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Today's strip (Aug 6) can be called, "Why Ted is Usually Single"...

Susan R, AZ

Do people still use the word "henpecked"?

Les G, AL

A very, very Wise Man once told me "Always give 3 compliments before you make a citical remark." Imagine Elly saying "Sweetheart, thanks for remembering the fence --it slipped my mind! You're good with tools, and it's gonna look really great --- But that Outfit? YECHHHH!!"

Anna M, Winnipeg, MB

Ellie better watch out!!! When Teresa wanted Anthony to change his clothes it was a sign that they're marriage was on the rocks! But we know that John and Ellie have many years together like this ahead of them!

Kirsty C, Dearing, KS

Where does Elly get off telling John how to dress, anyway?

Monica, CA

I caught up on Coffee Talk today. It seemed that all I read about was Farley abuse. So, I went back to the two comic strips in question (May 31 and August 2) and re-read them. I didn't see anything that resembled abuse. A look of horror on Elly's face? No. It looked more like concentration to me. As for getting Farley to quit barking, it looked like Elly was telling him in ways he would understand. There was no abuse in either strip. Let's get on with life, people. Stop being overly sensitive.

Tracy B, Denham Springs, LA

Maybe the tendency readers' have of taking this comic "too seriously" stems from the fact that the entire cast is based off Lynn's REAL family and friends?

Sasha

I don't understand the folks who are complaining about 'harsh' criticism of the strip, and then following it up with a list of real world problems that should have our attention while we just enjoy the 'light' comic strip without a critical eye.

In the end, we read For Better or For Worse because we like it. In many -- if not most -- cases we've liked it for years. (I can legitimately say I've liked it for decades.) We get passionate about it. And, yes, as things change our passions get enflamed. It matters to us because it's been a part of our life for so long. We know these characters inside and out. And what happens in the strip has an impact on our day, like any cultural touchstone.

Criticism is not a bad thing. It is a necessary part of feedback that lets the powers that be know what their fans are thinking. This doesn't put them under any obligation to follow the criticism, but it informs them. When they go too far in one direction or another, and it bothers a good sized group of people, it's absolutely in their interests to know that before they just stop reading.

When I read the Farley strip, I was a bit taken aback as well -- it pushed beyond comedic exaggeration for me. That's stuff that's useful for the folks in charge to know, since I clearly wasn't alone.

If the only time we're allowed to feel passionately about a strip -- or comment on that strip -- is when we're touched or moved by something as powerful as Farley's story or Lawrence's story, then there's no point in having a public comment area. Wanting to stifle commentary you disagree with leads to everyone walking away, and that doesn't serve Spilling the Beans, For Better or For Worse, or Lynn Johnston.

Eric B, Fort Kent, ME

When I say just a comic strip it means just that. I have read a good book that has made me cry or mad. The strip makes me laugh at times and cry at others. But when you sit there and say animal abuse or how John is horrible at times, you have to look at it for what it is, a comic strip. It just seems petty when people tear apart every little thing. Lynn does the strip for peoples enjoyment and she has dealt with anger from people. Just look at when she brought up the gay issue. But instead of always tearing apart Lynn for her strip we should congratulate her on all the years that she has been there giving us entertainment. Again Lynn thank you so much for all that you do and I will continue to read no matter what.

Noel B, Midland, MI