DEAR ABBY: Why would someone make insulting remarks and then say, "I'm only kidding"? My husband constantly berates and insults me. Why does he want to hurt me all the time? Am I being too sensitive or is he being cruel? -- FEELING INSECURE IN MASSACHUSETTS
DEAR FEELING INSECURE: You're not being too sensitive; what your husband is doing is cruel. It's also cowardly. I don't know why he wants to hurt you. But the question you should be asking is not why he wants to hurt you, but rather, why you continue to tolerate it.