As a long time cycling fan, it really stinks when cycling is front page news when there is something sensational to write about. I know that King doesn't give a crap about cycling, but for those folks who do care, the sport is bigger than one race, one rider, and doping scandals. I'm not sticking my head in the sand and I know that doping has been a part of the sport for ages, but I love the sport. There are lots of great events and riders. It's more than the Tour de France.

Thanks Salon for bringing us this article. Like others, I was greatly moved by Bourdain's story. I also appreciate that he mentioned the kindness of the sailors and marines aboard ship towards the evacuees. Despite their youth and the harrowing situations they face, these men and women do an exemplary job. As the daughter of a Marine who piloted numerous helicopter flights to evacuate people from Saigon to the U.S.S. Midway, the story also brought back memories of the tales my father would tell of that experience.

not in all cases, but mostly lesbians are composed of women who are not as smart, attractive, or ambitious as the average woman.

I don't live in SF, LA, or NYC, but a midwest college town. This statement is utter nonsense. My sister is a lesbian and the vast majority of her lesbian friends are smart and accomplished individuals. Attractiveness is extremely subjective, but I've met less attrictive straight women who are happily married just as often as I've seen gorgeous lesbian women involved in commited lesbian relationships.

"No assumptions, really - it's just obvious given what you write. Some people are fairly simple to read."

Based upon what you've written so far, I conclude that you're a sanctimonious jerk. I'm sure I'm right, I mean it's all there in your writing.

It seems like this "article" was published purely to arouse emotions. I'm completely pro-nursing for however long a mom/kid wants, but I'm bored with reading these sort of mommy angsty stories in Salon. We've heard it all before.

Ok, to all the people saying that these ducks naturally gorge, don't you see a difference between ducks doing it naturally, e.g. eating the food through their own devices vs. having a tube inserting into their bodies while they are being held immobile. Good lord.

The stories about cuban food and the writer laid up in the Italian hospital were amusing. But, the Sterns article was atrocious. Then there is Julie Powell, the Rachel Ray of food writers. Aren't her 15 minutes of fame over yet?

I can't help thinking that some of the world's greatest designers would never survive this show. I'm thinking of people like Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Vera Wang. All specialize in simple, understated elegance, much like Laura.

You cannot be serious. There is a vast chasm between the designers mentioned and Laura in terms of creativity and design choices. OK, maybe not Calvin Klein, but any of their clothes at this year's Fashion Week, would blow her out of the water. Laura is an expert seamstress and makes pretty, sparkly dresses that conform to her taste and lifestyle. I'm sure there are women that would wear them. That's fantastic. But, they aren't very original. As someone else said, you can find dresses pretty darn similar at a high end department store.

Someone mentioned the cult of personality that has sprung up around Laura. I've noticed that too. There are a huge number of people who are entranced by her personality and lifestyle. On some boards, if anyone criticizes her designs you get attacked like rabid dogs. "You have a problem with strong women" is a common retort. It's kind of weird, to me.

Which leads into something that I hate about PR this season and that is focusing on the interpersonal drama to the detriment of the design process and garments. Honestly, I don't care about any of the designer's personal lives and I wish that most of the nastiness would end up on the cutting room floor. The fact that PR had poll's about who would be this season's villian is indicative of the direction and tone they've set for the show. It's sad. They edit Jeffrey as the villian without really considering he would win. They had to work hard the last 2 episodes on the redemption arc since by then they knew he'd won. It was silly. You can't erase a season's worth of assiness with a few tears and cuddles with his young son. I miss the fun and freshness of season one and I don't know if I'll even watch season four. If there is another "who's this season's villian" poll, I'll tune out for sure.

SATAN! I'm just waiting for the evangelicals to blame any indiscretions not on poor ol' Mr. Haggard but one of their two favorite boogymen, Satan or the "homosexual agenda!" I mean, just looking at a gay person can make an upstanding person like Mr. Haggard want to experiment with sex and drugs, right?

So, Ted apparently tried over the years to conquer the darkness within (e.g. his homosexual nature) and it didn't take. Well, no shit. No doubt he will keep trying, as his flock and religion will demand,and therefore will never truly lead a contented life. The best thing that could happen is for his wife to wake up and realize she married a gay man and for Ted to get on with his life and not deny who he is.