clearly, the faith-based organization is worked up about something. i can't know this for sure ... but one could assume that if a group of people decide that certain rules of clothing girls makes sense to them, that i beleive they may themselves have issues with sexuality and free expression. it doesn't take a phd to figure that out. but the question is ... why? are they just stupid people? are they insane with religious rapture? maybe a little ... but also ... i beleive they are doing something they beleive to be helpful to counteract something pervasively "wrong" in our society. and that is that adolescent girls (and boys) are being sold as sexual objects through popular media. maybe there are important gender differences around this. maybe this points to something unfair or unjust for the girls or women themselves. i think it points to parenting and teaching children to be proud of who they are as humans. i do beleive that there are grounded, amazing 13 year old girls who dress in alternative ways ... and whose artistry of life can push limits. this rare breed sould be supported and loved so that they can grow into amazing people in this world. but they are 13. their parents, doing their job as parents, *might* choose to intervene around somethings to teach them an imporant lesson that they may not have access to at 13. also ... most 13 year olds are crazy with insecurity and peer pressure and are desparate to fit in ... at some level. this is normal. parents who are too hands-off allow them to be swayed by media role models like spears, hilton, etc., etc. who themselves are barely emotionally 13. the pure fashion fols are overreacting to a real problem in our society using the tools and worldview at their disposal. they are being reactive. i beleive posts like this ... that don't seek to describe or to understand the humanity of such an action ADD to the world's reactivity. this thing tends to sell newspaper, boost ratings, get web hits ... but is it helping. ms. price isn't too over the top with reactivity ... but does describe being "worked up" ... maybe she has a thing or two in common with pure fashion?

Glenn,

I request that you consider expanding your incredibly invaluable role ... perhaps with Salon ... but perhaps not. It seems to me that, as you repeatedly point out, our mainstream reporters are slow to move on this issue. Also, I agree that there must be some kind of behind-the-scenes jockeying/agreements between the Republican administration and certain Democrat senators and congress members. True, some seem to be investigating ... and this also seems earnest in some cases. But perhaps many of our leaders on both sides of the aisle have secrets that some J. Edgar Hoover style "intelligence" has uncovered. Rove's techniques in the past have been reported as digging through the trash of political enemies, so why would things be any different. Most politicians seem to be primarily interested in sustaining their political lives, and I would presume this often comes at the expense of "doing the right thing." So ... who is left to do the right thing? I think that answer is you, me, and others around here. I have neither the vision nor expertise to know how and where to fight. I believe that you do ... or at least have knowledge of those who might. I believe that a natural next step is for there to be an organized and aggressive plan on two fronts: government reform and journalistic reform. Seems you and many of your readers are likely do just that. I guess all I mean is that I think you could be a leader in this regard, and I think Salon should help you establish a think-tank of brilliant investigative journalist/lawyer/do-gooders to help fix this country. I will donate my money, time, and any expertise I might have (which is not laywerin' I'm afraid). I hope you will respond to this.

Steve (aka totoro)

That poor woman. I feel terrible for her experience, and anyone who has had experiences like her. I wish this would never, ever happen. This brutality has not occurred to me, and I do not know what it could possibly be like. It seems utterly horrible.

I want to write to say I have no idea what went through the minds of these onlookers. Maybe they were scared. Maybe they felt paralyzed. Maybe they are indifferent. Maybe they have hearts of stone. Regardless of this, they, too, are humans. And they, too, may have ... reasons ... for their action. And maybe I don't agree or approve of these reasons. Is it helpful to comment or judge them, though. Without trying to understand?

I believe this is a situation that really asks those of us on our computers to extend compassion and understanding to all involved. Actions have consequences, consequences teach people what they need to learn. Sometimes there are victims, and sometimes people make mistakes. I hope I would have made a phone call to the cops ... it seems like such an easy and simple thing to do. Sometimes blogs and their commentary seem to invite divisiveness and judgment. It makes for interesting debate. I believe sometimes powerful emotions ... thoughts ... are natural. I also believe that not questioning such reactions ... even when they are "valid" … perpetuates suffering in this world.

"Wide Stance Republicans. What do you think about THAT?"

ticker = sticker. guess i got a little excited.