About a decade ago I was au naturel. Did not even shave me legs- for years! But admittedly, I was basically celebate for all those years. Then I started trimming it up when I finally hooked up with an occasional man. And then, after years of waiting, the fairy tale came true and I found myself in an insanely passionate sexually adventurous relationship. Now, there is just no way a nappy bush would do! Are you serious?! That seems so Jane & Tarzan to my sensibilities. I do have a recommendation, if you can't get a wax, use Nair. Never shave- too sensitive down there. And in case you are wondering, I'm your demographic: single, age 41, large metropolis.

That really hit the nail on the head for me, and was so eloquently written. Keep channeling Yoda!

Thanks Gary, for articulating what I have been thinking for years now. It seems from the other letters that many others feel the same way. I hope tomorrow is the day I can wake up from this bad dream (this nightmare, really).

I for one appreciate the clarity and analysis of this article. And I don't have a problem with composite photos either.

what fun! just putting in my vote for the sizzling hot Keith Olbermann!!

I read Salon for its rich diversity and progressive slant which is difficult to find all in one place. Thanks for once again reaffirming why I subscribe to Salon. And fuck those old prigs who don't get it!

Some people are so uptight! This was a great fluff article on pop culture. And sometimes, that's exactly what I need. I can't always be reading about the evil Bushies, the incompetent neon zealots, and the dark dark tragedy that is Iraq. It's too damn depressing. A little levity goes a long way toward perserving my mental health.

sometimes strong emotions that get the better of us serve a purpose! like helping up figure out who the hell is bad news and who we need to stay away from. not all strong emotional reactions are caused by a traumatic childhood, subconscious projection, or symptomatic of being "unskilled" in dealing with emotional issues, for christsakes.

It's all about the Pres/VP ticket. Any combination of the current three front runners Obama/Clinton/Edwards can win in a heartbeat. Look what tired losers they would be running against on the Republican side? After 8 years of Bushie hell, do you really think the country would go with any of them? The only possible spoilers- Bloomberg or Diebold.

I’ve got another paradox for you “uptoolate.” Ever notice how those same wingnuts who oppose abortion rights, and hate gays, are also the ones who oppose Planned Parenthood, sex education, and more tax assessments/allocations for building and maintaining schools, parks, and recreation centers. When these same wingnuts vote republican, they are also saying no to green environmental policies.

If you're gonna support scorch the earth and blight the neighborhood policies, you should at least do what you can to keep the population in check.

I empathize with the LW. I have a mother who thinks JFK was evil and Nixon is a national hero. An aging father whose once brilliant inquisive mind has been lost to Fox News indoctrination. I have some hick brother-in-law that says, "there ya'll fightin' over there in Iraq so that we can be free." huh?! Like WTF. Speechless. Where can you go with that?

But as many people have already mentioned, here's my best advice: just don't talk politics with them. Appreciate them for what they are, and take them only in small measured doses.

And for all those who said that you must be some over zealous college student- bah humbug! You can be passionate at any age. Especially about things that really matter. That will keep you young at heart always.

The LW should tell her exactly how he feels- "oh the horror of it all!" That way, she can make an informed decision about whether she really wants to keep seeing such an uptight priggish judgmental puritan. I would want to know that I can run like the wind in the opposite direction.

It has been my experience too that guys don't leave a situation like this unless they are kicked out or something else is beckoning them...

if you two were able to find the common ground whereby you told your husband he did not have to attend synagogue with you if you could find one that would kindly accept him without a yarmulke. And he told you, that's ok, he's willing to wear one because he knows it means so much to you.

I would be as completely appalled and non-supportive of this so-called marriage as the LW. But given that her husband is going regardless, and that her daughter feels such a camaraderie to her young cousin, I would go simply for the shared family experience. You don't have to support this union in your heart. Hell, most marriages end in divorces anyway. I don't give this couple 2 years before it's splitsville. Just go and be a good sport- take one for the team. You can be a good example for your daughter in that way.

And as many have already pointed out, don't worry about your daughter wanting to run off and get married just because her dorky old-world fundamentalist christian cousin did. Most kids are way too hip and precocious for that kind of retrogression. At this point, you just have to trust that your daughter has enough good sense, because you have given her good guidance during her formative years. A guidance must have been worlds apart from the guidance her cousin received.