Crikey

The media meets the pregnant man. By the time Thomas Beatie, “the Pregnant Man,” strode across Oprah Winfrey’s stage, his story had already become a worldwide phenomenon. He’s now delivered a baby girl. We got a media circus and late-night punch lines. But there’s something missing, say some transgender advocates — more respect. — Salon

Testing out America’s torture techniques. What more can be added to the debate over U.S. interrogation methods, and whether waterboarding is torture? Try firsthand experience. The author undergoes the controversial drowning technique, at the hands of men who once trained American soldiers to resist—not inflict—it. — Vanity Fair

Belief, too, can start with a bang.  The idol talk of radical atheists misunderstands the meaning of God. Fascinating look at the philosophical, scientific and other arguments put forward by athiests against the existence of god. — The Australian Literary Review

A copy editor at a business journal reflects on a breakup.  First-quarter reports released this week show that Allison’s reading activity more than doubled, to 47 percent of daily life, spurred by significant losses in the spooning and kissing sectors. — McSweeney’s