Lives have been altered in fundamental ways, and later, after they acquire a more complete understanding of what goals are actually attainable, many are left facing a lot of pain and frustration. And yet, there's no culture of complaint.

Where there's smoke, there's bound to be mirrors.

The poor are the only ones who suffer. And they're used to it.

In any event, it's not exactly a secret to regular readers what my views on the war are

Becoming the new feminine ideal requires just the right combination of insecurity, exercise, bulimia and surgery.

Not only was one cartoonist gunned down, but riots erupted around the world, resulting in the deaths of scores. No one could say toward what positive social end, yet free-speech absolutists were unchastened.

I don't think so, but it's always in the back of my mind that many of the soldiers being wounded and killed in Iraq are about the same age as my kids. My godson is going over soon, so the war's about to get personal for me.