That we actually don't all agree on homosexuality and hatred. Elephantman is basically arguing that it's ok to hate homosexuals and the schools should stay the hell out, teach reading, writing, and 'rithmatic, and let people work this out on thier own.

But schools teach way more than the three r's. They teach intolerance by refusing to allow discussion, by refusing to address bullying and persecution. A word that comes to mind in Condonation. Why is it ok to hate homosexuals? Free speech? It is a strawman arguement - because the bottom line is, in school there is no frickin free speech. None. Last I looked bullying, hate, and intimidation aren't constitutionally protected, even in the U.S. Homosexuality is a personal trait that is as inherent and natural as being born a twin, or an allergy to peanuts, or feeling sexual attraction to the opposite sex. Substitute another personal trait such as skin colour or gender into this article and you may be able to get at the barbary of it all.

Elephantman, you wear your bigotry on your sleeve - and that's just how I like it. But when schools refuse to protect their minorities from abuse, and implicitly condone it, I draw the limit at this whole 'free speech' argument. How can somebody concentrate on the three r s when they're too busy trying to survive ridicule and threats?

You said: My point is that young white males who are not EXPERIENCING their privelege (sp) are shamed for complaining that they feel marginalized.

Young white males are not marginalized. They don't have to be ashamed of their feelings, but nor should such feelings be vindicated. This whole marginalized white male thing is psychological fall out from recent advances in civil rights. The dominant class always feels diminished when marginalized classes are conferred basic rights that were once within the sole domain of the 'privileged' few; the air feels a bit rarer when you're not used to sharing it. Doesn't mean the feelings valid.

This tired old trope is particularly revolting coming from a woman.

I too cannot resist reading The Hav's amusing articles about shows that I don't watch. I am a fan of the writing, and, if I've seen the show, I generally agree wholeheartedly with Heather's assessment. As a matter of fact, she's turned me on to just about every one of the very few show's that I currently watch. Thanks Heather!

If you are smarter than Heather Havrilesky, you've shown no sign of it thus far. I'm willing to admit that you may have as yet unplumbed depths, but, given the crotchity, perpetual critic persona that you're projecting into the ether, I'm not looking to do any plumbing.

And no, you don't need to know anything about the 'Industry' to write a great column about t.v. shows. Zippo. The column is called "I like to Watch". All you need to be is amusing and addicted to t.v., and presto! Entertainment for the masses.

Raymond Carver's story is unequivical in its codemnation of the men who leave that young woman in the water. The wife of one of the men becomes obsessed with her husband's betrayal of this young girl, her life, this total failure of compassion in the face of an interrupted life. She feels the need to make ammends even as she begins to disassociate from the husband who has behaved with pathological callousness. He and the others leave her naked, exposed, dead, alone. It is an ultimate act of disrespect for and failure to protect someone who cannot protect themselves; it is part of the continuum that ends with the brutal act of her killer and is emblematic of the misogyny that Carver portrayed in many of his stories.

As a fan of Carver I do not want to see the movie because I know that it cannot come close to the dark melancoly feelings that the story evokes in me. I can only say that anyone who has not read the works of this amazing luminary of American literature should head to the library, grab one of his books and sit out in the warm air, pour a glass of wine and just read until night falls. Film still cannot touch the power of the written word - and I love film.

All of the above. So happy to see the talented and hot Fillion getting romantic leads. I miss Firefly!!!! And I'm not just saying this cause he's from Canukistan.