It bears repeating that yes, you're right--these people serve at the will of the President, and Bill Cinton did fire all of Bush #1's appointees at the start of his first term, just as Bush #2 fired all of Clinton's appointees at the start of HIS first term.

HOWEVER...

There is no precedent for firing appointees mid-term... and even then the problem is not actually the firing but the EXPLANATION for it. When it came out, if the administration just said yeah, we wanted other people in there, it probably would have been fine--but they started saying there were "performance problems" which the people who were fired objected to. They were unhappy that their reputations were being tarnished. As well they should be.

The OTHER problem is that the administration claimed they had nothing to do with it, didn't know about it--when there was all kinds of documentation that clearly they DID know about it.

I've had two dogs die, both of old age. It was very sad--especially the dog I'd had since I was 13. And I WILL say that while human attachments came and went, the dogs provided security and continuity, and sometimes a reason to get up in the morning (if you're depressed, and another creature is THAT dependent on you, you can't give in to your depression). And my dogs are my hobby, and my recreation. They're also great social lubricant.

That said, I know they're not my children. I dislike being called their "mommy". They are easier than children; I can leave them home alone and go out to a bar. I can put them in crates when they're being annoying and I have things to do. They housebreak MUCH easier than children. There is less joy connected to them than children, I imagine, and also less heartbreak. My ego isn't all tied up in their successes or failures like it seems to be so often with people and their kids.

Much as people might wish to believe otherwise, most of a dog's 'unconditional' love is actually conditioned on the fact that you feed it. It doesn't change the joy in the relationship but it should certianly color the comparisons to deeply held human bonds.

Then again--as I move through life, I think more and more that the love we have for other people, and that they have for us, IS actually conditioned on the fact that we "feed" them, and they "feed" us. When our "needs" are no longer being met, we can and do drop relationships. That it's a simpler, more direct relationship with a dog doesn't necessarily make it less emotionally valuable.

and the "aawwww" factor. He's cute, and the old ladies who watch "Idol" looove cute--I worked in an office where there were a lot of older women who loved that kid with the glasses whose parents were deaf and kept him on the show even after he should have been gone.

Dusty Springfield

I like to look at fashion. Really! I like to see what's "hot" for the spring/summer/fall/winter, and decide whether it'll look good on me. I like makeup tips (for those rare times when I wear makeup). I like hair ideas. I find gossip entertaining sometimes.

Also, it's a lot easier to read one of those on the treadmill than it is to read something I actually have to concentrate on.

I wish my waist was thinner and I had a more toned stomach. But I'm working on it. Other than that, I know those models are 13 years old and look like flamingos in person--and probably have their own body issues. So I don't worry about it too much.

Was very funny in "Dogma". Then again, the whole concept of choosing Alanis Morissette to play God was pretty funny anyway.

Was the name of Paula Yates' kid that she had with that guy from INXS--and then when Yates died, Geldof tried to get custody of the little girl (did he?)

I don't know why you'd want to name your kid Metallica, but I don't see why you SHOULDN'T. Personally, I don't think people should name their kids anything that you see more often as a name for a Golden Retriever (this includes, but is not limited to, Dusty, Cody, Indy, and Brandy). But once again, whatever.

Amend that to SHOULDN'T name their kids anything you see more often as the name of a golden retriever...

I was right the first time. Jeebus.

But THIS one does have hoax written all over it. Among other things, how many degree-less 25-year-old single women do YOU know who own houses?

My first encounter with the Aqua Teens was a "whatthehellwasTHAT?" moment. After I watched a few times, I started to really enjoy it.

I AM SOFA KING WE TODD ED! Say it FASTER!!!!!

is going to win any new fans with this movie, so yeah, it kinda doesn't make sense to send a movie reviewer out to do a TV reviewer's job! Where was Heather?

Really isn't germane either. A sprinter shouldn't have contact with other runners, so nothing the sprinter is wearing should make any difference. And the rugby players are ALL wearing scarves, so in theory, they may be more likely to be careful of each others' scarves.

It becomes all about HIM instead of all about the people who were killed, and those who are mourning them.

Cause xtra pain during periods. I have to start the Advil early (as soon as there is any sign of bleeding) and keep taking it at regular intervals for three days to keep the worst of the cramping at bay. As ANOTHER bonus, I start retaining water about 10 days before my period starts--my breasts get tender, I swell up, blah blah blah. I would LOVE to bag my period for good. I don't view it as a symbol of my womanliness, and would be happy to never have to deal with it again.

Blitzkrieg Bop?

Before everyone ELSE jumps on it!