Thanks Tim & Co. for the changes to the War Room, including letting readers add comments. The War Room is one of my must-read areas at least once a day, particular in this winter of our discontent. Thanks for keeping this liberal/progressive warm and informed during these chilly times.

Thanks for the Bush/Bono comments, everyone. Can we have this as a regular War Room feature (captioning a photo, especially a surreal one like that)?

I was by turns disappointed and terrified when Harry Reid became minority leader, but this guy's growing on me. He's not to be underestimated, based on yesterday's use of Rule 21--and his "slap-in-the-face" comment. Is he the evolutionary first digit of the "tailbone" the Democrats need? One can only hope...

Four thoughts sprung to mind when I read this piece:

1. I really need to make a contribution to Girls, Inc. If the whole American Girls mess didn't convince me, this piece did--that strong, independent women need to be encouraged and supported virtually from the womb.

2. Remember that e-mail chain letter about the 1950s tips for housewives ("Greet him at the door wearing a martini and nothing else")? Goddess, help us, such Dark Ages mentality never went away, it just lived at an undisclosed location for a while.

3. Maureen Dowd's excellent response to a mother of a 23-year-old intelligent, independent woman, saying she shouldn't "settle for less" (a man who wouldn't love her for who she is) when seeking a life partner.

4. Thank goodness I'm a lesbian in a happy, monogamous marriage (we call it that even if legally it's just a "civil union") and don't have to directly put up with Adams & Co.'s "helpful", sexist/anti-women/anti-men hints!

...like the commercial showing the girls' road trip? Maybe those women, adult diapers in the trunk, were headed toward Hotel Vintage Park for their outrageously over-priced "Are we having fun yet?!" weekend.

Geez, P.T. Barnum had it right about suckers being born every minute...the funny thing: how much do ya wanna bet a woman marketer is behind these stellar ideas?

(Did I mention I'm in a cynical mood, despite the Dems' wins?)

I agree with your assessment of Ruth Rendell in general as being among the very best mystery writer--and with one reader's assessment that she's a top-notch writer in general.

But I'd like to add two more to the "best" list: P.D. James and Ian Rankin. Rankin in particular doesn't get a lot of "play" in this country, which is a shame. His characters, even more so than James's, say so much about themselves by not saying much at all. You *know* these people, you may even have moments like them. I enjoy James's development of her characters as well. They're all damned good company, whether over a leisurely glass of port or whiskey or a mug of hot tea.

My partner's theory is that everyone gets to heaven...some just have more 'plaining to do when they arrive. With that in mind, I hope Robertson finds himself in close proximity to:

1. All of those poor Katrina victims (who apparently died because the hurrican was God's wrath against New Orleans' less-than-holy atmosphere).

2. All of the 9-11 victims (who apparently died because of this country's growing acceptance of gays and lesbians, among other traits)

3. The late actor/ress Divine (just to see the look on Robertson's face).

Thanks for covering what matters, and thanks, Username, for calling things as they are.

Katie Couric is no journalist. She's a GE multimillionaire, 20-something-wannebeagain prima donna who does no homework, no real interviewing. But she's not alone. The networks are full of plastic clowns like her--male and female--who play fast and loose with the facts (as they are fed them), stomp all over their interviewees or tell them how to answer the question, and don't really give a damn about covering the issues.

As that old Barbie doll was programmed to say, "Math class is hard." So is being a good journalist. Too hard, apparently.

Each generation faces this lesson: money can't buy happiness.

The happiest memories I have from childhood don't involve gifts or accessories: they're about the time I got to spend with my parents. The trips with my dad to the hardware store and spice/coffee-roaster's shop and time spend raking leaves together. Him reading me a well-worn copy of "The Wind and the Willows", which I still have. My mom teach me how to knit and make French toast. My dad's been gone for 16 years now, and on many a cold winter's day, I am kept warm not by an outrageously expensive coat or $$$ throw but by those memories.

I can only hope today's children of the "rich, older" parents can some day look back on such priceless gifts.

I do think Walmart should be required to do so. Perhaps other states should pass laws like the one in Illinois that requires such products to be carried. Otherwise, this ain't gonna happen in every state. Then let the anti-women's-rights groups protest against states' rights, a cause they've generally held dear (when it suited their purposes).

At least we still have one decent reporter covering the White House, in amongst all the TV prima donnas (and dons), Milquetoasts, etc. Go, Helen, go!

I think she looks more like Richard Gephardt's gay daughter, Chrissy...but in the end, all that matters is if she can do the job. She's got a lot to do!

Can you say alcoholic "wet brain", children? He's a walking, talking "this is your brain on drugs/alcohol" advertisement.