Aviatrixes are fine, its the dominatrixes you have to watch out for.

If the overiding purpose of any organism is to reproduce before it dies and if, as I believe, a gay sexual orientation is present at birth either due to hormonal influences or genes or, even more likely, a combination of both, then you cannot escape the conclusion that being gay is a disability from the evolutionary point of view. Not bad, not evil, but a disability in that it inhibits reproduction. The interesting question not addressed in this study is how such a gene, if it exists, could be passed on when it is so detrimental to reproduction. For this reason, hormonal influences are probably a more likely cause of gayness.

You are confusing biology with sociology. The urge for living things to reproduce has existed since, well, living things began reproducing, about 3.5 billion years ago. Problems of human overpopulation have only existed about 100 years. Overreproduction can and is being addressed by methods of birth control. More and more couples around the world are limiting themselves to no more than 1 child. Government policies such as those in place in China are highly effective. But the issue being discussed is a biological one and therefore requires a biological analysis. The fact that a biological disability making people unlikely to reproduce may help reduce the world population is purely coincidental. Being gay remains a scientific puzzle because it goes so directly against one of the most powerful instincts in nature. As such, it demands an explanation.

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This is off topic, but an example of TSA overeaching.

A friend was taking a baby toy with batteries (not Lithium) in carry on baggage and it was confiscated at JFK. No compensation. No reason. Not on any list of prohibited items.

"I then figured out I had no idea what to do if we had started rolling without the flaps deployed! Advice, Patrick?"

"But all the phone calls and e-mails to my Democratic representatives won't stop them from being pussies and bending over and taking it in the ass.....so to speak.

How do I know this? Because that's what they always do"

That's what all politicians have been paid to do - wring their hands, say all the right things and then pass the bailout. It is truly the best democracy money can buy. The US has been a kleptocracy for many years; now it is obvious.

How much does it cost to fly Emirates First Class? I thought so. Fogetaboutit.

"In my 20+ years as a pilot the majority of my aborted landings were due to Runway Excursions"

Tourism really is out of control, now they even have runway excursions.

Bankers need lessons in the public grovel. On second thought, I'll pass.

An excellent thought-provoking article. From Emirates first class luxury to this! They say travel broadens the mind and, Patrick, it has. Thank you.

1. Extreme wealth should be heavily taxed. No one can "earn" a billion dollars except by exploiting many other people

2. The taxes should be spent to ensure that everyone has decent housing, education and health care. The present income inequality in this country and throughout the world is an obscenity and the main source of human suffering.

3. If 1 and 2 applied, your relative would not be an object of envy and you would be in a position to develop you skills to contribute to society.

You have to love the French. They don't care what or whether their intellectuals think as long as they wear the right handmade shirts, have a really nice apartment, and a handy string of aphorisms ready to launch at the media. Philosophy lite.

Better still, don't date anyone. Dating leads to dancing, dancing to fucking and fucking to babies which we all know are the ultimate evil. Better yet, kill yourself and let your body be composted. Then there will be more room on the planet for such species as cockroaches and rats which we all know are much better than humans.

Obama was born in 1961, making him very much a "boomer".

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose"

I feel sorry for this young woman that she may be passing up finding an actual relationship while wasting her time with this guy. Or she may not be capable of a real emotional connection. It's sad.

This is right on target. A woman (or man) can sell their bodies if they want, but time goes fast and why pass up any chance of a real loving relationship and family? For designer shoes? Not worth it.

"Money can't buy me love"

"Hummer's legendary reliability"

Actually, the Hummer is one of the least reliable vehicles on the road.

No one should ever say "I love you" to anyone. It should be redundant.

I suspect that one of the major causes of addiction is isolation and lonliness, which are endemic in North American society. This self-obsession is pathological. Whatever effectiveness 12 step programs have is likely due to the social support people find in them and the opportunity they give for people to refocus their attention on others.

When will we get to see an HBO series about a woman with four husbands? Now that might be worth watching.

The real "heros" here are the designers and engineers at Airbus who ensured that the plane would float.

I doubt it. Israel is too busy right now killing children in Gaza.

I think we have to admit that, much as we like Patrick, he can be a little pedantic at times.