I think it is fair to opine that many women, as they grow older, become more asexual, outgrow old roles (wife, mother, community chest), experience hormonal shifts that are normal, and look for ways to self-actualize, become the potential with which we were born. For myself, I find this tremendously liberating. And if a few of my relationships with other women, with whom I have a much stronger identity in my later years than I did in earlier ones, are more deep, emotional, affectionate and even intimate (do not read sexual, though I have no objection to that - what others do sexually is simply none of my business, along with any number of other bodily functions, so long as it does not become a public or political cause) in a way that is often difficult to impossible with a male of any age, I think this bodes well for my vision of women everywhere uniting with one another, for bringing the female perspective to issues that males have dominated (and messed up) and for restoring a balance in every aspect of life in every corner of the globe. I suspect that the competition and emphasis we put on physical appearance are appropriate in a biological sense when we are of childbearing age. For myself, age and the gift of many conversations with many women in many parts of the US as well as in many stations in life have led me to have an admiration and respect for women that is unshakable and my whole focus in life is to be a facilitator of female empowerment and unity, leading by example of course. So, role models like Emily’s, Eleanor Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, Oprah and many, many others - many of whom we never have nor ever will learn - are encouraging and inspire me to be among their kind. We can’t all have a national stage, or even a terribly public life, but we can all give to each other the gift of appreciation for the womanliness we share, with all its power, potential and gifts. And, lest I be accused of denigrating the role of man, let’s just view this in the complementary paradigm that is everywhere evident in our physical world. Oppressed women are not able to be a full complement, not to mention the invaluable and irretrievable loss that represents. I like to believe that enlightened men would want nothing less in the females of this world.

Yes, I knew that. And the flap about Obama’s birth as well. But this is splitting hairs, don’t ya think?

Oh, I never miss John Stewart. But I’m still in shock to think that Rush does! I thought for sure that was beneath his pay grade. Hm….

“And if you don’t know who “Real America” is, it’s probably not you. ” I really take offense to this statement. I was born in American and, along with every person born in America, I AM “Real America,” regardless of my beliefs and quirks - and so is every other native-born American, including (gasp!) Rush Limbaugh. It’s that diversity that makes America “real.” As for wingnuts, there will always be zealots. I find them to be practically indistinguishable from one another. I’ve known many who are zealous for one cause for some time, then flip to the opposite with just as much zeal. Its the passion that is their opiate, in my opinion - the cause is irrelevant. (Personally, I think anyone who has to be that emotionally charged and voluble about an issue reveals a lack of security within themselves, but that’s just my opinion.) Thank god they are a minority of the whole. But it is clear that the body politic is quite centrist and that is a great comfort. Oh, and “real.”

Well, these are the sorts of issues one would expect from candidates who are not qualified for the office. What else have they got to talk about? And what has happened to the level of our public dialogue? As for the Rev. Wright issue, I challenge you to Google “McCain’s black relatives” and read the results to understand why he is not hitting this issue. A very thorough vetting of the man will reveal quite a few other skeletons in his closet - and the sources are all highly reputable. This does not disqualify him for the office in my opinion - we all have skeletons and a person with a large personality and leaderships qualities is likely to have more than a few, and large ones at that - but in today’s political climate, it is a gold mine unexplored. I am sad to see this man brought down to this level, regardless of his suitability for that level of government service (I am not of the opinion that warriors should be the ruling class but that the military should be subservient to the executive branch), but ambition is the operative word in the Republican party it would seem. Ambition, overreaching (which Sarah Palin is definitely doing!), hubris (death to good leadership as well as to democracy), Washington insider culture (of which McCain most certainly is a veteran!), lack of good judgment, any number of other words can describe a sort of malaise that has fallen over the party which must be corrected before it should position itself to assume to lead this country and be a full complement to any opposing party.

It has been said that humor is a function of intelligence. I rest my case… (Did I miss something? Were we talking about Obama? But no one said he was JFK to my knowledge and could be something much better.)

My own take, for what it’s worth, is that people like Rush Limbaugh are so myopic in vision that they cannot imagine anyone like Colin Powell who can actually see the Big Picture and make a decision on factors that are outside small and personal issues (I believe the operative words are subjective and objective, but emotional and rational might do as well). This says far more about Rush Limbaugh than it does about Colin Powell. In fact, his careful, thoughtful and thorough explanation for his choice was the very model of good decision-making - and it was quite apparent that this was not an easy decision to make. There will be consequences but he has chosen to rise above that also. We all have flaws - every last one of us. To point out that this or that person has flaws is a true no-brainer. It isn’t our flaws that make us suited to service or position, but our strengths. A wise person will acknowledge and shore up his weaknesses with others who are strong in that area. I believe we see that example in Barack Obama - unlike, say, Sarah Palin, who sets the equal and opposite example. Of course, for some their weaknesses are their leading edge and there is no compensation for that on the public stage. I will add that I fully expected to see race become an issue in this campaign because the Republicans have simply run out of good cards to play and now drawing from the bottom of the deck. This is very sad and demeaning to the voting electorate. If the African-American community were in full-throated support of John McCain, this issue would never have reared its head, even though that voting block would be ignored come January, and that’s just a fact of political life that is equally true of any other individualized block of voters. The system is by and for rich, white men (who use the military to enforce their supremacy) and it is with great difficulty that women, people of color or ethnicity or any other differences break into their ranks, but that is the only way that the true America of our much-vaunted “bring me your weary…” profession of “melting pot” is legitimized and for a much improved result. There is strength in diversity, one of the more obvious facts when one considers the natural world and studies its design and lessons. Okay, enough preaching to the choir…

