The most tasteless shows on TV didn't seem to be mentioned: Wife Swap, Fear Factor, and daytime "train wreck" talk shows on topics like trying to figure out who a baby's daddy is just to name a few.

As far as I'm concerned Ms. Havrilesky is welcome to say whatever she wants about reality contestants, who must know by now that is part of the game, as is being edited to appear to be a certain type of character. Where she goes too far is insulting South Park. It remains one of the funniest, most relevant shows on television. I'd be impressed even if they didn't write and complete some episodes within just a week or two of an event happening that the show is about; which they often do. Yes social commentary gets well coated in juvenile humor, which is to be expected on Comedy Central and keeps people laughing and watching. As for Drawn Together, that one doesn't work for me either as the name seems apt -- just a bunch of random elements thrown, excuse me, drawn together.

As for Jeff Probst, I wonder if he really is pondering leaving Survivor now that his contract is ending, or if saying that is a negotiation ploy. He does have a great deal of sway on the show, and I can't imagine it continuing without him after this long. Surely he can pack up his idol and go home, financially set for life, and good for him if he does. Maybe his contract negotiations should be a reality show.

While I'd sign on for a package without Faux News, ESPNs, etc., I'm more interested in what channels will make it into the family package.

ABC Family is out for PG-13 movies, Cartoon Network is out for its late night fare (though why would kids be up watching after 11pm?), TBS is out due to edited Sex and the City. In a discussion about this I'd said Nickelodeon would be in, and was told it should be excluded because there is so much potty humor and bad examples of kids disrespecting their parents. The FOXs are out, plus most or all Viacom channels. What about ABC/CBS/NBC, with all the violence on cop/crime shows they must go right? Discovery and TLC have shows covering the human body and sex and lots about evolution. A&E has lots of adult themes, same with Oxygen and Lifetime and WE. Shows like Animal Precinct on Animal Planet could upset young kids. USA, AMC, SciFi out, not to mention E!, Spike, and queer Bravo. History is all about violence, so no History channel. Shouldn't news channels and CourtTV be out for the same reason?

So maybe the line-up is the Hallmark channel, TVland, Disney, the religious channels, Discovery Kids I guess, and maybe some country music and sports. Is that it, really? I'd pay not to get those channels except TVland perhaps. I could see some people wanting their kids only getting those, but when they grasp that being in a tier means ALL TVs in the household only get those channels, somehow it seems their interest will evaporate. Maybe instead they could spend an hour figuring out the V-Chip and using it to match their particular views on what the kids should watch. Nah!

While the current presidency concerns me greatly, I'm even more concerned with the precident that is set for the future if Bush goes unchallenged. This is not World War I or II, or the Korean War, Vietnam, or even an Iraq war. This is a 'war on terror'. Considering how long there has been a political mess in the Middle East and the hatred by extremists for the West and especially the USA, I can't imagine the war on terror being won in my lifetime. Since there is no war front, but rather the occasional terrorist act or lack of one, how can the 'war' ever be declared over?

So if we have a war without end, and the President can do whatever he deems necessary in time of war, then not only is the current president above the law: All presidents are above the law for the imaginable future. That is unacceptable! Whether or not to impeach Bush has less to do with the man, and a lot more to do with protecting the political system of this country. It has its flaws, but it is better than a supreme ruler. The people who say there is no political will to impeach may be right, but laughing off the head of the Executive Branch saying he is above the law as just that southern good ol' boy President being silly -- wow. What Bush did was wrong, but his unapologetic insistence that he can do as he damn well pleases is an even bigger problem. Should this about the man, congress protecting its own interests, or about what is best for the United State of America?

Several letters declare that impeaching Bush would result in President Cheney. That isn't exactly correct. Clinton was impeached by the House. Had two-thirds of the Senate agreed then things would have gone farther, but they didn't. Even if impeachment proceedings never result in a majority vote to impeach, a year or two of impeachment proceedings would almost have to cause the White House to temper its approach and attitude. It would certainly give them something to think about, and would be news so big even Bush couldn't ignore it.