we would attack Iraq.

a boob job actually decreases functionality as in a woman with one can not fully nurse her babies...vanity wins, baby looses...allergies here we come, but my Mom thinks she's hot.

Some of the creative-version of "smartness" has already been squelched due to a growing focus on test-taking. This trend is furthered by college admissions based on test-scores and excessive AP class expectations. Art and music have largely disappeared from the K-8 public school curricula. In our terror of having lower math/science test scores than other countries, educational policy wonks have lost their focus on real education. Additionally, one side effect of pushing college-level material down into high schools is that boys, with their 2-3 year cognitive lag, are at a huge disadvantage and are now under-represented at universities. We need to restore age-appropriate learning and critical thinking in our educational process and figure out a better way to evaluate progress. Some people really do require ritalin-type therapies to become educated or hold a job, but turning every child or adult into a ritalin-driven robot is madness. Adults who choose to self-medicate in order to function better may find an advantage in the short term but the long term risks/rewards are unknown.

I get to be the tripper!

Yes, but the well-off people of SV mind being FLEECED more than they mind PAYING TAXES; have you checked your 401K recently? The GOP obtained its power to impose an Ayn Rand-style economic ideal by manipulating religious fundamentalists. Karl "I'm not fortunate enough to be a person of faith" Rove is only about power and stashing cash, not religious social values.

Everyone should read "The Inmates Are Running the Asylum" by Alan Cooper. You'll laugh, you'll cry...and I guarantee anyone that has designed hardware or software will shout YESSSS! I wish I had written the book.

well, they didn't exactly learn to fly them, more like steer them but your point is valid. Everyone should rent the HBO series "The Wire" - excellent view of surveillance issues. Oh, and start with the first season, but beware...you may become addicted as did we causing us to spend weeks working our way through 5 seasons! I guarantee you'll learn a lot about yourself.