OK. I see what you mean. This reminds me a bit of a Puerto Rican poem about a light skinned man who hides his darker, more obviously African looking grand mother in the kitchen when his friends come over. He can more easily pretend and be accepted as white as long as the evidence of a more complex ancestry is not…

The one-drop rule is more complicated in US history. It was more a matter of trying to separate people with any African ancestry and to keep slaves as perpetual chattel. So as long as a light skinned black person could reasonably be connected to his or her black family and community, that person was black.

Did Cho sing and dance or put on yellowface?

Selma didn't open to wider release until this weekend, and I don't know how widely it was seen by those who vote the Golden Globes. According to a number of sites, word of mouth is extremely positive, which is a good sign. On the other hand, I had barely heard of the film "Still Alice" and have no idea where it might…

There are any number of human societies in which males dress or decorate themselves to attract women. You could also argue that various types of macho preening and display are done to attract potential partners. And of course, human beings use external objects, like a gold chain or a flashy car (or horses or cattle)…

Marsha Blackburn ain't male. I take your larger point about this attack being by "largely male senior citizens," but the sad political truth is that these pointless Congressional bills are intended to rile up the conservative faithful as we head for the 2016 presidential election.

Teens by law are supposed to be young and stupid.

Some people like a bargain even when the product is not a good value.

Some people like a bargain even when the product is not a good value.

Unlike Romney, Bush has already proven his appeal to fundamentalists and the right wing. He can gyrate all he wants from hard right to moderate. The fundies know he's got their back.

I wouldn't give a rat's ass if Jeb Bush personally officiated every gay wedding in Florida. Bush's despicable role in the Terri Schiavo matter disqualifies him from holding any public office, as far as I am concerned.

That's not quite how it works, in either legitimate or illegal credit markets. I was watching "Get Shorty" the other day. A guys betting debts ended up with another mobster. But the guy knew that if he tried the "no obligation to a 3rd party crap," he would end up with his legs broken.

You think that being a football player is fun and banks warm and fuzzy nostalgia for future memories. But you are imposing your fantasies and expectations onto the player and then are disappointed when it turns out that he is not you and may not look at his profession or his life as you would like him to.

There is no such thing as a basic media requirement. The NFL brass want games reduced to homogenized BS, with players all reacting robotically, filling their roles as product (down to uniformly wearing "officially sponsored" merchandise). And the broadcast media is forced to go along with this as part of their…

Good, if futile article. Sports media thrives on this infotainment BS, where players are supposed to answer non-questions that supposedly will "please" fans and casual viewers. I guess this crap is also supposed to take the place of righteous or spontaneous celebration.

Actually, I am not justifying threats of terrorism. But this is the real world. There are topics that the studios have and will avoid. What you think the media of various countries have a right to do is interesting, but does not really reflect actual decisions and what actually happens. The idea that the only…

It's not just about living in the USA. It is a global world and a global market.

"We have laughed at North Korea for so long. We have made movies mocking them, and touting our superiority, and chuckling at even the idea that they could even pretend to threaten us."

As I noted, some kids absolutely revel in fantasy. Make believe is their currency, how they find a place for themselves in the world.

You are absolutely right that you might have a valuable perspective. However, to suggest that a belief in Santa is a "terrible, terrible thing" is a bit much. Kids often create fantasies for themselves which they half believe, and easily give them up when they are no longer needed.

The myth that parents should not perpetuate is the myth that says "always be honest" is a rule.