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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

However, after having seen him give the Inconvenient Truth lecture live in Austin last Monday, anyone who calls Al Gore a doomsayer is being wilfully ignorant. The whole point of An Inconvenient Truth that it's a call to action, not an "end is nigh" jeremiad. We can make a difference if we act now is what he's telling us.

To me, the argument that there have been mass extinctions and temperature fluctuations throughout Earth's history is utterly uncovincing. We have unquestionably changed the environment, now even the climate, through our conscious actions. We can make a conscious effort to do what we can to reverse what we've caused. As Al Gore illustrates with the healing of the south polar ozone hole, we may even be able to reverse things faster than we imagine. But we have to act.

Ben: If the Christian right unites behind Romney, they will have to overcome their anti-Mormon first , and that may be a tall order. Dobson, et al. might have to swallow reeeeal hard to throw their support to someone they believe is a member of a malign cult.

David: I agree with you. However, the progressive left would have to actually follow through with their threat. As someone who would jump to a true progressive party in a heartbeat, I get tired of being told that the Democrats just have to win, then we can work from within the party. Well, the Democrats won in 2006, now we're being told they didn't win big enough. If we get the electoral repudiation you predict (your keyboard to God's eyes), I have to wonder what excuses the leadership will find then.

While on a trip to the Hebrides a few years ago, my wife developed a UTI and needed a course of antibiotics. Total cost for a trip to the nearest clinic and the drugs? About 6 pounds, probably around 10 bucks US at the time.

I would like to know what it would cost an out of towner to see a doctor and get medicine "out of network"? Even if they have insurance, it's probably going to be a lot more than $10.