That's what fiction writers do: create characters and do terrible things to them for the entertainment of others. If they feel guilty enough, they write happy endings.

Once a week, I am a very desperate man.

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

In Palm Springs, they think homelessness is caused by bad divorce lawyers.

Medical decisions have been politicized. What doctor wants a state legislator in his consulting room?

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.

The strips about the military do seem to provoke moving and thoughtful responses. It's nice when the strip resonates, but more importantly, I need to know when I'm getting something wrong. The last thing I want to do is contribute to the suffering that wounded warriors already endure.