America, the greatest democracy in history, possibly undone by some misguided belief that each of us has the ability to be leader of the free world. Ironic it's not the "communist", spare the rod, feed the kid's ego liberals that are that naive. These conservatives reject the son of a single mother, who went to, and excelled at the most prestigious universities in this country, who was embraced and respected by some of the best and brightest minds in this country for his ability to grasp the complexities and nuances that so many issues possess. He is an elitist for being smarter than most of us. It is a mindset that will destroy us if it persists. And if the last eight years haven't stopped the growth of this destructive belief, I don't see what could.

The idea that so many would want someone "just like them" to be President of the United States of America is simply troubling. Yes, I grew up believing I could do it, and that was enabling. But I grew up. I matured and learned that while I could do a million things, there were people around me that had the unusual gift to lead the most powerful country in the world and I lacked it. Maybe I wasn't born with it, maybe I didn't work to get it, but I didn't have it. Nor do 99.99999% of us. George W. Bush didn't have it. As I read about Sarah Palin, it became clear she doesn't either. Look at the dissent in Alaska. Look at how she dealt with it. Look at the cronyism, the misleading statements, the hypocrisy. These people don't know who she is.

It's a beautiful thing, as I listened to African Americans, to other people of color around the world have a burden lifted off them. I cried all the way to work this morning. It's was like bonus points...a competent president and such uplifting side effects. Blacks in this country are not naive, starry eyed people. They understand racism didn't end with the election. It was more a matter of promise and pride for their kids and grandkids. It won't change things overnight, but it will make a huge difference, I will bet, in the aspirations of those kids not yet oppressed by reality. Not to be sappy, but it's about a whole new batch of hope. It's a new dose of self-esteem for their kids. I want to savor it - I want them to savor it....come back in a month or two with your reality. After the last eight years, we need to just enjoy

They will raise our premiums. They forgot to mention that one. And you know what? They will probably raise them higher in the absence of a bill because their pool is shrinking and they are paying for those newly joining the ranks of the uninsured. They are being utterly disingenuous.

I can see arguing against an escalation but to eviscerate Obama for not exiting quickly is, I think, naive. There are thousands of women in Kabul and elsewhere that have come out of the closet, so to speak, to embrace democracy and women's rights. When we pull out these women will be beheaded in the football stadiums. There will no longer be schools for girls. It will be worse than had we never been there. I applaud Obama for weighing all of this and for exploring every option. And yes, Americans will die while this occurs and that is tragic. But the tragedy that could occur if we pull out on principle? Bad as Bush.