The tone of the article reminds me of Michael Moore's first movie Roger and Me. It was from the late 80's and it was about downsizing and the economic problems in Flint, Michigan. Moore made a big joke about him trying to talk to the head honcho of GM, Roger Smith, and not being able to.

I didn't think it was all that funny actually and I don't find this article humorous either. The author seems fatalistic. In the face of economic uncertainty, all you can do is by dry beans (big fan of them btw, extremely versatile food) and make a joke about it? Gee how about, I don't know, trying to promote economic justice, unionism, changing the administration, learning a marketable skill? Nah. Let's write a snarky column in Salon and show everyone how above it all I am.

I agree with some of the other posters. Maybe having 5 kids, and young ones too, is getting to him. Lack of sleep. Bills. Job concerns. This would get to anyone. It doesn't sound like he knows what he wants or thinks. Which is understandable.

Anyway, keep your chin up. Maybe give him some space if possible. You may end up getting divorced, but it sounds like you might be better off without him.

Proof: "Mastronardi is Italian, first of all, so he's more verbose than most of his countrymen."

Since he's Italian can I assume, that on top of being 'verbose', he sings Opera while puttering around the kitchen making Mama's ravioli?

Also, I know plenty of 'verbose', and down right loud ass Canadians of non Italian extraction.

Geez. Stop thinking in cliches dude then re-write your article accordingly.

I went to Vancouver last year. All I had to do is show my passport in both directions. (Is that the huge new burden? The author didn't even list the new, draconian regulations that supposedly have come down. Maybe they don't exist.) Also, I didn't find the officials particularly pleasant, but so what, they aren't trying to sell me anything.

BTW, Canada's been a foreign, independant nation, seperate from the US for the entirety of the US's existence. It has it's own laws even. Quirky place.

I, for one, can get by without some fucking smug art student telling me how much I'll miss them when their gone. Sorry bitch, we can't miss you till you leave.

Let your buddies know how much you hated it here too.

The problem we've been having is too many people want to live here, not the other way around.

Go to France and see how much they love you.

Fuck. You.

Well, you can save people a lot of money by getting rid of taxes all together. Anyone advocating that? What's the difference?

The whole thing sounds like buying votes to me. Address the real issue of energy independence then we can have a discussion.

I'm going to have to agree with some of the other posters, this is looking like a Clinton at all costs kind of site. I'm going to have to think about taking my business elsewhere.

Using your new degree to get financially ok then maybe get a divorce. You can also push back on the other members of your family, except your kid I guess. Don't hang out with them more than you have to if they bother you.

Sounds like you've been married for a long time and you're only 28. Alot of people would feel trapped in this situation.

Yeah this is a joke. But if it was an Islamic tradition/practice, Tracy'd be exhorting everyone to respect cultural differences.

Look at what Broadsheet has to say about the burkha - hey it's a choice, nothing wrong with that!

Feminist chastity balls - horrific tool of the patriarchy.

Classic and Thank You.

Personally, I find proms in general about as relevant as purity balls. How is this stuff any less dated? My advice is don't go to them, particularly if you don't like the rules. Oh, and don't attend a school or participate in a religion when they are backward.

So very simple.

Pyrian, 'Broadsheet routinely condemns sexist behavior in Muslim countries.'

Must have missed it.

Not wearing a hajib in Canada gets some girl killed and Tracy points out that wearing a hajib is supposed to be a choice. Some flaky people have purity balls and that's supposed to creep me out? Do people get killed for not going to these things?

Sorry if you miss the double standard. IMHO killing someone for hajib purity is way worse than some goofy ball.

But hey, you're doing your bit for multiculturalism, if not feminism, so pat youself on the back.

No argument here, BadReligion. Just pointing out that sometimes it's just dorky, sometimes it gets you killed.

Sorry if the truth bothers you.

You're an idiot and a whiner and an exhibitionist. Don't blame all that on the fact your an American. Lot's of people, Americans even, actually do the work that makes home ownership worthwhile.

Don't blame anyone but youself, prick.

"Remember the boom? The seemingly endless sunny days, the IPOs, the stock options, the insatiable appetites for stuff -- food and drugs and money and exposed pipes and stainless steel kitchens? Remember all that hope and greed and youth and bright shining possibility"

No, I don't actually. Not everyone was getting IPO's and buying stainless steel kitchens in the 90's. Most people weren't actually.

When did you become a caricature of yourself?

Well said.

I don't see why riding a Harley means you never read history books either. It's fun to stereotype people I guess.

If you're going to sneer at other people cause of their weight you might want to look in the mirror some time.