Thank you, Jennifer, for this link. There is one word that defines this woman more than any other: ambitious. It is my experience that ambitious people do not question their own qualifications and/or weaknesses in their blind run at power and/or control. They also subscribe to that old credo: the ends justify the means. Therefore, lying, abandoning the family to which one gives lip service, running roughshod over lackeys, pandering to anyone and everyone who serves their interests, and much more is just the name of the game - but it is all about personal ambition and very, very selfish. These people are by no stretch of the imagination aspiring to service! And I have yet to meet even one who was qualified for the position they insisted upon having, which became all too evident if they were successful, with the casualties to prove it. I have come to think of them as bullies, so apparent in the way they act toward others, even would-be allies. I have also come to believe that these people are tremendously insecure and competitive people who find it necessary to their own narrative to overcompensate in these social organizations (you’ll always find them in the “leadership” positions in every civic and communal organization for starters - though this is not to say this is universally true or to demean the real champions of such organizations). I believe our most public example of this is evident in the current president. A tragedy for all concerned.

Since neither man wrote his own speech, what’s with this? McCain was truly funny and witty (read his script far better than his stump speeches and formal deliveries) and Obama was just so-so. What does this say about their respective parties and the talents within them? Or does it reflect who is taking the current situation more seriously? I am truly sorry that Obama didn’t get a better shake on this to offset the image of him as cool, aloof, too cerebral and the like when it is clear - at least to me - that he has a fantastic and spontaneous sense of humor when he’s being himself.

Anyone beside me seeing strains of “The Beverly Hillbillies” in this situation? These are simply not the sort of people who fit into or belong in the White House or polite society. I feel sorry for these kids, victims of their parents’ ambition and neglect. They are under so much pressure and the adults in their lives are so completely insensitive. Any responsible mother would have provided for birth control for a sexually active daughter instead of living in denial. This is rather a national embarrassment, truth be told. The Republicans hold no moral high ground in this race - John McCain’s story is pretty sordid also. Can one be a “maverick” and still take the moral high road? I would hope so.

I see The View as a perfect fit, replacing conservative Elizabeth who is equally brain dead, but without the experience or even the looks. At least she’d have some sort of record and background to stand on when she pontificates, defends her position, whatever. Okay, really - just let her go back to Alaska, fulfill her obligations there and especially FOCUS ON HER FAMILY. No woman should sacrifice her family in the name of ambition (nor should any man). Our children are our future so give them a chance - especially as we have elected to be their parents. Does that mean anything any more? I believe Michelle Obama has the edge here - and her husband is close behind but hey! he’s the one running for President.

I don’t believe you can talk of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin in the same breath. One is an intelligent, classy, experienced woman of tremendous leadership and with political savvy. The other is, well, let’s face it, a soccer mom on steroids (to use that hackneyed expression - “on steroids”). There is simply no comparison and the majority of women are ‘way too smart not to see that. We’re all sick of the control freak Sarah Palins of this world who can’t do a thing that is worthy once they get the control without which they cannot live. I have no respect for her, her values or her example whatsoever and I’m offended on Hilary’s behalf.

Clearly the classy part of the family tree went to Diana’s side… Nothin’ “Joe Six Pack” about her, thank god!

Thank you Amelie for expressing so perfectly why I take such offense at this woman’s assumption to speak for what she perceives is the “regular” guy and gal of America. Only her lack of experience with the rest of the world could lead her to believe that “Joe Six-Pack” and “Hockey Mom” describe a huge voting block of ordinary citizens who relish the thought of an undereducated, underexperienced, underexposed and over-confident woman. This is not the average in the rest of the U.S.(I mean, outside Alaska) and it is a great insult to both them and the rest of us when she talks down this way. Her sheer hubris is offensive and she reflects so poorly (but accurately) on John McCain that digging up skeletons in closets for political gain is not even necessary (and who isn’t sick to death of this totally dysfunctional style of politics - which merely masks a lack of thought, substance and agenda and makes one frightened to think of such a person in such a position). That she could so confidently and blatantly place herself above the debate process, ignoring the questions and the moderator, and boldly wink at the camera like some strumpet on parade (this isn’t a beauty pageant, for gods sake! and she is obviously flaunting her natural good looks in a sort of reverse sexism that is nasty and unfair) is so distasteful that only a sincere attempt on my part to be informed and a first-person witness kept me from turning the damn thing off. Imagine how well this will succeed in meetings of head of state, press conferences and state occasions. Frankly, she doesn’t even have the etiquette required for decent company, much less that of the Washington, DC crowd who, when all is said and done, has a cache and protocol for good reason, time-honored ones, and nothing is going to change that - not even a hard-charging, self-willed, ignorant, loud-mouthed, crass, overly ambitious woman. If she hopes to succeed in American politics, she has to go to school, as it were, and basic deportment might be one place to begin. But first she’d have to take on a dose of humility and see what is quite obvious to most others: she has a whole lot to learn about a whole lot of things!

Her name was Miss Lolita Schutt. It was a very strange name for a single women (read, schoolmarm) in Sugarcreek, Ohio at that time. I was in the 7th grade, surely a challenging time in anyone’s life. She was grey-haired and no-nonsense, but kind and gifted as a teacher. I was bright and came from a very troubled home and she tapped into my intellect and made me delight in learning and excelling. It was the best year in school I’ve ever had anywhere in any setting, including some extraordinary college classes. I’ve never forgotten her and never ceased being grateful.