None of us is safe until we're ALL safe from various abuses,

irrespective of color or creed.

Well, unfortunate as the information is, I needed and am glad to have it. Thank you.

Although I hold myself blameless for having repeated that one remark in the past, it no longer charms me because of the source. I used to adore James Woods, too. In his own way he's brilliant. But when I saw who he supported in the last election cycle, I ran screaming into the woods! I've always felt that an artist's work should be considered apart from his/her personal beliefs, but some gaps are so wide and deep that my reach in that department falls far short of my grasp. I don't care if that person might be 'smarter' than me. Too much is too much. And the smartest person in the room isn't necessarily going to be right, especially considering the many types of intelligence. What's saddest to see in public or private life is when a good liberal turns archconservative in their later years.

BTW, I do delight in pointing out to Ronnie Raygun fans that he and John Wayne were both admitted members of the Communist Party in their early Hollywood days. No doubt because it helped their careers, but still... most of their fans refuse to believe it. Not that I have anything against the CP either; a number of my close personal friends IRL are members, and they're my friends because they individually happen to be lovely people. I agree with them politically in quite a few ways, proud to say.

So you've kept closer watch on McRaney than I have; is that any reason for my quoting him once when

he amusingly contrasted two words to be jumped on and immediately lumped in with him in all sorts of ways? That's a very shallow cheap shot. I might agree with someone on the best steak restaurant in NYC, and quote our similar thoughts on the subject; does that mean we're joined at the hip? Hell, no. I don't like people seizing on the flimsiest pretense in order to smear me with their ever ready broad tar brush.

Now that's the last I want to hear of it. If you keep talking, it will be to the wall because I'm done listening to this garbage.

'Inside the privacy of one's home' doesn't really exist in a communal building. Smoke, noise, and

other noxious pollution travels. If one apartment in a building harbors rodents or cockroaches, you can bet they don't remain at the original source. Same with smoke. I didn't notice any claim of living in a separate house. Even then, crammed as close as houses are in many large cities, they almost might as well be apartments. My statement stands.

On the last Veterans Day, I - the only known lefty in miles - was also the only person on my block

to hang a flag. The teabaggers couldn't be bothered, but they'd gladly beat me over the head with their own flags or maybe bibles, for not mimicking their politics. I've also noticed that while they like to attend rallies and wave the flag, they spurn the true meaning and turn it into a symbol of hate.

IF she didn't actually say it, you can damn well bet she thinks it. I've heard her say worse

with my own lyin' eyes.

I hope they pull it and then chew the hell out of the writer.

That's what gives religion in general, fundies in particular, a bad name.

I rather like David Letterman's occasional theological outbursts. If you haven't heard one, they generally go like this: "God IS love. So God loves you. He can't NOT love you, because he MADE you. Stop worrying already! It's going to be alright."

All we really need to know.

Oh, come now. That was a low blow. I quoted him because he had a funny way of expressing an idea.

(Are you referring to the actor, btw? I haven't ever checked his background.) Do you find violent porn conducive to psychological health, then?

And btw, you forgot to charge me with feminism. Not every person with a shred of religious feeling is a RW. Or were you saying I'm the authoritarian lefty? Just because I don't condone rolling in antisocial filth? In general, I can't respect your knee-jerk scatter gun response.

Do you also demand the right to appear naked in public whenever you choose, or to crap wherever

the mood strikes? Etc. Maturity and responsible citizenship involves a bit of self restraint out of consideration for others. Would you like it, for instance, if someone poisoned the common water supply or your neighbor felt it was fine to let his dog bark constantly or crap where it felt like it? I think not. Grow up. 'Smoker's Rights' is a crock. If you want to pollute the atmosphere, go buy and ruin your own completely separate dwelling.