Wow, I have to say that I'm a bit surprised by the uproar this article has caused. But upon reflection, I guess I shouldn't be shocked that a commentary on pulp culture should ignite the self-righteousness of the lefty intelligentsia.

As a loyal, progressive and occasionally disgruntled Salon subscriber I'm going to bat for the magazine and the author this evening.

First of all, from the beginning Salon, has presented itself as a source for politics, the arts, AND CULTURE. To imagine that the O.J. drama is not part of our culture as Americans is completely delusional. You, as a lefty intelligentsiast (I made that word up) may prefer that the O.J. drama wasn't part of our culture; and you may imagine that it isn't part of your culture as well. But the very fact of your letter here today (whether or not your read the article) is proof positive that it's your culture too.

I think that the scale of this drama within the media makes it impossible for a publication like Salon to ignore. What's more, I think that to ignore it would be to do its readers a disservice. So, there it is.

Secondly, Ms. Dickerson voices an opinion that, while certainly macabre and mildly--at least--inciting, must be shared by a great deal of people who watched this story unfold 11 years ago who and can't help but hear about it today. In the midst of being a bit squeamish at the premise, I had to admit that, yeah--maybe we'd all be a bit better off if he'd had the decency to remove himself from the gene pool. My guess is that a good portion of those writers shocked and appalled are writing to appease their guilt at having a similar reaction (NOT all writers--just a fair portion, for God's sake). The world is our mirror, yes?

Finally, I can't imagine that this article is any more destructive than our VP telling a Senator to go fuck himself on the chamber floor. In fact, I'm quite sure that the article is considerably less offensive than that.

The mock moral outrage is a beautiful example of something the left desperately needs to overcome if we're going to move this country in any way, shape or form.

Get over ourselves already!

Thank you. That is a terribly pointed and succinct way of putting it. The morning shows--it's brilliant!

AND, everyone in New York and LA pay attention: your protest forum awaits! Wishing you happy civil-disobedience from Oregon...

Loved the interview with Lynch and hope desperately that Inland Empire opens sooner than later in Portland, OR.

As a native of Spokane, WA I have to let you know that "Inland Empire" was a term regularly used to indicate the region stretching from Eastern Washington, through North Idaho and into Western Monatana (home of Lynch's hometown of Missoula), at least until the mid to late 80's. Certainly Lynch knows this. There's probably no way to know whether that's a clue to his intention for the film. But, interesting none-the-less.

BTW, I saw Blue Velvet because I worked in an Eastern Washington college town video store in the late 80's and the film buff regulars highly recommended it. Eraserhead I saw for free in the cafeteria at Berklee College of Music as a freshman in 1990. This is only to say that one might consider including music schools along with art and film schools when pointing out the most likely audience for such creative endeavours!

Since I've finally, after 10-15 years or so, given up being pissed off about the selection process/pageant that determines the NCAA I-A football champion, this year my pet peeve is that the powers that be see nothing wrong in letting a team of young men sit around for 6 weeks waiting to play a game of consequence.

It was bad enough before when everyone was finished on New Year's Day. It's worse now. How, in any universe, could it be acceptable to interrupt the competative flow of a season for more than a month before letting the "top teams" battle it out.

OSU--pardon me, THE OSU--couldn't possibly maintain their sense of focus and drive with a layoff like that. Especially difficult when you factor in the media attention of being the appointed No. 1.

Bullshit. Flat out.

I no longer have anyone in my circle of acquaintences who's remotely interested in college football after the traditional rivalries are over around Thanksgiving.

Way to grow your market, NCAA! Keep on keepin' on!