Oracle can't afford to [anger] IBM too much, and vice versa.

In a major constitutional case where the vice president's personal conduct is an issue, we are concerned. It certainly raises questions about the appearance of impropriety.

[Starbrand has also provided added features for The L Word first-season DVD -- a fact that David Bowers, vice-president of marketing for program distribution for Showtime Networks, says dovetailed nicely with his own promotional plans for the show.] It came out of the blue. At the time when I was making the DVD for season one, we were looking for a cost-efficient, unique way to communicate with the fan base, ... Dedicated fans want to know everything about their favourite characters, and this lets them feel closer to them.

We are double-edged blades, and every time we whet our virtue the return stroke straps our vice.

Our beliefs create the kind of world we believe in. We project our feelings, thoughts and attitudes onto the world. I can create a different world by changing my belief about the world. Our inner state creates the outer and not vice versa.

As a former naval captain, having the vice president out is a big honor for Doug.