Carol, I couldn’t agree with you more; thank you for expressing it so well. When I saw the title of the piece I thought exactly the same thing-why is Tom Brokaw commenting on what is appropriate “thinking” for the women’s movement. Palin has set women’s rights back a century. And as a “woman of the West” I can tell you that I don’t get her or her views, nor do any of my family members. She is a caricature of a powerful, talented and articulate woman, which is a shame because we have many talented, articulate women in politics.

Words to remember as we face the difficult challenges ahead. Thanks for the reminder.

Hi countrywoman, You never fail to express the heart of the matter in an articulate and eloquent way. Thank you for your thoughts. We will know on Tuesday and then maybe we can discuss all the issues we face, which, in the meantime, haven’t gone away.

Oh Liza, that is just laugh out loud funny. And so, so, so true-IMO! I hope the fine residents of Alaska will help with this issue-dare we hope? I feel as though all the ground that Hillary Clinton covered could be lost if Palin is seriously considered as a candidate for any national office. Oh my!!

Hey Frannie, haven’t been here in awhile, good to read you and everyone else. I agree with you about NAFTA-badly crafted and enforced. However, i have to say, having worked in commercial banking on the West coast throughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, that the jobs started going overseas three decades ago. As soon as it became apparent that non-union cheaper labor was available-poof-the jobs started to vanish. I also agree that CEO’s, unions and government lobbyists and consultants and the financial industry got very greedy and now we are all paying the piper. The bigger reality on the tax issue (IMO) is that we are in a fix and we are all going to have to pay some to get out of it. Otherwise we will just pass the whole mess on to our grandchildren. I am voting for Obama, because I think McCain has a cold war mentality that is dangerous in this day and age. i also think his health care plan will advantage welathy people and punish lower income folks, who are trying to care for children and buy groceries. Tax credits for health care premiums don;t do any good if there isn’t any income to offset. We do desperately need jobs and I think the green agenda is the way to go. Just MHO. Peace

You got it mary lou and to the extent that investing requires confidence in the mechanisms, we are far from having it all straightened out. Those who abused and profited should be penalized.

“Joe the Plumber” is another Rovian artifice, which must substitute for actual ideas and policies. The McCain campaign is devoid of an ideology, they are just jumping from device to distraction, because Republican leadership had been discredited over the last eight years. Witness the massive defections of respected and intelligent Republicans from the McCain camp. And so many others are ominously silent. I take this as a good sign that the nation is coming to it’s collective senses and understands that we are only going to get out of this ditch with some non-partisan common sense.

Liza, You are so right; perhaps we should all get some counseling before voting. I find myself shaking my head so often now after watching the news or reading on the net. Do you think there is any way we could get the 15% of the American people who think we are going in the “right direction” in the same room? I have a few questions for them.

Countrywoman-“you and me and democracy”; sounds like the start of one heck of a good country song. I agree; just throw it all out there, no matter how ridiculous or untrue or mean-spirited, and see what sticks. That’s the Karl Rove political polka! And by the way, in case anyone was worried, I am qualified to say these things because I live in “one of the patriotic parts of the country”-Texas. CO-It isn’t about Obama; it’s about whether we are going down the road of intolerance and fear. This is a new world, in a new century and those of us who recognize it are not only patrotic, but we are the hope for America’s future.

Where Rachel is different from so many of the other political news types is that she isn’t afraid to examine new information, including her own opinion. She doesn’t just chant from cue cards and seek to inflame people for the sake of ratings. She seems genuinely interested in finding answers that further a reasonable discussion. And she is downright funny! You rock Rachel!

Deni, I saw that interview; she is amazing. Wouldn’t she make a great VP. Articulate, reasoned and knowledgable, what a combination. She would make mincemeat of Palin in a debate. Gee, I would love to go see Lily-are you still thinking about it? Let me know. Have you seen the news about the report on Troopergate from the Sate of Alaska?

Kat, I was thinking about the same movie just this afternoon (It’s a Wonderful Life) and think you are exactly right. We have to get back to investing in each other and our mutual communities and families. It is no accident that some of the most successful lending and banking in recent years has been done by community organizations who lend to local entrepreneurs to start small businesses, jump starting the economies of very poor neighborhoods. These loans have a 98% payback rate, unheard of in todays banking industry. I thought it was so funny that we thought of the same movie in reference to this financial mess.

I agree, she is very readable-not dry. I have always read a lot of history, one of my favorites is David Halberstam and also McCullough. So many-so little time. Who do you recommend? What are you reading right now?

Beth, I know how you feel, I feel that way sometimes, too. But most of the time this feels like a safe island that I can retreat to. I look for Lily and Jane’s threads and the posts of you and Serena and Josie and Phyllis and Mo and Mugsy and everyone else-you know the usual suspects. I have been at work and didn’t see your response to my earlier post until this AM. I live North of Dallas and have experienced the same issue, being for Obama. I joined a group (online) of Democrats of North Texas and there are only about 25-30 of us. Mostly I get emails from the national campaign. But I have actually seen a few yard signs around my neighborhood recently-yea! I saw Sarah (on Daily Show?) and thought the fireside chat idea was great. Where are those leaders now? We wowers must stick together and find our own leaders, if necessary. Peace and grace to you, Elisabeth S

Serena, I saw you on the “venting on the economy thread” and hate to see you so stressed and down. I wanted to write, but was so tired and frustrated with all of it, that I wasn’t sure I could add anything constructive. Maybe still can’t, but…! I agree with Rho, the sixties were definitely different, there was plenty of anger at the status quo, but overall a feeling of hope that we could change things for the better. And the more people that stood up and said, No More!-the more hopeful it felt. There is a really good book called “Do You Believe in Magic?” (can’t remember the author-sorry), that is a wonderful chronicle of that time and what happened since. I still carry that “we can change things” spirit in my heart and I hope that is what is happening now. The forces of entrenched power are strong, but in some ways, I believe, maybe “they” are getting a bit of comeuppance-well deserved! Don’t give up, I hope that we will come out of this current mess (the war, economy, government for sale and bitter divisions) more united and determined to have a society “for and by the people”. When I read at WOW, I am convinced more than ever that your generation has what it takes to see us through the difficulties. Hey, we still have Nanci Griffith’s music, right? Hope you are doing well. Elisabeth S