Democrats cannot abandon the South. First, progressive ideas about racial equality are still needed there. Whenever I go to Charleston to visit my college son, I am disturbed by the racial divide that still exists. I cannot even imagine what it must be like in other, even poorer places in the South. Democrats must work harder to engage Southern African Americans in the political process. How about finding out what THEY want to become more involved instead of doing what WE want and being disappointed when blacks don't "join in?"

Second, we cannot abandon the liberals of the South. These are the brave people who fought for Civil Rights and who work hard to represent liberal ideas in a sometimes hostile environment, day after day, year after year.

Third, look at Virginia and Florida: the demographics are changing. Immigrants and high tech workers are changing the South. Even some of the children of Cuban Republicans are becoming Democrats.

We cannot do what the Republicans did and "write anyone off." We must remain the inclusive party -- the party of ideals and ideas. That is the way we will grow and continue to succeed.

I will admit right now - I did not read the article. I cannot read Ms. Paglia without really wondering if I will lose my mind. Can anyone who calls herself a "feminist" be such a sad, cruel, clueless and willfully ignorant creature? I choose to believe she is mostly a Contrarian who likes to shock people and doesn't really know WHAT she believes in. Or, maybe she really IS a sociopath or narcissist. Whatever. But, the most perplexing thing of all is why Salon keeps giving this pathetic creature a platform for her drivel when it is obvious Ms. Paglia mosly needs intnse therapy.

To Muslim women, I tell you the same thing I tell to Christians, when they try to thrust their religious "rules" upon us: separate the secular from the non-secular. For a passport photo, you must show your face, for the rest, well, it is up to you -- the difficult part being "up to you." Feminism in the US is still going through battles like this. Do you WANT to stay home and raise your kids? Does society REQUIRE that you stay home and raise your kids? Is that how you were raised; is it your CHOICE? Is it a POLITICAL statement? Is it a PERSONAL statement? What is BEST? Should the mothers who stay at home be offended by those who do not? Should mothers who work outside the home feel superior or be scolded?

These issues are complicated and may never be satisfactorily "solved." Feelings about the veil are even more difficult to discuss and dissect because they are currently mixed in with hostility toward extremist Islam and by bigotry toward Muslims in general -- as Golden Boy shows so abundantly in his posts.

I do not understand how any person who calls himself or herself a Democrat in the state of Connecticut can possibly THINK of voting for ANYONE who has done the kinds of things Lieberman has done. First, he "broke the rules" to run against his own party's candidate. Now, he will not even pledge to caucus with his own party if he is elected after his "spoiler candidacy."

Do you understand, Democratic voters of Connecticut, that it may well come down to ONE caucus vote for the Democrats to take over the Senate? And, from what I can tell from this article, it looks as if Joe Lieberman could well be "sold to the highest bidder." Lieberman could blackmail his way to almost any Senate position he wanted to get his "Caucus" vote.

This is the man who was given one of the highest honors his party can bestow: he was asked to became our candidate for the Vice-President of the United States. And, now, he wants to play "Let's Make a Deal" to caucus with us in our efforts to make sure we take the Senate back?

Kick him to the curb, Connecticut Democrats. That is where he deserves to be!

Ok, Adrienne...it was only a bit of female flesh and a bit of light-hearted fun, you say? It would have been fine if there had been a few "dancing boys" for the female attendees to enjoy also. Otherwise, I say, "Right On!" to those who said, "Shut it down!" I had a boyfriend who regaled me with stories about conferences in the days before "mean feminists ruined things." Nights out at strip clubs, "models" at dinners, heck, even strippers at the events themselves! Well, suffice to say, the "boy" did not remain a boyfriend long and I can see why, even a modicum of unbalanced sexist "fun" can get on the nerves of mature people.

I am sorry, but how can anyone say that two people who are so obviously out of tune sexually should even consider staying together for ONE MORE MINUTE? Do you want his heart broken from her cheating? Or maybe, their home wrecked by divorce and their children shuttled from house to house -- spending Thanksgiving with Dad and his new wife and Christmas with Mom and her latest fanny spanker?

With two people who are so amazingly physically incompatible, you are asking for trouble if you stay together and try to "make it work for love." True love and, perhaps, later, a family -- children -- deserve two people -- parents -- who adore each other emotionally and physically. Who satisfy each other's needs at the most basic level.

Now, do you leave someone if he has been a wonderful lover for 10 years but becomes too ill to swing from the chandeliers? Or get upset if your wife has 2 little ones under the age of 4 and is less keen on the acting out the Kama Sutra lately? No, of course not! Sexual excitement will ebb and flow. But, if you start out with the same attitude and values, your sex life will bring you closer together over time and through the vicissitudes of life.