Dear Kal Penn,

THE MOTHER OF ALL SPOILER ALERTS!

I, like many others, was totally floored by your death last night on House. It was a surreal experience, to watch the characters struggle to find the meaning behind what will seemingly remain a mystery. I knew someone would commit suicide on House this season, but I was really caught off guard when it happened this week, and more devastatingly, when it was your Kutner who pulled the trigger.

This morning I realized you were leaving the show to work in Washington DC with the Obama administration. I'm torn about this change of pace for you, though. You're leaving a top-rated show on network TV, one of the few that has held somewhat steady despite the writer's strike. I hope that you're new career path works out for you, since the inclination is a noble one. I'd just hate to see you regret not sticking with this good thing when you had it.

Then again, you've got tons of money in the bank, a recognizable face, a cult hit movie to bring the residuals for years to come, and a passion to serve. What better time to take a chance than during one of the most energizing political moments in history, coupled with the growing number of people needing help and representation? Good for you, and we wish you the best.

Just do me a favor, and don't decide less than a year from now that you don't like politics that much anyways, and join the pilot for some new show. It'd really impair my mourning process.

Simultaneously depressed and inspired,

Patrick James

Dear Obama/Biden Puppy Watchers,

It's very nice that an enormous amount of people are taking a deep interest in the fact that President-Elect Obama and VP-Elect Biden are in the market for a puppy. However....

Let me preface by saying I am all for rescuing puppies/dogs/cats/anything with a heartbeat. Take for instance my Boxer, Buster, that was rescued from a house where he was tormented by Rottweilers. Or my other wonderful Boston Terrier/Pug, Miko, who was almost sent to a rescue facility by a relative until I intervened. There's also my Hurricane Katrina survivor cat, Scapino, with a heart condition and third ear nubbin. And let's not forget the kitten, Sparrow, we recently acquired by way of a crate out of some ladies suburban.

But come on! Aren't you taking a bit far? Saying that these people would be "heartless" to do anything but go to a shelter and rescue a puppy? I mean, that's like saying... You're a worthless human being if you just decide to have a baby instead of adopting one. It's just ludicrous. I'm not saying they should be able to go to the closest puppy mill and pick them out a winner. But if they wanted a German Shepherd from the Rin-Tin-Tin line or a Siberian Husky descended from a Snow Dog why can't they do that? Seriously. I didn't hear anyone giving Paris Hilton grief when she bought a Chihuahua from Pets of Bel Air in LA. Even Barney Bush was a designer dog of sorts coming from a lineage. Buddy, Lucky, Rex, and so on and so on which of these came from your beloved shelters?

Why does it matter NOW? Why is it SO important? Can't you just let two little girls get the puppy they want without having to hope that you won't be mad at them for loving something you don't approve of?

Get over yourselves.

Love,
Irma