I thought Obama's comment was sympathetic. He merely said that he understood why people would feel bitter and cling to things that they feel hold eternal truths. Why is this bad? because he used the word bitter? Is there anyone who doesn't know someone who has been squeezed out of a job? I certainly have been and know many more people who have. Do we begrudge them for feeling bitter?

Here is a better question: why is Hillary Clinton still in the race after her (and Bill's) serial lying all these years, but most recently, the preposterous Bosnia-Sniper impertinence? Why is there so little objection to her public mien of being against the Colombian Trade deal, while the Clinton Cabal works for and gets paid well to promote it's passage?

Is it really acceptable to elevate someone to Presidential candidate, who's only defined platform is the perpetual alibi?

Chancellor Merkel is built like a soprano, but has the face of a linebacker. So, maybe her motive was redirection as much as allure. I enjoy women's breasts but I also enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of a beautiful dress. Carving out the center of an elegant gown merely draws attention away from the unlimited potential of a sly smile and a brilliant turn of phrase. A billboard sized commercial for big boobs is also an inadvertant implication that there isn't much else of interest.

Joan, nice provocative video!! Interesting responses.

It is down to character now. It is only the straggling undecideds who are looking for a defining moment. They are now drifting to Obama as Hillary's perpetual story and alibi platform collapses under the weight of relentless media exposure. I will make references to two other writers: Peggy Noonan (who I love) and Mike Lupica (who I can't stand). Miss Noonan published a pre-obituary on Hillary's campaign in the Wall Street Journal. She promotes a theory that Hillary will leave soon, because she has hope of returning down the road. Maybe in 2012 (wow, doesn't that date seem stunning?) or possibly as an 'elder stateswoman' in 2016? Peggy says keep an eye on the wardrobe. Her next campaign will start with a switch to skirts.

As for Mr. Lupica, he has caught the essence of the Clinton campaign with a sarcastic spin on Hillary's 'shooting lessons from Grandpa' that took place behind that Pennsylvania cabin. Lupica said he expects that in her next speech, she will detail how, during that sniper fire Bosnia landing, she had to be restrained from picking off snipers with her Pennsylvania 6 shooter! It captures so much of the Clinton(s) mistrust.

As for Obama, he is such a fresh, decent person, compared to the trash that has run for office, winning and losing, over the past 16 years, that it is incumbent on any challenger to at least meet his standard of political decorum. Hillary has failed and that is the root of her demise. It would have been easy for Obama to shrug of the 'bitter' comment by saying he 'misspoke himself'. He didn't. Why give it equal weight against Hillary's 'Bosnia Fantasy'?

Oh Mercy: other than beating me to the Anthony Scaduto reference (his book sits on a shelf across the den as I type), a very enjoyable post.

Cabdriver: nice stuff.

Glass: sorry, your half full, and of yourself.

I will order "A Freewheelin Time" tomorrow. Dylan mentions Suzy in his own book which absolves her from any perceived gold-diggery. Writing one's own memoir is a free and cathartic experience and requires no purchase of 'rights'. Beyond that, the author's only obligation is to provide entertaining information. For those of us who were at least youngsters during a time that pretty much bookended the Kennedy Administration, it is hard to not be curious when even a minor character of that scene returns, bringing a unique, proprietary insight to the backstage goings on. Dylan, Van Ronk, Ian and Sylvia, Phil Ochs, Pete LaFarge, all there? Can Suzy recapture for us "How the Weather Was.." as Roger Kahn titled his collection of essays, published right after "The Boys of Summer". I will read and learn.

A trip to Greenwich Village these days will not find any Dylans, or Richie Havens or Mimi Farinas. My son is a guitarist. He has played a few clubs in the village, but, there is no community. There is no sitting backstage or in the parks, swapping songs and stories. Music is now more gadgetry than chords and poetry. Clubs care about head counts and who can you bring with you?

Then again, there is no Mickey Mantle way up in the Bronx. No Red Smith in the NY Times to tell us about him. No "West Side Story" or "Lawrence of Arabia". No Murray Kempton in the NY Post to comment on our time. No Robert Frost. No John Kennedy.

Next week I will discover whether Suzy Rotolo can bring those shadows back to life. See if she can get beyond the easy nostalgia. For many of us, we have shied away from speaking too often of those days when we were all young and full of possibility. We have heard from our parents how great things were when they were young. Still, I want to feel again the things that gave Suzy that great smile on that cold, snowy day in 'the Village'. It is easy to be cynical today. We carry the scars that come with lost dreams and hard bills, and it's easy to think back and believe that 'Freewheelin' was a better 'Time'; but, it doesn't mean we can't be right.