"I try to leave girls with a sense of empowerment," she said. "I am not saying that sex toys are the answer to anything. [Instead], it's a way to tell girls they can be happy on their own and teach them sexual knowledge and learn how to feel good."

And today's generation of young people - sometimes referred to as the "hook-up generation" - see women's sexuality in a different way than their parents did, said Sawyer, who has been teaching HLTH377: Human Sexuality at the university for 22 years.

"Women today are different," Sawyer said. "Today they are more assertive and open about what it is they want."

In fact, the popularity of these sex-toy parties could be just one example of the increased openness of women and their views of sex.   more »

All across America you can hear a high-pitched whining sound. It's the progressives again. The 2008 presidential election was supposed to be the return of the Authentic Left, the revitalization of a slumbering progressive majority that would transform the United States into an Aquarian paragon.

One by one, the progressive candidates, the liberals, the lefties, all dropped out, ignored by the press. The last to go was John Edwards, who is about as liberal as the bowler hat - but at least he's not a Stetson.

The poor fellow found himself unable to get a moment's media time, than which nothing else matters. So he folded up his platform and went home.

Who is left to vote for? Who shall we choose to lead our metamorphosis from 19th century feudal empire throwback into golden land of love and renewal? Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.   more »

"As we hope you appreciate, we kindly cater to your limited capacities and sensibilities by framing elections around trivial and childish matters of candidate image, identity, and personality."

"We don't want you to tax your limited and overwrought minds with difficult matters of policy and governance.

"We want to help you vote for the right kind of politicians you find most likeable, pleasant and fun - kind of like the 'American Idol' show to which you shall momentarily be returned."

"As part of this mission, we employ an army of marketers, researchers, data-miners, publicists, and image consultants to help you understand which one of the presidential 'Idols' makes you feel best about yourselves and your glorious, business-run Nation State."   more »

Arianna Huffington [the queen bee] exemplifies how far liberal websites have moved right in their support for Obama.

It is now impossible to discern any difference between 'progressive' web media and the mainstream media. Both have gone gaga over Obama.

Arianna Drools: Watching Sunday's Obama rally in Los Angeles featuring Oprah, Caroline Kennedy, Maria Shriver, and Michelle Obama, I was struck by a point that both Michelle Obama and Maria Shriver made but that is rarely discussed during a presidential campaign:

The importance of having someone in the Oval Office who can inspire us to tap into the better angels of our nature -- who can stir people to expect more of themselves than they otherwise would.   more »

Tuesday's address by Clinton was far more lyrical than any she has so far given, full of references to Emma Lazarus and rhythmic invocations of those Americans "on the day shift, on the night shift, on the late shift with the crying baby ... all those who aren't in the headlines but who have always written America's story."

Clinton staked victorious ground by aiming her fightin' words not at her opponent for the Democratic nomination -- whom she briefly congratulated on his Super Tuesday victories -- but at the Republicans with whom she hopes to tangle in November, making particular reference to John McCain by chiding those "who see five years in Iraq and wonder, 'Why not 100 more?'"

Clinton got a little New Deal-y, talking up the rebuilding of the American infrastructure and a revamped GI Bill of Rights that would allow veterans to go to college, buy homes and start businesses.

And she tugged on the heartstrings of the women who, if early exit-polling data is to be believed, helped ensure her more-than-respectable Tuesday showing, by invoking her mother, "who was born before women could vote and is watching her daughter on this stage tonight."   more »