@r1chard3: But what about State's Rights? Read the Constitution and get back to me. Start with the 10th Amendment. Note how it says, in a nutshell, anything NOT in this Constitution is up to the States. Then refer to Second Amendment. Now ponder "state's rights" and what Constitutional limits govern the States' ability to curtail your right to gun ownership.

@Silver River Canuck: If you want to stop criminals from having guns, stop having so many! Makes about as much sense as, "If you want to cut down on theft, stop having so much stuff!"

@kalyarn: "What about the children" hysteria is no good, whether it comes from religious zealots or bleeding hearts. Your irrational fear of guns in no way justifies further government authority to encroach on our privacy.

Bottom line: whenever we go about making laws based on our fears, we inevitably impose on the rights and liberties of others.

Whether its oppressive laws that result from our fear of terrorist attack or onerous restrictions on gun ownership due to fears of gun-related tragedies - or for that matter, broad laws that would guarantee wide-open access to firearms because of our fear of criminals... Whenever we govern from fear, we do not govern from reason.

And unreasonable government is what got us to this uncomfortable place in our history.

Porn or not, art or not, I agree with "madupont" on one thing:

Moralistic "conservatives" *and* "liberals" are making America a far less pleasant, fun and free place to live.

The idea that most Americans seem to possess about liberty is a selfish, totalitarian stance than demands everyone live according to their dubious moral standards.

Good for you! A victory for hysterical outrage, a setback for reasonable debate! Sure you must be quite proud of yourself. Unlike Polanski, you've been able to exploit the misery of another woman for your own personal profit! Commendable! Good American!

Is everyone in America becoming a jingoistic, reactionary, ignorance-fueled, opinionated but ignorant jerk?

"We all have spouses; we all have kids. So what?" Well, no: we don't ALL have spouses or kids. But those who are engaged in this allegedly most-important-of-life's-activities might be better served by introspective parents who pass along their observations and thoughts in an attempt to stimulate other parents toward thinking and observing. I mean, most of you endlessly-bitching breeders complain about having so little time, one would think you'd invite someone with more tie to ponder these things.

Jack London? Are you fucking kidding me? Hilariously, I encounter a lot of blowhards who point to Jack London's greatness, usually while insulting an author they have not read. Listen, dipshit: all that does is show me you haven't read a goddam thing since you were 14. Those of us who were enamored of London in our youth grew up to read Vollmann, among others.

But best of all, mostly for the delicious irony: a bunch of opining anonymous letter writers, suggesting that "no one cares" about what a best-selling, prize-winning author thinks. Whoo! That's rich.

The best thing Michael says, and something all of you should note (and likely the very think that pricked your childish ires): "I seem every day to give a little less of a fuck what people think or say about me," he confides.

He carries a "purse." He writes about his family. He puts his thoughts on paper. Clearly, this makes him an enemy of those who wish to wallow in defiant ignorance, or an annoyance to those who don't want their own pointless navel-gazing to be interrupted.

AND: he doesn't give a shit what you (or I) think about him.

Yes, my friends: that is a Man, a Human Being, a Person of Character and Strong Will (not to mention a ton of talent), someone who is certain of himself and not afraid to demonstrate. Most of you weak-minded parroting fools seem to have forgotten what that looks like.

It's politics as theater. Everyone is invited to watch, but only the Chosen Few are allowed to play.

'Nuff said.

What's the difference between this lone Muslim nut allegedly murdering for religious and political reasons and the lone Christian nut murdering people for religious and political reasons?

There is no difference. America breeds murderers and terrorists just like any other nation whose citizenry is wracked by poverty and economic uncertainty, and dominated by a ruling class whose indifference to their suffering.