You comments about the workplace and being 40 are right on. The reason I know this is because the law firm where I work defends the companies who "shaft" their personnel who reach that 40 death mark. And yes, they do get rid of these individuals who are 40. Scary stuff.
My other observation is that things in Iraq have been pretty quiet now that the world is focusing on Terri. Praise to God that I am not reading about troops dying on a daily basis. My bf was joking that the media is not killing our soldiers anymore.