You know, I had a really nice day. Great spring weather, stayed away from the keyboard all day, saw the wildflowers beginning to bloom, went out to dinner with friends (a bipartisan group, some Republicans, some Democrats), heard some wonderful live music. Great conversation, lots of laughter. Full moon was shining over Central Texas on the long, winding drive home through the hills. Life just felt, well, good.

When I sat down at the computer very late, all it took was one look at this thread to finally believe that the Democratic party is set for a major fall come November. It's just gotten too ugly, too partisan, too bitter, too nasty, too messianic, too, too...everything, in here and on message boards all over the Net. Joan Walsh writes the mildest of messages about Obama - and many of you want her head on a platter?

Remind us: is this an election or an attempt at deification? Appearances would argue for the latter, in which case a great many Obama supporters can expect bitter disappointment ahead; more sober, swing voters aren't buying in, neither are strong Clinton supporters, and loyal Republicans most certainly aren't.

Pretty sad when I can have far more temperate conversations with those who support McCain than are possible with those who support Obama. In political terms, this is going to be absolutely fatal for the Democrats. It's a sort of suicide.

No, the bluebonnets aren't out yet (Fredericksburg area and RR12), but we did see some firewheels (a personal favorite) and those pinky things I want to call mallow but they're actually something else, and some of the bright yellow daisy-like flowers (have to work on the nomenclature). The redbuds are blooming, however, along with some of the fruit trees. Because of our dry winter, afraid we won't be seeing anything like last year's extravaganza, but still it's all so beautiful - pure balm. I'm sure your daughter would enjoy just driving through the hills, no? Did me a world of good!

This column in today's NYTimes by Timothy Egan pretty much says it all. What Egan posits, with cleverness but also a hint of sadness, is reflected in this very thread. Welcome to the Donner party, Democratic version 2008 :

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/opinion/22egan.html?ref=opinion

"And Obama has virtually no chance of winning the general."

The Democratic party is now being held hostage by the math. Math that was created by votes cast largely in ignorance of who the real Obama might be. In short, the Democrats are more or less stuck with a phenomenon which was fueled by...an almost complete lack of vetting of one candidate.

How many votes which were cast for Obama would not have been his had voters been more aware of his history (the real one, not the one Obama chose to create in TWO autobiographies)?

Add in two states full of VERY unhappy Democratic voters - FL and MI, which will likely express their warranted unhappiness by not voting for the Democratic candidate, should it be Obama.

Now add in millions of Clinton supporters who have been hardened against Obama by the racial smearing of both Clintons. The latter is a serious moral issue, one which Obama supporters in their zeal are totally overlooking.

Finally, consider the many millions of voters who look at Obama's resume and find it lacking under any circumstances.

Can you spell "President McCain"?

You say: "It's the lying and hypocrisy."

Yes, it is. It's also the over-intellectualized left pronouncing from pulpits equipped with figurative machine guns, most of them trained toward anyone who dares to doubt the righteousness of these self-ordained preachers, or question the extent of their real-world experience.

It's quite alright to demonize Hillary Clinton and every Republican who ever walked the earth. However, it's not alright to question, even in the mildest terms, the integrity, actions or words of any black soul who ever walked the earth.

Cardboard cut-outs, anyone?

You say: "Truth be told, and I wouldn't admit it anyplace else, I am sort of a weapons aficionado if that's the word I want.

Kate, do you know where I can get one of those? I simply must have one. Also, what calibers does "figurative" come in?"

In this case, primarily full bore - with the emphasis on 'bore'.

You say: "Seriously though, I expect these rants to be about black deadbeat dads and things like that, not pants worn too low. The former at least has some veneer of legitimacy, the latter is just stupid."

Just how much time have you spent living in inner cities? I can tell you that, at least in New Orleans, residents (and visitors) have everything to fear from baggy-pants-wearing kids. Those fears include losing your life to one of them. Anyone living in a poverty-infested inner city ignores the signs of danger at their peril. And plenty of New Orleanians - both black and white - learned long ago when to cross the street and when not to. Just like, gosh, Obama's grandmother.

Hardly every black kid with baggy pants is bad news, but enough of them are, and veterans learn to read all the signs. Know where the baggy pants style originated? It's part of jailin', just as are shoes with no laces.

Sorry, but the ivory tower-ness in here just makes me want to gag at times. All theory and no practice are not exactly an ideal formula for genuine insight.