Pee is probably the least harmful weapon in the entire Middle East. As a parent, I have been the recipient multiple times and did not find it deplorable, reprehensible, or barbaric. I wonder if those making the comments found the time to use the same vivid terminology when "insurgents" were slicing off the heads of blindfolded captives and laughing while they did it.

If your son needs help to buy the house, that to me is an indication that, especially in this economy, he is perilously close to not being able to carry the expenses of being a homeowner. Or perhaps he's looking at houses that are too expensive. As a retiree myself, I'm very much aware that what I have is all there is - I won't be ever earning another dime. It makes me very cautious about investments that might be significant losses. And helping your son buy the house could be a significant loss.

If you look at present and past times and places where abortion is illegal, it's the abortionist who is normally penalized. There is no legal penalty on the woman.

The Islamic world is basically stuck in very old history times, with tribal warfare between rival chieftains and with constant scheming by those you call extremists to topple the old leaders and take their places. Incidentally, this world does not value things like forgiveness and understanding. It regards those who exhibit forgiveness and understanding as weaklings. America's only obvious ally in the Middle East is Israel. All the others are much more closely related to each other than they are to us and they will cheerfully discard their alliance with us whenever that alliance has outlived its usefulness.

Great article, Michelle. For years now, I have dreaded being in discussions of racism because when I wouldn't agree that the "oppressed people" needed more welfare money, more college acceptance preference, more workplace preference, etc, etc, then I was denounced as racist. Color of skin obviously trumped color of character. I thought when we elected a Black president, that the racism stuff would go away. Talk about wrong! So I'm just so delighted to see articles like this. Maybe Martin Luther King's dream will come true after all!

I just went on the USDA comment site and put my big fat NOOOOO. The link to put in a comment is http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS-FV-10-0008-0501 and the comments are open only until the 9th. So hurry!

Obama doesn't seem to realize that every single punitive contact from the government to an employer, such as the new program will make, further drives up the cost of business. As it is said, the process is the punishment.

If Obama and the rest of the administration had simply kept their mouths closed, they would not have ended up with egg on their faces. Just because news organizations want to sell newspapers and get viewers doesn't mean that government officials are obliged to answer their questions.

This mother was a TEACHER in training. She had all the skills needed to make sure her children learned what they needed in order to be ready for the next grade and high school. She could have taken care of the problem on her own personal initiative. Instead she decided to steal. In my book that's not OK, especially since she said she would do it again. Not someone I would like to see teaching my grandchildren.

Historically, dictatorship is the norm. Democracy comes in different ways to different places. Unfortunately, this civil breakdown in Egypt is not likely to produce democracy. The most likely scenario is a seizure of power by a radical Islamic group, which means they will also control the Canal and impose Shariah law. Not a good prospect for us or for the population of Egypt.