Like the "bitter" statement controversy, the much-ado-about-nothing surrounding Reverend Wright is less than a non-issue.

No one cares - aside from the pundits, the Republicans and Clinton apologists like Joan Walsh. I mean, seriously, is ANYONE still talking about Geraldine Ferraro's comments? Or Clinton's "misstatements" about Bosnia?

Sometimes I think the only sanity to be found on Salon (aside from Glenn Greenwald and on the comics page) is the readers' comments.

As someone who admired Hillary Clinton in the 1990s (I still think the country owes her an apology for the Lewinsky scandal), I lost all respect for her when, at a time when could have been a great leader, she chose to be a follower ... of Bush and Cheney. Her vote for the war(s) was her greatest error. And her "If I knew then what I know now" excuse is beyond the pale. Tens of millions of people at home and abroad were marching in the streets protesting the war before it even began - a historical first.

While it is true that there were no shortage of sexist attacks against Senator Clinton, they came from the usual right wing media pundits, not Obama and his supporters. On this issue, Clinton's supporters have been thoroughly disingenuous, pretending that Obama and his supporters are virulent sexists.

I would respectfully implore Senator Clinton's supporters to support Senator Obama as their own candidate has done. Senator Obama has run a very respectful campaign and has recognized and praised Senator Clinton for her work on behalf of the people of the United States.

I would further encourage Clinton's supporters to stop pressing for her to get a spot on the ticket. I think Senator Clinton would be an outstanding Supreme Court Justice or Secretary of Health and Human Services, two roles which would have a much bigger impact than the Vice Presidency.

Clinton lost the election, in large part, not due to sexism but due to her support for the Iraq War and the Patriot Act.

Obama represents the starkest contrast to Bush, its as simple as that.

As a staunch supporter of Obama, I find it distressing in the extreme that he is choosing to tack right, especially when it is readily apparent that there is no reason, ideological or practical, for doing so. The man is trouncing McCain in the polls ... so what's with this sudden change of heart on FISA? Does he really think he needs conservatives on board to win this thing?

I'm sure there are a lot of Clinton supporters who will crow at my words and to be sure, I will never defend Obama on this issue.

Joan is right, its important for all of us, especially those who have supported and defended Obama, to take him to task for his recent actions and let him know how we feel. I still think he's more progressive than Clinton and I'll still be first in line at the polls to vote for him ... but now I'm wondering if he is as principled as I've written in the past.

I was disheartened (but hardly surprised) by his speech at AIPAC, but figured it was one of those unfortunate, albeit necessary, acts of pandering we see in all presidential elections. I'm trying to stay optimistic, but if he continues to pander to the right, its only going to make it easier for McCain to pull the rug out from underneath him.

who kidnap the kids from Beverly Hills and turn them into hardcore revolutionaries that rob banks and shoot it out with the cops.

Possible names ...

"SLA 90210"

"Commie Girl"

"Anarchy in the O.C." (or L.A.)

Tell me you wouldn't watch THAT. I know I would ....

The Ramones - "Beat on the Brat"

I suppose you could consider it "tangental" but it's still the best song about a baseball bat.

I understand what you're saying Glenn - when we empathize with others strictly on a human level, we see those moments when we ourselves have gone into something unprepared.

But I've never "cringed" or felt sympathy for right wing ideologues who, on those pitifully rare occasions, are publicly called out on their bullshit.

And when is someone going to ask Palin to publicly defend her position that victims of rape and incest should be mandated by law to carry their pregnancies to term?!?!?

I would pay money to watch her squirm over that!

I agree with the previous poster who said feeling sorry for Palin is EXACTLY what the McCain camp wants. Its unfortunate that Biden may have to "go easy" during the debate to prevent people from feeling sorry for her.

Considering her extremist views (which are to the right of Bush's for Christ's sake!), her gross disrespect for community activism and her patent contempt for the opposition, I would respectfully submit she deserves not an ounce of sympathy, but heaps of scorn.

I saw "Salo" 25 years ago. The first thing I wanted to do afterward was go home and take a long shower to wash it away. It is the most disturbing film I've ever endured, hands down.

If ever there was a film which leaves you feeling physically branded, this is it.