Obama was sold to America with the most flagrant, dishonest, massive, unexamined PR campaign imaginable. What was his track record, his demonstrable history as both a political striver and an a private individual? Who cared? What did he actually say while campaigning? Who cared? How down and dirty was the Axelrovian maneuvering? Who cared? Who really financed his campaign? Who cared? Why was the DNC so intent on forcing him into place at all costs? Who cared? Certainly not the MSM and certainly not all of Obama fandom. Obama was Jesus Christ, Gandhi, MLK, RFK, JFK, FDR, you name it. Problem is, hardly anyone bothered to look at who exactly Obama himself really might be.

Gosh, what a surprise that the alarming inexperience, duplicity, and enormous hype might have been clues as to what was - and wasn't - coming. The reality is that his poll numbers would be even lower at the moment if the MSM wasn't still invested in protecting Obama.

By all means, let's rush through health care "reform", with very little disclosure or comprehension of what we're signing onto. Should work out about as well as TARP (propelled by Obama) and the stimulus bill (all his).

Turns out ignorance isn't exactly bliss in the political realm. Except for Big Money, of course. Too bad Obama was bought and paid for long ago.

We are so screwed.

Rachel Maddow is the flip side of the Cronkite coin. The fact that she was allowed to "helm" coverage of his death is about all we need to know about just how far downhill the (former) news media have slid since Cronkite's day. I daresay that, unlike you, Uncle Walter wasn't cheering her on from his grave. The man did have standards and integrity was the name of his game.

Bob Somerby's Daily Howler has had quite a lot to say about Maddow's performance pieces and her frequent playing to the new rubes of the "left". Let's just say Somerby doesn't exactly give her rave reviews. Instead, he sees Maddow and her ilk as accelerating a dynamic of deterioration. Cronkite would undoubtedly have seen Maddow in much the same light.

He saw himself as someone performing a valuable, vital service to the nation - the presentation of news in an objective manner without a neverending parade of fireworks, hijinks, and cheap tricks aimed at increased personal "ratings". Cronkite was deemed "the most trusted man in America" for good reason. He was one of Us when an Us still existed. He cared about whether We flourished or perished. RIP to one of the great and good ones.

Is there any end to this pointless Palin obsession in sight? Gee Suz, give it a rest!

Palin is about to become an ex-governor, a woman with no political office. Could the focus perhaps be turned to something a little more relevant, things like, oh, the ongoing sins of the Obama administration? Or is that too close to home?

I see I was spot on about your having issues having nothing to do with bookshelves and coffee tables and lingonberries. The election's over. Your guy won. And he's turning out to be exactly what some of us prophesied. If that constitutes a troll in your book, so be it.

And now back to the topic at hand...

It might be easier to pay attention to what you have to say if you were a bit less invested in the "you're an idiot" school of discourse.

I take it you have issues which go well beyond the purview of this thread. Either that, or gobs of stock in IKEA.

I still have furniture I bought at IKEA way back in 1999...

If this is your frame of reference, little wonder you nominated my post for most idiotic on this thread (while neglecting to mention the many other commenters who seem to agree that IKEA furniture is not built to last). Durable furniture made of real wood lasts far, far longer than 10 years and it can be refinished any number of times, including those times when movers ding it up.

You really think IKEA goods are going to end up at Cooper-Hewitt or the Met seventy or so years from now, lacking hermetically sealed storage? Not likely, not at all.

I still have furniture I bought at IKEA way back in 1999...

If this is your frame of reference, little wonder you nominated my post for most idiotic on this thread (while neglecting to mention the many other commenters who seem to agree that IKEA furniture is not built to last). Durable furniture made of real wood lasts far, far longer than 10 years and it can be refinished any number of times, including those times when movers ding it up.

You really think IKEA goods are going to end up at Cooper-Hewitt or the Met seventy or so years from now, lacking hermetically sealed storage? Not likely, not at all.

You've fallen for the IKEA trap: going for decent design at the sacrifice of sturdy craftsmanship and durability. Yes, IKEA offers nice, clean styles, but how many years before it all hits the local landfill? Not many, guarantee you. (Their soft goods - sofas and such - are of especially poor quality.)

Better to buy far fewer things and go for solid workmanship. This is actually far more economical in the long run.

BTW, how many on this site have ever taken the time to refurbish/refinish/renew old pieces of furniture made entirely of decent wood? I've done this many times over the years, so our house is full of legacy furniture which will be around long after we are gone. I find this very comforting.