I’m guessing you don’t know many conservatives—because though I may not have thought she was ready—neither did I think P Obama was/is. I think she could be President—at some point, if she does the right things. An advanced degree from an Ivy League University does not make you special or necessarily smart. (I dated a guy from Yale for 5.5 years—I know.)

Friends, Let’s face it—they will both be gracious. Actually, they probably have quite a lot in common—both ambitious, both polarizing personalities within their party, both small children. (If you don’t think P Obama isn’t polarizing—ask the 57 million that didn’t vote for him.) She is quite a good speaker and without any pressure, I’m sure she’ll do quite well. Just because she has an accent—like a big part of America—does not mean she is a country bumpkin. Unfortunately, most of you can’t be objective because she bugs you so much. I’d like to see some of you liberals be objectively gracious for once.

Hmmm—of course, the liberal agenda isn’t exactly a success. Look at projects, welfare, birth control (doesn’t seem to stop abortions), etc. I’m guessing the answers are somewhere in the middle? I knew you probably didn’t have little kids, because you have lots more time to research than I do.

Yes, I am tempted to actually call the IRS and say that—or maybe the treasury secretary’s office myself. Of course, I’ll not get away with it—but I’d like to hear their tapdancing in the background.

Ha, ha—DeB I’ve got to ask. Do you not like or respect anyone that is remotely conservative? I thought you were a more of a libertarian, but you seem sold out on the liberal agenda. Now granted, Sarah and George are lightning rods—but is there anyone?

Hi Belinda, I agree with you on this. If she is contacting the press, she needs to stop (though I do believe she was “hounded” during the election). I’d like to see her get involved in other ways; governing AK, studying hard on international/national politics, and commenting or getting involved in politics—but no more talk of children, comediennes, etc. It’s over—I’d like her to start anew. Now I know she bugs you big time. But she could potentially have my vote in the future if she does her work to become more knowledgeable internationally and continues to be a positive force for conservatives.

This is so wrong, I would go to jail for not paying my taxes—$34K error? Doesn’t that guy have an accountant? Is he smart enough to be Treasury Secretary if he can’t either do or review his tax return? It’s dissappointing that Pres Obama cares so little about it—so much for him having honest government. How can we “rebuild trust and confidence” bringing in someone who is not trustworth enough to pay his taxes. Note their were Dems that voted against him too.

I know lots of people who want to adopt—and they can’t because there are very few children to adopt in American because of abortion and it is so expensive ($30K and up). And our lenient adoption laws make it very difficult. I have two friends recently who lost their promised child—even after investing money—because the mom’s changed their mind. I had another friend who wanted to adopt a baby (she couldn’t have any) from a pregnant women who was going to abort—she already had 3 children. But the pregnant woman chose to abort instead of giving her baby to my friend—it was heartbreaking. (We assume she would rather abort the child, then have someone else raise it.) I’m sure if the pro-choice folks knew more pro-life folks and vice versa—the argument would be more civil. I have lots of friends that have had abortions and I took a friend (when I was 21) and paid for her abortion. That was a turning point for me. None of those instances were because of rape or incest—just convenience. Maybe you have a close friend who’s had an abortion because of rape or incest, and I can certainly understand how you would abort a child from that situation. But that child is still innocent, no matter how it was conceived. And many people would love to adopt that child—if that women would only make that choice.

I want to respectful of what you are saying—but most of the people I know think of their child as a human being before they are born—even if they are pro-choice. The unborn baby is a human being, regardless of whether it can reason and make choices. Again, the child isn’t given a choice. Of course, I don’t think P Obama should do things only I agree with and neither should have P Bush. But this is a site for debate, isn’t it? Or is it a site where most just want to hear their own view repeated? No answer is perfect and neither is any Pres. But I think this particular executive order is controversial and P Obama should have been more thougthful before doing it. Also, I don’t like executive orders for any Pres. There is a vague place in the constitution that talks about a Pres power—but I don’t believe it includes overturning laws. These executive orders give a single person too much power. It’s great if it’s something you like, but what if it’s not?

Very interesting—thank you for sending. They certainly would understand the perspectives of torture victims. Now that that is settled—what should we do with the scumbags that want to kill us—how do we get the information out of them? Actually, I really don’t want an answer (I have to cut myself off and get something else done). But I hope that P Obama can keep us safe on our homeland, find Bin Laden, etc. without “torture.” I don’t like most of his politics, but I truly want him to be successful in this.

I do believe a life begins at conception, but I am very sympathetic and understanding to those pregnant by rape or incest. In fact, I believe abortion is wrong—but I love all my friends that did it and am not judgemental towards them. And you are right, war is often waged on children (typically unintentionally), but our government didn’t take children to Guatenamo and torture them, of course. I know that is a small detail and this is a big subject. I admire you for being consistent in your response towards life. I wish more on this site felt that way. The “right to choose” is such a lightning rod to most liberal/progressive women that they approach it with little symphathy towards the unborn child. So now it’s my turn to maybe to be more sympathetic towards those we find as our enemies.

DeB, I disagree with your first paragraph—agree with the second. Not everyone agrees that torture cannot bring reliable information; there are different sources. Yours would say yes, mine would say no. But either way, if you morally agree that hurting anyone for whatever reason is wrong, then there is no option—even if many more are in danger. I also agree that the Bush Adm let the above countries move towards nuclear weapons, while trying to fix Iraq. But I think both are a threat; we can find and potentially destroy the threats in a country like Iran, if we had to (or at least the leaders). But the terrorists are everywhere, harder to identify, and harder to find. Obviously, we won’t agree totally on this—but if P Obama makes this stand to treat our enemies in the highest possible manner, then I believe he should do the same to everyone (including the known innocent unborn children.)

Interesting point about anti-abortion compared with war. I would challenge you back with the same argument—why are so many on this site (maybe including you) so against war and “torturing” humans, but are not against taking the life of an unborn human. If you are right—then we both are wrong. (Ps. I know lots of women who have had abortions—some very well—none were because of rape or incest. They were all because of inconvenience—wrong guy, wrong time, extramarital affair, etc.)

Yes, humans outside the womb deserve protection, food, etc. just as the unborns do. So I’m assuming some of this money goes for good and some for encouraging “family planning.” I’m good with birth control, but abortion changes the game. There’s not a good answer for this if an organization serves those with health care, food and education—but also supports abortion. Honestly…I would be okay with this if they would also offer spiritual-based counseling with alternatives to abortion. Maybe they do, but I doubt it.

I agree with Liz. And there is nothing easy about being President—period. And it’s not just P Bush’s mess he fixes—it’s Congresses and presidents of past. He needs to slow down and put out a stimulus package that makes sense. Wow, the Times doesn’t it like it—disturbing. It is not just the right wing who are saying he is “the Messiah”—I’ve women on here saying he will go down as the best Pres in history—what? He just started a few days ago. We have no idea what kind of president he’ll be.