What's the point in saying anything? DO something, right? What will Americans DO? hmmm... That's why we have political representatives. A slow machine turns it's huge, heavy head to the left in America, gets ready to bark.. But what KIND of bark should it be? And at whom? Why are we barking? Can we get a consensus? Can't we just BITE??

These days, it seems more important to aspire for the top of the heap than to actually get anything "real" accomplished. It's our culture. And Americans will fight for what makes the loudest noise whether it's the truth or not. It's our culture.

Bombs are loudest, so, therefore... America will fight for them. There is no truth in bombs. That's what makes it easy. And that's what Americans want. 2-minute commercial breaks.

That is why America will never stop...

Unless...

TIMES UP!!!

But honestly, there is absolutely ZERO malice in the term fag-hag. none. At some point in the future all these misinformed nasty mean people will understand the ugliness they bring to the "homosexual agenda" discussion is their own. At some point in the future all these misinformed nasty mean people will stop feeling sorry for gays and lesbians to realize there really is NOTHING wrong with them. and maybe one day, I can actually kiss my "husband" without it being some form of "protest" because everyone is happy in their own lives. Maybe someday when Jesus and Mohammed tell everyone they are best friends and always have been, [we] will be best [friends] too.

nah!

Why, why, why is it that in every article about mp3's DRM's burning ripping and the fact that everyone would just like it for free anyway, no one mentions the artist? The most an artist is paid by iTunes (disregarding a label's contractual obligation) is 30 cents per song. You want it for free? Tell the new and upcoming artist or your favorite artist. Just go up to there door say "hi, I really respect your work, but ..." Someone please address this and explain WHY this is okay. You have to pay for food, clothes, electricity... So do I.

You hear it from the horse's mouth. The SMART retail leaders have seen (this) coming since fiscal year 2007. Longer even. All you have to do is look a little closer to see who the smart companys are. And it's not the discount sales that make or break the sales target. No no. The best indicator of whether a retail company will make it through the this Holiday Shopping Season is to look at one thing: The Men's Department.

Think I'm kidding? Seriously. When we hear reports about sagging sales being the harbinger of a long winter, we are actually hearing testament of the average female shopper's psyche. The backbone of the retail world resides the depths of millions of (fake or not) Prada bags. Which makes up nearly 80 percent of America's retail revenue. It is in a smart company's best interests to skimp where it is least hurtful.

Don't believe me? Just check out the Men's department in any store at all and compare. Ladies buying for your men? (really?) There is a not-immediately-noticeable slimmer choice in sweater colors this year, no? The walls are not as jam-packed with specialty one-off items as, say, your average women's shoe department or handbag department. Pay just a little closer attention and you're going to see a bigger picture about the future health of any department store. The investments retailers always make will be in women's apparel and to recoup the (planned) loss in revenue, a much, much smaller investment will be made in men's apparel with slightly less drastic discounts to further offset loss. Besides, let's face it, Guys REALLY don't know how to shop. They are not driven by price reductions on clothes, bless their fool hearts.

A smaller selection of the men's apparel is a sign that the retail outfit has made some shrewd (read smart) product investments. A very good sign. The opposite applies to electronic gadget stores, naturally.

So, to Joy Press, I absolutely understand the message you are hearing from the retail gods and you are right, the prices are mockingly discounted... And yes retailers are hurting. But it's JUST a cramp, nothing to be overly concerned about.

SERIOUSLY!

But you're not seeing the entire picture and I'd like someone out there talk about the REALITY of the American retail business environment so.. people might calm down and stop being such nasty, mean spirited, condescending, unreasonable and DEADLY shoppers!

No, but really, I loved your article.

Our nation was founded on the principle that we are "escapees from a bad and scary place". America is by definition a place where a "truer form of freedom" will be borne and enacted. As such, there will always have to be some form of enemy of state to remind us of and keep our sights on the freedoms Americans will collectively die for (In political and cultural terms). As long as there is a scary boogeyman held up before the masses, America is a safer and stronger and more united America. Or so Fundamentalists and radicals want you to believe. How many different ways can it be said??? try 50.