Reading in bed is the heighth of luxury for me, too. Don’t need a snack, or anything else. Just read “Good People.” What a page-turner! Needed something to rid my brain of presidential/vice-presidential candidates. What a wonderful escape. Of course, the election and our country’s perilous finances are big problems. I’d like to know if our candidates, and other politicians ever read “escape” books. If not, they should. Perhaps they could get their brains in gear for what lies ahead…sort of, kicking back, get a fresh outlook and then back to the real world. Think that might work? Well-written books can act like a reawakening, and a joy to read.

Sometimes we need to be jolted by the outrageous to get it. Michael Moore hits us over-the-top, sometimes stretching the truth. Hey, whatever it takes to awaken all of us slackers. We have a tendency to go with the flow. It’s not easy to sit up and notice who needs our help. Yes, we have a great country. Yes, we are free to speak out. But let’s speak out about what is important…important enough to show how we cherish others. Health care for all…a minimum wage that’s realistic…decent education for all…and most of all a tolerance for others’ opinions.

The book and protagonist both sound intriguing. Whether we admit it or not, we’re all curious about the famous, and reading is 100 times better than lilstening to the gossip. I’ve got my name on our library’s reserve list. I respect all writers. Having done some writing myself, I’m aware of the demands. Perhaps Sitttenfeld it will open my eyes to the “fictional” wife. Can’t wait to lie back at night, with propped up pillow and sink into a good read. Thanks Lesley

Mugs: From what I’ve been reading, I’ve been much too generous re: her mayoral stint. I stick to my depiction of her as a Karl Rove incarnation. She appears to be a puppet. Let’s see what words they put in her mouth next. But the sad part is that here’s a woman who is letting herself being used. That’s the take I have on her. What do you think?

I couldn’t help being aware of Palin’s sophomoric tone. The only thing she didn’t say was….Na-na-na-na-na-na. I guess the part that galled me was her comparing herself to Hillary when she made her remarks about the glass ceiling. Whoopi you nailed it with her. (By the way, it’s secede…for what it’s worth.) And that’s another of Palin’s wacky ideas. From the bridge to nowhere to making Alaska a sovereign nation…too much. McCain has hired an attack dog who doesn’t have the intelligence to pull it off. As a female Karl Rove, she’s almost embarrassing to watch. I’m sure she was a great mayor of that town, and just beginning to be a governor, but vice-president??? Please.

There’s a lot of meat in many of the comments. However, MWNHNMc is not only long-winded, but gets carried away with her own voice. Hateful, nonsensical words only serve to anger some and cause others of us to just disregard any good comments she makes. Has anyone checked out the website which shows MSNBC’s interview by Pastor Rick (can’t remember his last name)? He has a church in California-and just wrote a book and made millions. He asked Obama and McCain almost identical questions, interviewing them simultaneously. Obama, in my mind, shined. McCain turned some questions into a platform for his history as a POW in Vietnam. Of course, it was a terrible time and for others like him. However, as is his habit, he panders to the crowd. With Palin, I believe he pandered, with his change on Choice, he pandered, and now he has suddenly become “saved.” I suppose all politicians can’t resist the temptation to look good to the audience that is there. Wonder what will be his next “reawakening?”

How true. I still have two letters that my grandfather wrote back to my mom about what a “naughty” baby I was…[didn’t sleep well…what’s new?]. I save many of my children’s letters, and sad to say, not so many from my granddaughter…ah, modern times. When a taught a college course a few years ago, the students were terrible writers. I gave them a letter-writing assignment. I told them to write to a friend as if you’re talking to them after not seeing them for a month or more. Give them your news, ask them theirs. I required proper English, spelling, etc. They grumbled, but they did it. I promised a good grade. They amazed me. Earlier their writing assignments were abysmal. Believe it! They more or less blossomed with this. You’re so right. This was before texting. It’s probably the death knell for those long, breezy letters with eloquent sentences. And forget proper spelling.

Recently someone mentioned that their cat woke them up at 5:30 a.m. each morning. Our Ms. Buffington (a beautiful orange point Siamese) was doing the same thing. Cats never forget a discipline, believe me. I was too enduring, but my husband just shoved her off an said, “No.” We made sure that she had some dry food before we went to bed, and it took a few times. Now, she comes in when she hears us stir. She’s also a keeper, and we endure some of her quirks, but not that one!

I just had the time and opportunity to read all the opinions, some rambling, some rude, others incisive and interesting. Of course, I’m disappointed that Hillary isn’t going to be our candidate. And, yes, she should be at the convention and treated as all other candidates who were recognized for their accomplishments in the run for nomination. What’s the reason to suddenly change that? I, like so many others, hope and pray for a complete turnaround for our country. Please, please, out with the old and in with the new. Four more years with a bellicose administration whooping it up for War, is unbearable for us. Our soldiers, our economy, our country is bleeding. Let’s stop it! Obama is our candidate. We must get behind him to win!

I wrote two letters to our editor (St. Pete Times). Accused him of sexism and “hating” Hillary. It was so obvious. Of course, he didn’t print. He did print some that didn’t take him to task. Sexism against Hillary was rampant. My younger daughter and I are disgusted, as is my husband. Another daughter is in Obama’s camp. I’ll vote for him because I must. Can’t have John McBush.

Don’t I know it. Being short - 5’2” when young, now, in my dotage, barely over 5’, I always wore heels, and when in style, narrow pointy toes. Now, I have that ugly name “hammer toes.” I’ve had surgery twice, and should have another, but probably won’t. My advice to younger women…don’t be seduced into thinking we have to elongate legs to please. Just feel good about yourself..be clean, well-dressed, and smile a lot. That’s about the sexiest way there is. And, if not, let ‘em go suck an egg!

how obama can equate his devotion to his grandmother to his ambivilance toward his pastor is ludicrous, if not naive. White or black preachers who spew hatred are intolerable. Come on now, he beams with fairness and kindness, but then allows he and his family to be subjected to rantings…I’m disappointed to say the least.

Read article in St. Pete Times today. Whetted my interest. Hope to contribute and pass the word. Am a fan of so many mentioned. Let’s keep this going.