It's homophobic, transphobic, ageist, and is a one trick pony presented as a three ring circus: 7 of the 10 costuming no-no's are Palin/McCain/Trig.

Ms. Hepola, with considerable compassion, I urge you to try responding to those of us who take the time to read your writing without dismissing us as "busy bees." When I urged the Broadstreet writers to respond to their readership, as Ms. Walsh and Mr. Greenwald do, I wasn't imagining ad homs. However, I don't want to be seen as a stalker. I quit posting in Broadsheet because of the seeming indifference of the writers and I'll quit reading your articles. I hope this doesn't feel like a victory to you, but I'm afraid that it might.

And for whatever editor or intern red-starred Ms. Hepola's response, is one of your qualifying criteria insulting Salon's readers?

Okay, Salon readers!

You're all poopheads!

Now, please award me my red star.

P.S. - If I insult the readership twice, do I garner two red stars?

...literally poop on the Constitution.

"He's a ni**er."

The stupid, it hurts.

I think Ms. Hepola is in charge. She's an editor, as opposed to a writer. I would appeal to an editor to reconsider the homophobia, transphobia, and ageism in her piece, but she is the editor. Likewise, I would appeal to an editor to chat with us, rather than tell us to STFU, but, again, she's an editor. Lastly, I would appeal to Ms. Hepola, the writer, to clarify the purpose of her piece, but she seems beyond questioning. I'm been following this thread, but, as Ms. Hepola wishes, when I see her byline in the future, I won't read those pieces.

"And the Editor's Choice star is Salon's staff's way of saying 'Don't worry, your job's not in jeopardy'."

Could be.

However, I take it to be Salon saying, "STFU. We don't like when you question us and if one of our editors hushes you, we'll hush you too, by putting a star on her reply, which gives it a more prominent position.

I like Salon and I admire many of its writers and this feels like high school.

It also reminds me of that Dr. Seuss book about the Sneetches with stars upon thars, who got to attend the frankfurter roasts.

Ms. Hepola said that Pennywhistler enlisted the busy bees of Salon. I don't have a clue who Pennywhistler is and Pennywhistler doesn't know me. The implication that Pennywhistler is pulling our strings certainly distracts from the reality that a few Salon readers were dismayed by this article, for various reasons. Ms. Hepola's energies would be better spent on reconsidering her intent, her means, and its effect rather than thinking that there's a conspiracy.

I don't pity her. They radio guys gave her plenty of chances to realize the prank. She didn't. She couldn't. And she wants to be the leader of America. I feel sorry for the people who support her, for my country, for my species, and for citizens her recognize her limits.

Everyday, tens of thousands of Americans lose their jobs under Republican rule. So, your fairy tale of rich people employing poor people should be shelved.

Regarding McCain, I might have voted for him eight years ago. John Stewart just said the same thing, but today's McCain is a man without honor and a man without a single maverick's bone. He's had a skeletalectomy and is just another sliming slug.

Look at Steve Dallas's sunglasses. Opus is reflected, which means that Opus is above him.

In Heaven?

Or merely shelved, upon a shelf?

Tricky, tricky Mr. Breathed!

I live in a blue collar neighborhood. My neighbors are people you might deem real people. One is a welder. Another is a nurse. One is a factory worker. Another works in a nursing home. One belongs to the AFL/CIO. Another is a member of the NRA. And we're all Obama voters.

Ain't it cool?

Your assumpton that Obama voters are rich people educated in elite schools is silly. And it's silly to think that after the Republicans devestated the world economy that working people wouldn't noticed.

...asserts that the artist is the one least likely to know about their characters. May believes that artists are conduits and that the pipe doesn't comprehend what it carries. As a creative person, I think that's so and I think it's silly when people ask me about my characters, as if I'm the all-knowing Creator. I'm just PVC and I think Mr. Breathed might be that high class copper.

I suggested in my last post that Opus has been put upon a shelf. Mr. Breathed, the creator of a cartoon world, has put limits upon that world. His world has rules. For example, Opus doesn't levitate, except in his dreams. So, for Opus to be above Steve and reflected in his sunglasses, there would have to be some sort of physical aid. Given that it's a Humane Shelter, a shelf seems most likely. A creator will shelve a character and return for them later. Don't be surprised if Opus returns someday.

Thanks for the letter! Now, I've got one you can cut and paste and send to the U.S. Army:

Dear Army Guys.

Sarah Palin was punked and she's hawt. Is it attackin' time? You betcha! Attack those Canadians! Shock and awe for Jesus!

Sincerely,

A citizen

P.S. - Canada has oil. Wink, wink!

We're goin' to war for Jesus. That's different, you know. As long as we're killin' for Jesus, killing Muslims, or killin' for that thick, black holy water, aka oil, it's okay. You see, God just ran out of the room on the stone tablets.

God wanted to inscribe more than "Thou shalt not kill."

God wanted to inscribe, "Thou shalt not kill, unless you scrub the killin' with 'Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!' or you're killin' to protect the thick, black holy water that powers that shinin' city on the hill! In that case, 'Crush! Kill! Destroy!'"