You have cited a miniscule amount of data, nothing substantial. Two or three miscreants do not extrapolate to an entire group of people numbering in the millions. Are you absolutely certain no one supporting McCain has done the same thing? Your neighbors have the right to chant or whatever. If they were in violation of local noise ordinances, you should have reported it. Just because you don’t like their political choices doesn’t make them creepy groupies or abrogate their right to express themselves. I think the “aggression and groupie fixation” has blossomed in your perspective far beyond what is really there. I’ve seen nothing so far that surpasses the mania for JFK back in 1960. Exactly how has Obama’s campaign been sexist? Exactly how were votes tampered with? When was the race card played? From what I’ve seen, Obama has soft-pedaled race a great deal though many others have jumped on it. Exactly whose reputation has he ruined and how did he do it? Changing one’s mind in light of more information is not flipping. I would far prefer someone who can make a seriously considered change due to updated data than someone who is too obtuse to realize that his or her position needs to change because it is no longer valid. Exactly how has Obama played dirty? Does this mean the half-truths and innuendos promulgated by the McCain/Palin camp are clean? And I mean that folderol about “palling” around with terrorists which has been pretty well debunked. So what if he’s on TV or has weekly fireside chats? There’s nothing new or inherently wrong in that. In fact, it’s preferable to being kept in the dark. Weekly exposure would leave the president, whoever it might be, open to public examination which is ultimately to everyone’s benefit.

The heading reads,” Loud-Mouth-and-Loose-Lipped Palin Owes Obama an Apology for This One, by Margo Howard.” There was a comment that Palin owed no one an apology. I stand by my remarks. Making unfounded or misleading accusations is low down, petty, childish, unintelligent and shows a complete lack of class. If Palin is so intelligent, why doesn’t she stick to the issues instead of spreading rumors? Doesn’t she understand the issues? Sorry but i don’t feel that sophomoric statements show any class at all and Palin’s statements about Obama are definitely at that level.

Well, was it kids playing pranks or not? Did you go check? Some Obama supporters probably do get out of hand. Same thing can be said of McCain supporters. Just because some people are behaving like hoodlums in your area doesn’t mean that all Obama supporters are hoodlums. There is nothing to back up your contention that hope has turned to hate outside of localized misbehavior. There are millions of Obama supporters so this sounds way out of proportion.

She certainly does but she has neither the intelligence nor the class to do so.

And this came from where? She still has shown no ability to function competently at national level. If she has all this defense experience, why has it not been played up by the McCain campaign? That suggests her experience in this area is insubstantial. Being briefed on something doesn’t mean she understands it. She stated, clearly and unambiguously, that she felt Alaska’s proximity to Russia and Canada qualified as foreign affairs experience. By that standard, I have better foreign experience because I’ve actually visited some other countries. If she’s supposedly so sharp, why does she keep making such stupid remarks in interviews and why does she talk in circles to the point she’s unintelligible? If she’s so smart, why has the McCain campaign kept her close and tried to control the media’s access to her and invested so much effort in coaching her? Could it be because she’s out of her depth? She has been the governor of a state with a population less than that of San Francisco and it’s possible that she has abused her power egregiously. Her political career started on the Wasilla city council with about 1000 people voting. (Her first term, she garnered 530 votes to her opponent’s 310, less than my high school’s race for student body president.) I question the quality of her executive experience. Sorry but your rebuttal sounds too much like politically slanted hogwash. Obama’s association with Ayers has been vetted and the conclusion is that there was no close relationship, nor has Obama ever expressed any sympathy or agreement with Ayers actions and beliefs. They did not and do not “pal” around. As far as his pastor is concerned, there’s no evidence that Obama agrees or ever has agreed with Wright. While I would personally prefer to see more experience in Washington, Obama has over 20 years in various aspects of public service as well as a distinguished career in law. His experience is roughly similar to Lincoln’s and I believe he has the character and the critical traits needed for the presidency.

Accusing Obama supporters of being thieves is the kind of childish pettiness you claim to dislike. Are you sure it isn’t a bunch of kids playing pranks by taking the signs?

Being good looking is not an accomplishment, nor is being active in life. As far as I know, she has one college degree that took her quite a while and several schools to complete. There are many women in this country taking care of disabled or special needs children and, while I admire their hard work and perseverance, that doesn’t make anyone qualified for high national office, nor does having a good marriage have anything to with one’s qualifications for anything. Many women have had to face the hard choice to abort or not but that doesn’t make them ready to run for national office. I don’t begrudge her the accomplishments she’s made on a local level in positions that have no where near the challenges and complexities of the position she’s running for, even though there has been some discussion on how she attained those positions and what she has done since gaining them. What causes me to question her intelligence is the fact that she has repeatedly demonstrated that she has absolutely no basic understanding of the world outside of Alaska, its complexities, subtleties, problems, dangers. She doesn’t know what Hamas is, she doesn’t know what “Achilles heel” means (something I learned in fourth or fifth grade), she appears to be incapable of responding to a direct question with a well thought out answer. She looked like a puppet, mouthing someone else’s words during the debate. I really don’t think she has any clue in creation what she’s could be getting into. I also don’t want someone who’s fighting for McCain and her party. I want someone who will fight for all Americans and represent us with gravitas and wisdom, two characteristics that Palin not only lacks but probably doesn’t understand. Her strength frightens no one. Her ignorance and tunnel vision do that in spades. If Biden (I believe Balin is a character in one of Tolkien’s books) made mistakes on how Obama and McCain voted on issues, please specify which issues and provide links or something so we can all check for ourselves.

