I can’t imagine what this is like for you, Whoopi, but I celebrate with you. As a white woman who grew up in the South during the Civil Rights movement, this is not something I thought I would live to see, either. But I am grateful to have witnessed history and to have been a part of it. This is like the sun finally breaking through after a hundred years of cloudy days. It is a glorious, glorious moment and I am soaking it in.

I’m with you, Sara. I think this is the abuse of a book with the good intention of promoting tolerance. I am curious why the author(s) have not spoken up yet. Although I’m glad the editor at Tricycle Press has. I keep wondering about the symbolism here. Perhaps it points to the power of children’s books, or the mindset of the people who want to overthrow legalized gay marriage. Thanks for telling us about this.

I think it is our unlived potential that haunts us sometimes.

I can see why Dana Perino has needed “one heck of a thick skin” but I am curious what other defense mechanisms she has had to develop to still be able to work for this president. I get it that he’s a great guy. Even Tony Blair, when asked how he can still stand behind Bush at this stage of the game said, “I like him.” But this president’s policies and decisions have wrecked our country. Perhaps the thick skin has had to come with blinders, too.

Resilient to the end.

Books truly are the answer for information overload, campaign burnout, et al. I’ve been reading a lot more than usual myself. Especially fiction. There’s nothing like escaping into a really good story. Here’s one you might want to check out, too: www.SeekingSaraSummers.com

Outstanding interview. I think it captures Michelle’s sincerity and her awareness of the awesome task in store for whoever is in the White House. The lady has class.

Thanks for putting in your link, Jane. This is a great piece. I especially liked: “Imagine singing your world into existence. Not mapping it, not five year planning it, but singing it into existence.” It is indeed a beautiful thought.

I will watch, but I’m hoping the debate will be a little less…how can I say this… beige? lackluster? bordering on dull as dirt? Forgive me, but I want to see some passion out there. Although this possibility seems highly unlikely since they both seem to be playing it pretty safe.

Thanks, Sara. I love this article. I especially liked: “when everything goes to hell, books become one of the cheapest forms of pleasure.” As an author of a debut novel just out, this gives me hope. And as a huge book lover/reader, I would love to see the rest of the world circle back around to reading more. I also really liked your call to action at the end: “Let the Internet be today’s cheapest form of pleasure, I still believe people will buy books if we publish good ones in formats they can afford.” I believe you have your finger on the pulse of where publishing is headed.

Liz, perhaps I like you so much because we both lean in the same direction. But leanings aside, I certainly hate it when someone lights into you for simply doing your job. (Where is their dignity?) I imagine you’ve got a tough skin by now, given your profession, so you probably don’t need our affirmation, but I think these posts prove that the majority of us appreciate and value your work. Thanks for all you do!

I wonder if the popularity of this show points to something positive that is emerging in our culture: women speaking truth to power. What if women are to be the new standard-bearers?

The closest I get to an other-worldly out-of-body kind of experience is when I write. Sometimes my characters will start talking to me in my imagination. Or will show up in my dreams. Does this count? I’ve often said that being a writer and also a southerner gives me the latitude to be a little nuts.

Since I used to be a shrink, my favorite is the one with the woman on the couch. Excellent work, Liza! We need your talents to supply us with a little brevity right now.

Like Liz, I haven’t really tried to figure it out yet. My partner and I will ride it out and see where we stand in a year or so. But it is turning out to be a very scary ride.