1 Peter 3:15-16: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

(emphasis mine)

I believe that Cary is correct as to the daughter's motives are her love for her father. But her witness, as the LW describes it, is neither gentle nor respectful. This is not some huge character flaw on the daughter's part, it probably just comes from being 13. Perhaps the LW and his daughter can discuss these verses--tact and respect is a skill every teen needs to require.

The Cubs and Phillies, two franchises practically defined by epic late-season collapses ('64 and '69, respectively) get in, and the Mets collapse. Hahahahaha!

Sorry. Actually, King, a well-timed rant on why the National League playoffs are on cable and not the networks wouldn't go amiss. I'm pissed that I had to shell out $15 for an MLB.com package because the NLDS and NLCS are going to be on TBS and TNT, not a broadcast network. That's not a bad deal, but I don't have cable because I'm trying to squeeze a few stray bucks from my budget.

Gah!

You posted the letter I was prepared to. I also wonder whether the clinic might have been in a no-win situation.

The average probability of a successful IVF transfer is 30%. That varies wildly due to the quality of the clinic and doctors, and the specific fertility issues of the couple involved. Implanting 2 to 3 blastocysts is standard for responsible clinics; you might see as many as 4 transferred, but that would be in a case where the blastocysts were "low" quality (they are graded on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being the best, based on appearance).

It's impossible to know in this case, but I would be very surprised if the Australian couple weren't apprised of the risks of multiple pregnancy and told that their chance with just one blastocysts would be relatively low. I don't know how much IVF costs in Australia, but with an attempt costing $10,000 or more, I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to increase their odds of success. If you are not willing to accept the risks, don't undergo the procedure.

I know because my wife and I went through 3 attempts at IVF (with 3, 1 and 2 embryos implanted, respectively) and now have a healthy 8 month old son. We accepted the risks of multiples and would have been happy with twins, if a little more frazzled. The Australian couple should be grateful for the children they have--many people never get that far.

Doctor Who--Truly, you are a man after my own heart. However, for the "classic" series, I would personally only go with the credits from the Tom Baker era onwards. Even through Jon Pertwee the effects weren't quite up to the task. I would also nominate the "new" Who opening credits as well.

No "Twilight Zone"? Rod Serling's opening monologue is iconic. Oft-parodied, never equaled. And I would also nominate "The Addams Family."

And, frankly, "Friends." Catchy song, good sequence.

In the Civil War, it was possible to get out of the draft by paying someone else, for free. If I could have a wish granted, it would be that Webb's bill would allow returing Iraq and Afghanistan vets to choose a neocon chickenhawk to serve in their place for the duration, until victory is achieved.

For free of course. Unless we make the deploying neocon pay the returning soldier for what they've been through.

She help develop mind-body relaxation techniques in order to reduce stress levels and increase the effectiveness of fertility treatment. My wife and I and 10 other couples took a course taught by one of Domar's students that covered yoga, deep relaxation, nutrition, even about facing the adoption question and responding to well-meaning friends and relatives who will weigh in about your efforts to get pregnant.

The totally anecdotal results from a small group? Nine of the 11 couples have happy, healthy children. So if you ask me, yes--stress certainly does impact fertility. And what have you got to lose by trying?

With ideas like that, you're actually ahead of most t.v. executives, at least based on what's on the dial.

Why do I have the feeling this will come back and bite the Peacock on the ass?

I find it fascinating that Thompson is delaying his announcement until just before the start of the new t.v. season.

Wringing all you can out of the free advertising and residuals you get from Law & Order, eh Fred?

Compounded by the fact that the show, at least the portion I saw, was monumentally boring. As pretty much any show taking place in Tyler, Texas would have to be.

Still, Anchorwoman might have done better if many Americans didn't already believe that most news and anchors weren't all that much different from Lauren Jones anyway--news readers that don't bring anything new or challenging to our understanding of the world.