Oh, if only I could convince myself that enough voting Americans will take to heart the lessons of the last six years for Republicans' hold on the helm of the ship of State to be broken. But I'm not hopeful. We elected George W. "What, me worry?" Bush to office twice, and our fat, comfortable complacency hasn't been challenged in all this time of unnecessary war by requests for personal sacrifice. We huddle together voluntarily, baaing and mooing, as we're led to intellectual slaughter. Look at the pretty shiny things! Walk toward them!! Don't think!!!!

Ms. Paglia states that Clinton's autobiography "made a convincing case for Hillary's long-standing political commitment and her credentials for the presidency," but that "I remain uneasy about her -- she lacks spontaneity and instinct, and she's too programmed by her amoral cabal of shadowy handlers."

What is the evidence that Clinton's handlers are "amoral?" What, indeed, is the evidence that they are "handlers?" The very political commitment and credentials Ms. Paglia cites lead me to believe that no one "handles" Hillary Clinton. She strikes me as an extremely savvy politician who by her demeanor shows that she recognizes the fact that in order to do good things in office, one must first attain the office. She is marketing herself to a public which includes some heavy-hitting intellects along with a larger number of voters who require a less-nuanced message (you know, Republicans). She has devoted her adult life and career to public service, and has willingly thrown herself in a ring in which she is holding her own while simultaneously wearing the mantle of "first woman candidate with a chance of winning" (which Elizabeth Dole never had). And as for her failed health care initiative: that would never have flown, regardless of the messenger. Her mistake in that situation was ever to have agreed to take on the task.

I hope I get to vote for her for President.

Debating the concept of the "personhood" of anyone with the mind of a 3-month-old (not 3 years old, as some letterwriters have said), is a luxury of ivory tower dwellers, people who don't have to do the dirty work. It is said that nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself, and this sad situation is the perfect example.

It is disturbing, too, that so much emphasis is placed on the supposed cruelty of denying this person her sexual feelings. Much of what contributes to sexual feelings, such as soft touches, a feeling of being loved, even pleasant auditory and olfactory stimuli, can still be experienced. If she never climaxes, well, she's no worse off than most married women.

I hope that those who deplore the Ethics Committee's decision have the courage to vote for those who would put social needs over business needs in the next election.