In my office not too long ago, I overheard a 20-something woman, fresh out of college, in her first job, ask another 20-something woman, fresh out of college and in her first job, "How do you spell 'Roe?' As in Roe v. Wade?"

True story, unfortunately, for those of us who remember when there was no Roe v. Wade.

It was shocking to think any woman, even that young, didn't have this critical decision burned into her brain forever, as a reminder of how fragile our right to biological and reproductive privacy is. But then, why should she? It's the status quo for them; they've never lived in a time when that right didn't exist.

But that's precisely why we should worry about Roe v. Wade. When something's taken for granted, that's when it's most at risk.

--Gabriele Bennett

There's less historical evidence for the Christ than there is for King Arthur and there's very little originality in the myth as it's told in the bible. Gods were knocking up virgins long before 1 C.E. Baiegent's "work" is just an alternate to the pseudo-history of the bible and is less dangerous than the bible because I doubt that Baiegent's aim is creation of a 'religion' as a means of societal control and political influence.

As hard as it was, not giving them money was the best thing for them. Once the well runs dry, people do finally learn to manage their money and their lives so they don't get into those circumstances.

Your mention of Wolfgang Sawillisch's treatment of the Bach Toccata and Fugue reminded me of when he conducted the Great Gates of Kiev during the concert in Philadelphia that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the founding of Israel. Zubin Mehta was also on the program, conducting the Israeli Symphony and I had hoped that Maestro Mehta would be conducting that piece rather than the more restrained Maestro Sawillisch. But I was so wrong! Sawillisch's interpretation of the Mussorgsky-Ravel "Gates" had a majesty and a grandeur that was incomparable. Remembering it gives me chills to this day.

As for me, I have the air conditioning on at least until Thanksgiving. I keep the thermostat near 60 in the winter. I rarely get cold, but get one nano-degree above 70 and I'm miserable. As a single woman, I wouldn't leave a window open anyway. I don't care where you're living, it's not safe. Besides there's nothing nostalgic (or remotely attractive) in the image of bugs crawling through chest hair.

Is still clutter. whether it's shoes or old birthday cards or email, it's clutter. And clutter impacts how you work and think and live your life in general. Get rid of it. I have several email accounts. I save a few gems that made me laugh or made me feel better. Other than that, they all get trashed.

I happen to be for Hillary. I would have preferred Bill Richardson, but he'll have a job in the new administration, so we'll have the benefit of his experience somewhere starting in January 2009.

It occurred to me now after reading Mr. Blumenthal's article that we who hate George Bush and did well before he was "elected" the first time, nonetheless owe him a great deal, precisely because of the horrific job he's done as president.

I doubt that Hillary OR Obama OR any democrat would have the victory and mandate the democrats will have in November if Bush hadn't dragged us into and kept us in this hideous war.

I think we'll commence a long period of democrats in control come November. Had the Republicans, led by George Bush not destroyed our country quite so effectively, it might be more of a toss-up. By the time Hillary's out of office, most of the current Republican candidates will be dead. McCain? He's blown it. He'll die in the senate. Thompson? He has cancer - has 5-10 years left and he's a mental featherweight anyway. Romney? Never was and never will be viable. Giuliani? A one-trick pony.

If Hillary picks the right VP, there's 16 years right there. You can undo a lot of damage in those 16 years and if the democrats retain control of congress through out the next nearly 20 years, we may start to see glimmers of repair to the economy, the deficit, our standing in the international community.

That might actually be George Bush's legacy. That he was so terrible that the very thought of a Republican president leaves us nauseous. He could have done it all himself, but he had help in the form of his minions and the likes of Larry Craig, just to mention one.

So I say, thanks George. Thanks for being a modern-day Caligula. The country needed someone to drag it down just this far before it could start to lift itself up again.

I tend to be skeptical of companies that have all these amazing perqs for the rank and file. I've read Google will even let you do your laundry on site. My experience is that when companies offer these little goodies inside the company, what they're doing is discouraging a life outside of the corporation.