The correct book title I meant to mention was Aftermath: Remnants Of War.

http://www.amazon.com/Aftermath-Remnants-Landmines-Warfare-Devastating/dp/067975153X

By now, I'm wildly off-topic. I apologize, it was probably a mistake from the beginning. I'm done here.

Here's a rhapsody of vulgarity the worse for being written - and published - in an attitude of seriousness. Heather Havrilesky's sensibility, both as regards the issues of her concern and the language used to discuss them, mark her as a low point of banality for the country.

This nation has some problems, it's corporate world, serious failings, our people, several imperfections. However, these details now seem benign by comparison to this spectacle of tastelessness. If Havrilesky relishes McDonald's hamburgers, which have to be the worst prepared food in America, she automatically dismisses herself as a pundit for anything. Concerning TV, discriminating people years ago exorcised their homes of this demon for being what it is - an opiate to render a population somnolent and subject to manipulation.

The mentality of Heather Havrilesky is the problem. It will not be part of the solution.

"Because, let's face it, we're not nearly as cool as we were 40 years ago. Our hairstyles are ugly, our taste in food and music sucks, we don't read, we take ourselves way too seriously but have nothing original to say, we drive like assholes and these pants make our ass look fat."

America is aging and not at all well. It's the geopolitical equivalent of the star quarterback from high school now careening into middle age, gaining at his waistline what he loses off his head and believing his now archaic achievements to be the highlight of his life.

But then many countries age badly. Look at France, the aging celebrity who uses plastic surgery almost as makeup in a futile/tragic attempt to hide the de. Everyone can't be a Britain with it's quiet dignity or a China with it's fountain of youth.

America's hasn't been a young country for a long time. Politics is locked in half-century old disputes and the governmental system is archaic (what country hasn't had a constitutional overhaul in the past 200 years?). But much like the star quarterback, convinced of his own greatness, America sees no need to do anything differently ever.

Sorry Heather, you can't makeover anyone who doesn't think anything's wrong. Maybe there's a such thing as too much self-esteem?

Gordon Ramsay is following in Howard Stern's footsteps...making his obnoxiousness his trademark. His arrogance and cursing are boring and unappealing. He will be going down the great garbage disposal in no time.

Really liked the idea of tax breaks for healthy and intellectual endeavors.

I really must take issue with you on the phrase "prepared food" If that's what Mcdonalds burgers actually are; 'food' and 'prepared', then my sofa cushion must qualify as a delectable dessert.....

Right! America was a greater country 40 years when products actually got manufactured in America. It was also a leader in many other fields including space. Not any longer. Europe and Japan have taken the technological lead. Europe is definitely posher and cooler than America and Japan has the best public transportation in the world. I could go on but I don' t want to bore readers.

to their favorite socialist country. They wouldn't like it once they got there but the return trip was not free. Those dopes must be smoking dope. Obama will stretch our patience as he listens to his buddies but we can run 'em out.

I have to be honest and say that I like a lot of those simple, easy eating foods, "good" for you or not; but then again, I can see your point. nothing wrong with those delicious BBQ chicken or whatever it was that Applebees' serves , but thing is this. why should we be bailing out any of these major companies and chain restaurants when we could be helping out the " little guys" so to speak, the mom and pop restaurants that are way cheaper to eat out at and have real home cooked food.

Applebees is not cheap by any means and their portions, if you like to eat like I do; are just like those in any of these yuppie snob "romantic country inns" we have here in Connecticut. those places for all the shit don't stink " sophisticated", rich people to take their dates for dinner. and all they are is a big chain, with mid range yuppie prices and small ass potions which cater to the yuppie dating crowd; NOT the real nitty gritty people for whom a valentine's date may be over at Kettle Cook Pot along SR 22 in upstate New York's rural, REAL countryside.

as for all this self help book stuff and all that winey & cheesy stuff- are we not already a fucking nation of 12-step groups full of phony " positive" people all reaching for some unattainable spiritual pipe dream. [ the other 50% attending those same 12 step meetings as a sober singles' bar and seeking another lost soul to get " spiritual" with in bed or long term love relationship!]

It would just be nice to get back to the simple life where "drama queen" personalities can be seen as adding "sugar and spice" to a relationship and not necessarily something bad. one where $20 total bill is what a date costs, a world without fashion magazines dictating what women should wear.

as for the small bookstores , indy films, all that ? well that's what I can say that I like about being liberal, as those movies, music, etc. feature topics so much more interesting than the latest " he can't/she can't commit because the job/family/friends is just too important and busy" romance [or the latest James Bond style blow up cars and buildings action movie for the dickhead macho males.]

A world where many personal ads in Match.com do NOT say "fine dining/wining, sophisticated, tasteful, INCOME $50,001 TO $150,000+ and no drama queens as we all have enough drama in our lives" ahhh-fucking-hemm!

that sound so kewl, like how many liberal people actually would talk, at least the guys more or less as mnay women here in America often feel that " ladies are not supposed to use that kind of language." Which brings me to a point about America and how we try on TV to " shield our impressionable children from smutty, and bad language.

the football announcer on today's Pro Bowl played a recap of one player wired for audio in which you could hear him say "gimme the darn blessed ball" or something like that. I knew that was dubbed over, as that same player probably said " gimme the goddamn ball mother fucker!"

those players can smash into each other hard as they can, asshole Chuck the superhero geek and " snatch-hound" can shhot people and all that. YET, when somebody like Howard Stern mentions the word " Pussy" or " fuck " on the air, maybe has a radio contest where he awarded the listener with the biggest BM a new toilet[ Private Parts Movie]- all for shock value, of course; the parental/societal right is worried about " women & children hearing those " bad words, etc."

Yet in Britain, even the women use the word " cunt" freely and call both men and women stuff like that- yet they don't like handguns!