McGrath, I think some of the original observations hold up pretty well. I noticed the other day that about 3 of every 5 vehicles in local parking lots is a gas guzzling monster, classified as a "truck" to get around emissions standards. I don't think so many people really need these things, it's just a consumer fad.

People may not actually "fight" about religion--they do--but even when they don't they seem to value fine points and divisions more than larger points and universals. But what do I know about it, I've been in jail more hours than in church.

The fun of a high horse is what one says, regardless of whatever one does. Follow-ups of lottery winners show they aren't happier and often say they wish they'd never heard of the lottery. Of course, they could give the money away, but that's different.

I love survey and poll facts and truths that come up on my computer, apparently from the Institute For Taking Things At Face Value. I read that most Americans say they don't "believe" in "God" but, Howard Stern aside, maybe some of these people just get tired of using dirty words to call attention to what they think--like Phillip Roth forbidding his lit students to say "symbol" and things like that, or Rosanne Barr deciding not to use feminist lingo anymore and just be a "bitch". It's also interesting what people don't say.