I've spent the day googling and trying to find out as much about Sarah Palin as possible, since I was shocked to learn that she's now in a potential position to be a heartbeat away from the presidency---VP to a man who just turned 72 years old!

Not only does she seem disinterested in the Iraq war and foreign policy, it's the information I've turned up regarding her family that makes me worry about her commitment to educational excellence.

Yes, it may be true that her husband didn't go to college and worked in blue collar or semi-blue-collar jobs all his life, but he says it was not economically feasible. However, that's certainly not the case with their son. Why in the world would they not have done everything in their power -- and both had good paying jobs! -- to insure that their first-born child pursued a higher education, instead of joining the military right out of high school? I find that disburbing on three fronts. One, if there were choices, why would they want to send their son into harms way when he's just 18 years old? Two, how can a mother not care enough to educate herself, when she has the means, on what's going on over there....and, potentially, on other "other theres" we might face even before Bush and Cheney leave office? And, three -- and this is the most important point -- how much does Gov. Palin care about education in general? Doesn't this politically-ambitious woman understand the importance of setting examples for kids coming up into a high-tech world and the absolute NEED for them to be well educated enough to compete and to succeed?

This isn't being written by some snob who thinks everyone should have a college degree. I don't have one. Neither does my husband. But our children (who are the same ages as Gov. Palin and her husband) do, because we knew that education was essential for their futures.

There used to be a time when joining the military afforded young people with an opportunity to learn life skills, and to pursue education goals (if they wanted) when they were discharged. But these days our young men and women aren't trained for a future job while in the military. They're merely provided with the basics (and lots of gung-ho indoctrination) and sent to a war zone to survive the best they can...if they survive at all.

We already know John McCain isn't terribly interested in making sure this country's children receive a good education, and his stance on technology advancement is abysmal. His own education background is almost as bad as Bush's, graduating way down toward the bottom of his class and somehow being proud of that! Now we have a VP candidate who, by her very actions, shows she's neither intellectually curious about what's happening in the world, nor does she seem to care about setting an example of the need for a strong, forward-moving education policy in this country.

At least, that's my thinking based on what I've learned today.

I'm so happy Del was able to be married to her life partner - to realize their dream together - before passing. If there is an afterlife, I hope it's a place where diversity in all forms is cherished.

...say NUCULAR? Omigod!!!!

But more important, I'm offended. What in the heck are the McCain people thinking when they suggest that an anti-choice woman would attract Hillary supporters to the McCain camp? Are they nuts?

I'm not sure Phyllis Schlafly - our old nemisis from the ERA days - can get herself to vote for Governor Palin. Why? Because Palin has 5 kids - one of whom has problem far more serious than having "one extra chromosome" (as I've read that she's said about her very young baby boy with Downs Syndrome)- and someone else is caring for them while she has pursued her political ambitions and now is looking to become VP of the United States.

Nor will religious-right conservative women who have been educated by their male-dominated churches and institutions -- AND dear old Phyllis -- over the years that their place is in the home...perferably having lots of kids, home schooling them to prevent them from learning about the real world, and raising them to be faithful soldiers in the army of god.

(Oh, and let me add that one article I've read has reported that Governor Palin could have chosen to abort Trig when she learned he had Downs Syndrome but chose not to do that. Folks, the key word here is CHOICE! That's what it's all about--the CHOICE to abort or not. She had a CHOICE, and other woman want to have a CHOICE, too.)

Those "Sisters of the Traveling Pants Suit" are strong women, socially liberal, critical thinkers, and committed feminists. Why would they be appeased by a social conservative, anti-choice, relatively inexperienced "replacement" to Hillary Clinton? McCain's mind - and the brains of those advising him - are more muddled than I thought before!!!!!!!

Took a break from the computer to watch Bill Clinton's speech. Clinton took on the Bush people and played up the skills of Obama and Biden. Then Kerry came to the podium to point out the differences between "the Senator McCain" and "the candidate McCain" and said "Before he debates Obama, he needs to debate himself..." which draws a perfect picture of the presumptive Republican candidate. Later tonight I expect Joe Biden to further develop the theme.

Some speakers are good, some excellent, some merely OK. Each plays his or her part.