function checkMail(email_address)
{
  var the_return = true;
  // var x = document.subscription_whoareyou.email.value;
  // var filter  = /^([a-zA-Z0-9_\.\-])+\@(([a-zA-Z0-9\-])+\.)+([a-zA-Z0-9]{2,4})+$/;
  var filter = /^\w+([\.-]?\w+)*@\w+([\.-]?\w+)*(\.\w{2,3})+$/;
  if ( !filter.test(email_address) ) {
    alert('The e-mail address appears invalid.  Please enter a valid e-mail address.');
    the_return = false;
  }
  return the_return;
}