Of course, it’s well within the bounds of parody and satire, just as loudly farting in a restaurant is not illegal – and both are highly entertaining to the same caliber of people.

I only comment in this instance to offer some unsolicited but reliable advice for the future. Next time, Mr. Kaplan (and given the enjoyment they’ve derived this time around, they will undoubtedly look forward to a next time), ignore it. Next time and every time, don’t give them the satisfaction of letting them know you or your boss are even aware of it. Soon you’ll see they’ll eventually grow so impatient for a shocked reaction that they’ll even send anonymous e-mails trying to make SURE you see what ever it is, desperate to goad a shocked response. No matter – continue to rise above and ignore it.

Like the public farter, the weenie wagger and the adolescent boy drawing pictures of penises on the classroom chalkboard, the fun for them is in the shocked response. Don’t give them one.

~ EDITOR REPLIES — Pull my thumb? Weenie wagger? It’s refreshing to see at least one reader pretend to be above it all. My faith in hypocrisy is restored.

It’s always interesting to see how partisanship and gender influence cheesy ideas concerning what is or isn’t humour.

you’ll have some trouble proving libel on an april fools day post that’s clearly satire jonathan.

i suggest you head down to the lost and found, i think they may have your sense of proportion, as well as your sense of humor. and your clown shoes.

Congresswoman Tauscher is a creature of the D.C. system, and is therefore fair game for any kind of satire, derision, or lambasting; up to and including tar & feathers if required.

Besides which, anyone dumb enough to say (in public) that “we should keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those with history of violence” with a straight face needs some serious wall-to-wall counseling. Talk about a “duurr” moment… What’s next, “don’t run with scissors,” or “sticking your finger into a wall outlet is a bad idea?”