I don't mind it, why do you?

Why anonymous minds it, or the fact that you don't isn't really the point, is it?

The functionality isn't working quite right. It's a usability problem for the site. Not the end of the world, sure, but a valid issue nonetheless. From an operations standpoint, it would probably be a matter of some concern, since it probably impacts page views which can influence everything from ad revenues to staffing decisions.

Maybe they're working on it. Maybe not. Maybe if enough people mention it, they'll decide it's worth putting more energy into solving. Or not. It doesn't hurt to point out a flaw, even if it is a fairly minor one.

What I'm not wondering in the least is why you mind that anonymous minds.

I used to volunteer as an adult advisor to a youth organization, with members from 7th to 12th grade. I worked with a female advisor.

It was a great exerience, and the organization was well served with training and resources for the volunteers. Each year we got risk management training, for example.

But something started to happen in the late 90s. Accusations against adults who work with kids, both professionally and as volunteers, were increasing, and the risk management training began to emphasize practices which eliminated any chance of adult male finding himself alone with a youth. Ideally, an adult male would ALWAYS have an adult female present, even in groups. But never ever ever ever should he allow himself to be alone with only one other youth.

It would be an understatement to say that I started to feel paranoid. If one of the kids approached me in a hallway I'd check to see if we were in sight of others. If not, I'd find others as quickly as possible. I would postpone or cancel meetings if the adult female volunteer couldn't be present.

The women I volunteered with never felt the same degree of anxiety. Most felt the process was unfair, that it put the male volunteers (and professionals) in a position of fearing the kids were ostesibly working to help.

In late 2000, I found myself driving a van ful of kids to an event, with my female co-advisor along. We stopped for a restroom break at a gas station with a food mart, and after using the restroom I went back to the van while the kids got snacks and drinks. One of the girls, a high school sophomore, came back before the others and we chatted for a minute until the others returned. She didn't actually get in the van, just stood beside the open side door.

Later, someone who wasn't even on the trip asked me what I was talking to the girl about when we were alone. I couldn't remember exactly -- it was innocuous "how much longer till we're there?" kind of talk. What I wanted to know was who told this person I'd been "alone" with this girl, and what the concern was. No concern, just wanted to make sure I understood the risks associated with being alone with a girl in my charge like that.

For one minute? In full view of the world outside a food mart? Me in the driver's seat of the van, her standing on the other side of the van chatting through an open door about something no more risky than the weather or the drive?

I quit. I'd had enough. Maybe my paranoia was unreasonable or irrational. All I knew is that the anxiety I felt about the risks associated with my volunteer work began to overwhelm me. I used to enjoy working with the kids, but I came to loathe every event, afraid of what might be misinterpretted or misconstrued. It just wasn't worth it anymore.

That was over five years ago. I've since heard that the organization I used to volunteer for is having a harder and harder time finding adult male volunteers. I wonder why.

For a standard to be accepted as open, doesn't it have to be, oh, you know, open?

No wonder UA doesn't want to release it.

Shoulda been $200.

No. Wait. Shoulda been $300.

$500!

One meelyun!

Wahhhh! Apple sux!

:P

I wasn't commenting on the appropriateness or inappropriateness of cigarettes or smoking myself, but on the simple fact that in America at this point, the movie has a double-whammy against it. It's a musical, a tough sell to many Americans. Throw in the reference to cigarettes, a topic of much volatility, and it probably just looks like more trouble than it's worth.

It'll probably make the arthouse rounds sooner or later, don'tcha think?

Yesterday morning I caught a few minutes of Matt Lauer interviewing Tiki Barber on the Today Show, and I was struck by how forceful he was. He confronted Tiki on a number of controversial subjects and pressed for answers when Tiki didn't quite address the questions.

And I thought, "Matt, where do you hide this side of yourself when you're interviewing conservative politicians or other representatives of the right?"

You asked for it.

He's obviously an employee of the G.O.P. All things considered, the MoveOn ad went easy on him.

Jaws is superb but Kornheiser is an unwatchable/unlistenable cornhole. Oh, the unbearable tedium of his self-involved sanctimony.

Can you EVER stop talking about Apple?

You, all those pouts the last couple of days about All Apple All The Time here. I was being a preemptive smartass.

What are you trying to say with this post? That Snow is an oaf has been long established. Beyond that, um, what's your point?

The fame isn't quite as big for Vimeo stars, (though there is overlap) but the work is usually much more creative and interesting, as are the potential interviews.

The roll-over-and-die Democrats have now been told what their next capitulation will be.

I have no interest in this movie because I hate the title. "The Brave One," oh, puh-leeze.