're busy again, and wanting a couple of days off. :-)

Unlike others, I don't think you're a sociopath. But Cary is right here, so very right.

Like all families, and especially when you're the daughters' new boyfriend, it will take some time before you'll get your spot in a new family - and that's when there's nothing serious going on.

So start giving, see what your girfriend needs, her mother, the father, and attend to that. Give the people you love what they need. And if you're lucky, you might get something in return, possibly faster than you'd think (but not that fast).

... will teach us nothing. Some rockstar once sang.

Tony, high time you caught up on some reading on Middle-East history, now that you have the time.

From where I'm sitting, the Middle-East has been mad on Western politics and influence at least for DECADES, and not just because we, I mean, YOU invaded Iraq.

So how come you're so stupid as to see Iraq (and Afghanistan) as two events that stand alone in time? Wake up, man! People do have memories.

of course, I meant: History will teach us nothing.

Reading all about the inconsistencies in the museum diplays mentioned here is great fun: Why were Adam and Eve white? Did the animals poo? What did they eat if not meat? (Hope I can make myself clear on this.)

Doesn't it strike these creationists that that is exactly how they read the bible too? This projection of how we know life nowadays is bound to have mistakes in it.

So who are they to say that the way they read the bible is true?

Thanks for your response; my thoughts exactly.

In this age, where we are desperately trying to control almost every aspect of life, we find it hard to deal with life's Great Uncertainty.

Bad things do happen all the time, all over the world. They might happen to you, your wife, or your son too, they might not.

That is the truth, like Cary said.

Feeling that uncertainty and worrying sometimes is one thing, feeling scared and paralysed is another. Fear is big these days. Watch out for it, it gives bad advice.

Whenever I look at my 2,5 year old son playing, sleeping, or simply enjoying a glass of milk, I get sad too sometimes and realise I can't control what will happen to us. But I do know I am free to decide how I will deal with it. Don't forget that.