People still find it hard to believe that pregnancy can be fatal, that abortion is safer for the mother than an average delivery.

Not directly. Before the 20th century, oysters were a traditional part of the Christmas diet, in America as in England. Sometimes they were eaten by themselves, but there are also recipes for stuffing with oysters. I think the card's referring to the oyster part of Christmas dinner.

Well, after the Code, but still out there. Muttered: "I'll take the cake and give you the bird."

Or else retired Hank advises a company about propane cars — two great tastes that go great together! He is shocked by some of the habits of the younger guys, but finds their mechanical geekery cool. He occasionally sneaks in a pathetic plea for propane grills.

I like his culture and pop culture essays, from his piece on the seaside postcards to that on "good bad" books, "Raffles and Miss Blandish," Dickens, Kipling, and others.

Orwell's essays are great, and everybody should read them, but there are some things there which irritate me. There's an insane streak of bravado. And in the background, there's still the idea that violent revolution is the only thing to ultimately change the country. I don't know if he had changed his mind before…

He wanted the whole world to look. (But the meter's off.)

We need that commentator with his imaginary daughter for a counterpoint.

A vow of poverty is more profitable.

"It’s a bit like Alicia Silverstone handing out asparagus at Baconfest."

On Saturday Night Live.

There's some great British SF as well, as well as British children's SF. I love John Christopher.

I agree with you on sadness. Brevity . . . sorta kinda. "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" has a number of short songs, except for "A Day in the Life." But the thing that makes it "Sergeant Pepper" is that they are *all in one place*. The theme album forgets its theme: there isn't much about performance. But…

I used to love his plays. (Well, it was either those or _Death of a Salesman_.) I cooled once I learned about his Fascist sympathies.

It's TVP, textured vegetable protein. You rehydrate it and put it in your favorite sauce. If you cook it just right, it has the mouth feel of meat; not enough and its mushy.

Cole slaw is good. _Andrea Romano_, in contrast, can never get enough praise.

Because the space werewolf is _from_SPACE_! That's a qualification, isn't it?

Sings: "And I only kiss your elbow . . ."

It may not have been as rational as that. All through the Confederate propaganda, and with racists today, the card is "let's protect our women."