Just a few words here from someone who is from Middle America, is middle class, educated and has had the opportunity to live in various parts of the country. First of all, who is Joe or Josephine Six Pack? If you are referring to the Midwest or to the middle class, you are in error. People in this country aren’t that easily pigeon-holed. I resent simplistic labels that show complete ignorance of the facts. Another thing I wish would be taken into consideration is that there are many non-parents out here who pay taxes and vote and have many of the same fears and concerns as parents. It’s tiresome to be glossed over as though one doesn’t count unless one has children. I don’t have any issue with those who do have children, but, frankly, I don’t see how being a hockey mom has anything to do with one’s fitness for public office. While many serving in public office are parents, I don’t think that’s the primary qualification. The references during the debate (Biden)/soliloquy (Palin) to fearful parents while ignoring those who aren’t parents is just plain rude and insulting. We’re all citizens, all voters, all Americans. As for the comments about Gov. Palin, if she can’t handle it, she should stay out of the fray. Everyone running for high office makes himself/herself a target for criticism, like it or not. Stating one’s opinion that Gov. Palin is inadequate to the task doesn’t mean I’m resentful of her or anyone else, nor does it mean I feel inadequate myself. It also doesn’t mean I’m bashing her. I’m stating my opinion that she is a poor choice and would be absolutely the worst possible choice for any high office but especially for one so crucial as the vice-presidency. I feel she would be a very poor representative of the U.S. on the world stage. If you feel that’s bashing, well, you’re entitled. But I have to wonder if you have a really good grasp of the issues. Her folksy ways, while obnoxious, are not the point. She has no substantial qualifications for the office she’s pursuing. I would prefer that Obama had a few more years in his current office but, in spite of that, I think he’s the best choice we have. He’s better educated, has more substantial experience, has the wisdom to team with those whose experience complements his and has maintained his curiosity about the world around him, always learning more. He has also run a cleaner campaign than McCain, so far, in my state. I’ve lost a lot of respect for McCain. He started by running on the issues and staying out of the muck. Between his choice of running mate and the lowering of his standards in many of his campaign ads, I just plain lost respect for him. One last point - exactly what do you mean by “elitist?” I really don’t quite understand what you mean. Is it anyone with education? With a differing opinion? Of a different political persuasion? What makes Hollywood “elitist?” Or New York? Or any other place? I would really appreciate a definition.

What real world? Not the one I live in.

How far back are you talking when you refer to the “good ole days?” The sad fact is that people have lived next to each other with no interaction for decades in some places. There is a phenomenal variety to this country, all kinds of people, neighborhoods, social strata. Making any kind of vague, general statement is fraught with risk. I remember neighborhoods in the late 50s where kids didn’t go out to play and neighbors didn’t know each other and didn’t care to. Today, there are still places, towns, neighborhoods, where people look out for each and are kind and decent. As my grandmother, who lived to age 96, once told me, “I lived in teh good old days and they weren’t so good. There’s a lot that was but there’s a lot that’s better now.” The “good ole days” are a myth, a wish for something that never was. Read “The Way We Never Were” by Stephanie Koontz (sp?) and you’ll get the idea.

Smoking cessation is not in any way as serious as possible dementia and really effects the smoker and those nearest him/her. Smoking wouldn’t necessarily result in poor decisions for the country. Dementia could cause untold problems for all of us for who knows how long.

What debate were you watching? Biden was strong, well versed on the issues, answered the questions, stated specifics of Obama’s platform, conducted himself with dignity and treated Palin with respect. Palin, on the other hand, decided not to answer questions if she didn’t like them (a rather childish habit, in my opinion), had no clue about anything that was not in her script (a blatantly obvious script), actually had no in-depth knowledge or understanding of those issues that WERE in her script, gave out only glittering generalities about McCain’s plans and acted like a thirteen year old schoolgirl who’s all excited about being on TV. She talks about respect but doesn’t seem to feel respect for anything or anyone. She most certainly did not draw blood! I give her props for not being as bad as I had expected but I still feel very strongly that she would be a disaster in national office.

I live in “flyover country” and have for many years. In fact, I live in a very small town, actually, a village, and Palin would be laughed out of here, too. People in “flyover country” are not stupid or poorly educated. Your inference is insulting.

I’ve only been coming to this site for about a month, maybe less, but, frankly, Star, you’re the one who comes across as snake-mean. And “sisterhood” is an overused and, to me, meaningless catch phrase. If you don’t like it here, you’re free to go to other sites, or none at all. The key element I find here is that there is considerable intelligent discourse and not simple regurgitating of party slogans. That may offend you but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Again, no one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to linger here.

Linda, I think you misunderstand what is being said here. Palin’s mispronunciation and her generally low class behavior are symptomatic of deeper concerns. Perhaps if you go back and read the comments again you would see that the real concern is Gov. Palin’s lack of respect, real respect, for others, her thirst for power, her lack of depth, genuine knowledge and compassion, and her overall unfitness for national office. There are some tongue in cheek comments but, so far, I’ve seen no fanny slapping. And no matter where her father or anyone else was sitting, the folksy wink was tacky and she should eschew that sort of behavior. She also needs to clean up her language skills. I took a double major in college, English and journalism, and there is no way in the world she would have earned a degree with such poor English. She certainly did not come out smelling like a rose. She delivered her scripted material like a good girl but there is no substance to the woman. I doubt seriously that Biden was charmed but he was smart enough to mind his manners and carry himself with dignity and decency. As for sounding catty, when you finish the milk in your saucer, you might want to reconsider that remark.