Some people here seem to be saying that, since there are other distractions that happen while driving, the distraction of a cell phone is OK, or at least no worse.

I think it would be a better idea to try and limit those other distractions as well. Select your music before you leave your driveway. If you must have a beverage, make sure it's properly positioned in your cup holder, and make sure that you can reach it without having to take your eyes off the road. If you're driving with children, make sure they're buckled in properly or in a car seat. If you're driving with one or more adult passengers, try to keep conversation to a minimum. Don't eat while you're driving. Don't apply makeup while you're driving. Don't read the paper while you're driving. Don't drink and drive.

With the exception of having to deal with a child's outburst, none of the things mentioned above are at all necessary to do while you are driving.

A car is one of the deadliest "weapons" there is, although it is rarely used that way intentionally.

And, as I said earlier, no one ever wants to admit that they are a less than perfect driver. Yet, how many accidents and deaths occur every year? So, obviously, there are lot of bad drivers out there. Why defend something that makes them worse drivers?

Congratulations! You win a prize for composing a letter that consists of nothing but straw men! Will you be going to Disney World now?

...but I think accusing people of wanting to ban cooking and chop off hands comes close enough.

We have officially reached such ridiculous levels of hyperbole that further examination of the issue becomes impossible.

An interesting point about singing along with the radio.

But, the contrarian in me thinks that singing along is not the same thing as having a conversation.

The songs that you sing along with -- you already know the lyrics very well. We seem to be hardwired to remember words when they're set to a melody. The song always has the same lyrics, so you're not really using your brain to process anything.

A conversation, on the other hand, involves processing the unpredictable comments from the person you're talking to, and processing a response.

I could be wrong, but I think those two activities would involve very different mental processes, and would be a lot different in their "distraction" level.

Man, you're just all over the place.

First of all, no one here has said, in any way, shape, or form, that all accidents are caused by cell phone usage. So, you're creating yet another straw man.

Secondly, you are the one who said the accident was caused by the driver's not paying attention because he was probably thinking of things to say to drivers using cell phones.

Third, I don't think that's the "fact" you were being asked about.

Tonight, while interviewing Jane Mayer, Bill Moyers quotes Glenn Greenwald!

I salute you, sir!

I'm still not quite clear on whether or not the Communion wafer in question had been consecrated. If it had not (and I'm not sure how a consecrated Host could be smuggled out of a church), then this wasn't truly an act of desecration. Until consecration, it's just a wafer.

I'm sorry if someone has already mentioned this. I haven't had time to read all of the letters.

Best. Letter. Ever.

We had our stimulus checks immediately confiscated by the government to pay off back taxes owed due to a mistake made by our tax preparer. What a world, what a world!

That is certainly your choice. I don't like my e-mail box cluttered up with messages either. I will say, however, that I didn't enter my phone number, and my donation still went through. Maybe they require just one or the other.

There is also an address given on the website where you can send donations by regular mail.

I will second (and I have brought this up before) the recommendation for having PayPal as a payment option. I have been able to donate to other political campaigns this way. Thanks.

Just let us recover from this a little, will you? This is rather fresh, and it hurts. I suppose we should all be used to the "feet of clay" thing, but sometimes you just don't see it coming.

I probably wouldn't have much to add to what AncientAssyrian had to say, though.

I just hope that he and his wife can come to a place of mutual understanding, and that forgiveness will be possible.

It's not often that I read something here that makes me both angry at the author's narcissism AND insecure about trying to do (or appreciate) anything athletic.

Please do watch the rest of the Olympics by yourself. Don't subject anyone else to your ego.

...is that it seems to be saying:

-Participating in sports (and having the audacity to talk about it) should only be reserved for a select few.

-You can only be an athlete if you have been been abused and have sacrificed your childhood in pursuit of a dream.

-Sport isn't about camaraderie or the sheer joy of physical activity. It is about winning at all costs.

At at time in our history when so many of us are not physically active enough, this is a terrible and damaging message.

The only one I have any use for comes in a glass.