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Many years ago when I was young and stupid (I'm no longer young) my older brother bought a Mazda mx3, I think it was, back when they still used the Wankle. After spending more time than I should have at a local establishment, when I got home brother asked if I wanted to test-drive his new little car. Out on the interstate I stepped on it. Though it took awhile to get there we were eventually going 125MPH, and still climbing. I started wondering about what kind of tires were on that car and how long I'd be locked away if we got stopped, and let off, but that was a memorable ride, for me.

Ha! Good one, 'snake!

But then a Hindu, Buddhist, or whatever probably doesn't care if he is saved.

Badges is Gold Hat to Fred C. Dobbs in Treasure of the Sierra Madres. I think that may have been Bogart's greatest acting job. Walter Huston as the old man. "Nobody messes with Fred C. Dobbs!" A whole bunch of wonderful stuff in that one.

people who dismiss out of hand the possibility of anything sinister coming from it aren't even as perceptive as the fundamentalists. An interest in the occult is often accompanied by a rejection of rationality and a susceptibility to what Jung called "psychic infection."

Well and subtly done, Sir!

You say, "real witch, wizard, and demonic names are used. Real witchraft spells are used."

What makes you think that? How would you know? As I recall them, each of the spells was an anglicized Latinish phrase that indicates more or less what the spell was for, such as levitatus upsalus or something equally silly. IF these are real spells, then I'm not too worried.

If Rowling, based upon the quote you give, is all that upsets you, then you have nothing to be upset about. The quote is from an aticle in *The Onion*. Thus the one thing about it that we know is true is that it isn't true.

Not having seen the film, it's difficult to say. However having read the book, I could suggest a few things: Harry's parents are murdered by an evil person; One of Harry's friends is frozen in a sort of undead state; Harry is confronted by a terrifying three-headed dog. That it's PG says it may *not* be a great movie for *all* kids. I know PG is not a concept that you find difficult to understand. Parental Guadance is what it means. It's fine, but you may wish to guide your children through some of the frightening parts. It's a pretty simple concept for most parents. Most parents guide their children through almost every situation, at least for a time.

Hey! That was mine! But I remember it as, "Say, Dad...uh John? You want to have a catch?" How 'bout, "But here's the thing. Neither Sam Weinberg nor Lionel Caffey is lead counsel in the matter of the United States vs. Dawson and Downey. So the only question is, 'What would *you* do?'" Another one that can be appreciated by all comers. Jessup was completly right, and he was completely wrong and guilty.