Need a reference to understand this? Look back at any of your favorite childhood cartoon today, as an adult. Felix the Cat, Speed Racer, Beanie and Cecil, the Flintstones, you name it -- all appear a bit flat, distant and cold today because these were made for kids, small kids.

Listen to the audio and voice work for the more specifically kid oriented cartoons (not the Warner Bros intermission shorts) and you'll hear very simple, plain language. In combo with the "flatness" or coldness, I believe this allows for the transition to another "space", kid space.

Too loud and/or violent and a kid can freak out instead of zone out and enjoy. The flatter and simpler the story -- the more it seems kids can connect. Miyazaki's gift is taking the simple small kid reality and bringing it up many levels in artistry. Miyazaki is of course very Japanese in this sense -- seemingly simple stuff made powerful by elegance and style.

(From a technical POV, I think the HD presentation and super refined images makes the film colder and harder, i.e., no softness or fuzzy edges - literally.)

Need an American context and counterpoint, lets use Pixar stuff, say Cars (or you pick). These are made by adults who want to be kids with very specific baby boomer context and sensibilities (wit, pop culture references, etc.) and that "warms up" the story.

Stephanie Zacharek is a good reviewer and her honesty is great. I think however she misses context or needs to watch how kids watch cartoons. They seem to enter another reality that adults can't necessarily enter and isn't that the whole point?

For your reading (dis)pleasure. It all evens out.

http://www.pointsincase.com/chuck/homosexuality.htm

The United States should have the option of single payer. Perhaps state to state or even separate plans.

Why do you ask?

Because without it, with health care costs running amok, the U.S. is at an economic disadvantage, probably to the tune of trillions a year.

Every managed economy knows keeping health care cost in check saves tremendously. Conversely the U.S. is giving every other industrial nation (and many developing ones like Turkey) a 6-8% annual advantage. In a global economy this is HUGE.

Best example might be GM failing. Sure it was doomed but so much was made about the legacy costs of retired benefits. Without this burden (ie. with single payer) GM would have greatly more nimble.

I always like Ted Kennedy mostly because he was a liberal. After reading and watching the memorial services I like him even more. He wrote and passed laws that make America a far, far better place.

His personal and family legacy however is far more impressive. I believe Barack Obama nailed it when he said Ted Kennedy was the baby who became the patriarch. He became the father figures of his two brother's children. He stepped up big time.

As the youngest in his family nothing was expected of him. He could have served two years in public life and walked away like so many but he stayed, and he fought for the average joe and jane. He passed major legislation over and over again.

Ted Kennedy really did represent the best of progressive ideas AND action.

If all the right wing nut jobs have is sticks and stones to throw and Kennedy isn't even in the ground yet, it shows they are the small people Joe Biden talked about.

Ted Kennedy deserves more then our respect. He deserves our praise.

Yes I know "Cougar Town" is suppose to be a comedy but man with that title, the show either has to be super funny or the writing has to have balls the size of Jupiter to pull it off. It's not surprising then that it's a floater in the toilet bowl of TV.

I mean "Cougar Town"? Whatever they're smoking at ABC, I want some. Otherwise - thank you for the write up and warning. It sounds so bad it's a must check out show.

p.s. if you dislike LA move. It's not for everyone but really the whining about it is so East Coast pathetic. There's few things sorrier then an ex-pat East Coaster whine about LA and California while living here. They complain about the traffic, the smog, the scariness of earthquakes, the lack of deli, bagels, pizza, and on and on...AND YET THESE MOTHERFUCKERS LIVE HERE AND CONTINUE TO MOVE HERE. If you don't like LA or California - move. You'll be happier and Californians will be happier.

p.p.s. yes I know it's part of East Coast communication patterns to whine and kibitz and all that but KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF ALREADY. Can't you people learn to relax and enjoy things, just for a second? Your neurosis is like pollution in California -- and it should be outlawed just like it.

Wicked satire, in the face, with a smile. Great stuff, thank you.

It's a bit annoying to read the East Coast hysteria and neurosis from Ms. Havrilesky. California gets earthquakes and fires, plain and simple. It's part of the deal of living here.

Other parts of the country gets snow, hurricanes, killer thunder, weird blithe and poverty, twisters or a combo and it's not a better place to live.

Despite what people say California is a beautiful place to live. It is the largest state and the 8th largest economy in the world. If California displeases and frightens citizens and people so, they really should consider moving away.

Ask Ms. Ashley if she feels the same way in 20 years. She might but probably she'll get a clue and some perspective. OTOH, while she overstates, if it worked for her she should run with it. She really didn't harm anyone except Spitzer and that was only because he was a big time public official.