Writes & Wrongs: Serial Drama

Recently I've had some impassioned conversations about the serial comma. (Yes, really.) Most of the editors I know feel very strongly about including the final comma before the word "and" in a series because it lessens the likelihood of ambiguity or confusion. (Just about everyone has now heard the example of eats, shoots, and leaves.) Others--mainly those familiar with AP style--feel that this comma is unnecessary, that it takes too much extra space or time to include it. But I--and most of my word geek friends (many of whom edit for a living)--feel very strongly about including this comma as a standard means of clarity in writing. And isn't that really what good editing is all about?