Anne is clearly trying to follow the teaching of Jesus here, and since she is operating in the Christian tradition, here's a thought or two attributed to him:

You've been taught an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say don't resist evil.

If someone hits you, let him hit you twice.

If someone sues you in court to get your coat, give it to him and your cloak, too.

If someone forces you to go one mile, go two.

If someone asks you for something, give it to him. If he wants to borrow money, don't turn your back.

So all of you disgusted letter-writers who are accusing Anne of being self-aggrandizing, well, maybe--just maybe--she is really trying to live out the example of that nutty, wacky, silly, jokester, Jesus.

I feel so sorry for this dog. She has nobody to stand up for her. Her dearest friend (the husband) has wimped out to please this cold and unkind woman. I won't post what I am thinking, because it would just be a bunch of cursing. What I cannot bear is unkindness to totally innocent, loving creatures.

Despicable.

Where did he go, anyway? While I always read Stephanie's reviews, it is usually true that we have opposite reactions to most movies. I don't want to slam her, but sometimes I get the feeling she fancies herself as the substitute Pauline Kael. But...she's not.

And no review of History of Violence, one of the year's best?

I don't believe a word of this letter. Heck, skip All My Children and go for prime time. How about The OC?

Her performance in Hx of Vio was brave and astonishing. Just shows, once again, that these awards mean nothing when it comes to artistry.

Those naysayers who posted derisive things about your suggestion certianly have rights to their opinions, but I don't see them out doing anything else. Non-violence seemed to work for Ghandi.

-Lola

...was meet the maternal side of my bio family. It all happened quite accidentally, in a way. Very much worth it--it gave me a groundedness I ener knew I was missing, and while my bio mom and I never quite could get over her guilt, I am quite close to my aunt and half sister.

-Lola

That was hysterical. Thanks Hen and Bunny, whoever you are.

...I think it's the wonderful Jane Siberry singing in that scene.

But I know--the L Word IS pretty damn bad.

Geez Louise, I was going to watch the tape this weekend. I kind of knew about Beaver, but not about Aaron. THANKS.

By the way, Veronica Mars is hands-down the best show on network television.

...who was given up for adoption in 1959. My bio-mom was 22, pressured by her Very Catholic mother to give me away. It was sort of an in-family situation, and almost by chance, I met my bio mom and half-sibs in 1992. She seems pretty emotionally messed-up, and while I don't think it's all about the adoption, it's got to contribute. She was sent out of state to a home for unwed mothers to be. She told my aunt that she had an ongoing visceral feeling of 'empty arms' after I was carted off.

One of the things that struck me, after I met them all; was how inhuman it really is to have this being in one's body for nine months, and have to give it away. She had my half-sister a year-and-a-half later, and it astounds me that my sister was legitimized because my mother was then married, while months earlier I was given away.

I'm not bitter, but it is a curious, strange, unnatural thing.

I too am a graduate of Bible College, back in the day. I'm still a follower, nothing like those people anymore (they don't let dykes in the club). Anyway, having been teethed on Hal Lindsey and the like, I know exactly what you write about.

By the way, on a side not, read "Stealing Jesus: How Fundamentalism betrays Christianity" for a good perspective on these people.

Rock on, H. Congratulations.

...and I ain't talkin' about Anne.

Harriet, of the Spy, probably my favorite girlhood literary creation. Interesting (or not) that her best friend was a boy named Scout.

...the 'promiscuous gay lifestyle,' yet they don't want to allow us to make legal commitments to one another that might have the chance to ameliorate such behavior (marriage has certainly done that for the straights--yes, indeed). What are these people saying? That's easy: they don't want gay people to exist.

I am so fucking tired of being used as a wedge issue. If I could get a good job and move to Canada, I would in a heartbeat.

...exactly how I feel.

...your Deadwood-speak. I'm one of the riff-raff without HBO, but am furiously catching up on S2 this week.

Between Deadwood and Veronica Mars (and fancy the connection between those two shows-yeah!), tv, it's okay.

really lovely. Thank you for the smiles of recognition.

"Gerry" probably is high as a kite right now, happy that he is standing up against the liberals in this little letter exchange. What a dope.

I am a follower of Christ, and I'm a a big old dyke. What of it? Gerry can't threaten my faith, or God's faith in me.

Well, I'm not big, although I could easily stand to lose five pounds. And 47 could be considered old, I guess, depending on one's viewpoint. But the other stuff is true.

...beautiful attitude, bigot.