Free Republic

AS A FORMER NASA astronaut training manager responsible for crew training for shuttle missions, I was not entirely surprised by the initial reports of the sad, bizarre case of Lisa Marie Nowak. This isn't the first case of astronauts having difficulties in their personal lives. Usually, the straying astronaut simply resigns or retires, and everything is hushed up. But being charged with assault, attempted kidnapping and attempted murder is far greater than anything I ever observed or imagined could occur. Perhaps this tragedy will bring some of the agency's long-ignored problems into the open. First is the tremendous and unnecessary...

Every few days or so on FreeRepublic, those of us who follow the Common Culture and its focus on sexuality start complaining about the clothing in the local stores that is available to children. Mothers and fathers here complain about the trashy, sexualized clothing that little girls are sold. They complain that there are no others choices. Well, I don't know about you folks but I COMPLAIN. To management. Each time I cannot find modest, decent clothes. It takes at most, five minutes. Each time I shop. And I expect I will get results. For each person who complains...mangement extrapolates...

<p>HEMLINES may rise and fall with every passing season, but jeans just seem to keep falling. And falling. And falling. Denim that actually hits your waist - instead of your hips - seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur.</p>