"Cranking the heat to reduce the cooking time will leave you with a burnt outside and an under-done inside."
"Using sugar to take the edge off a highly acidic sauce. Just put a damn carrot in it and let it absorb the acidity instead of covering it with a new flavor."
Sounds like you're doing it wrong. Line a baking sheet with foil, lay out the bacon in a single layer, and pop it into the oven. If you like chewy bacon, start with the oven cold, turn it to 400, and cook 15-17 minutes. if you like it crispy, start with a hot oven and 12-14 minutes. no splatters, ball up the foil afterward for easy cleanup, and done.