"But I don't think that because Madden quoted a man who was making racist statements, that that makes this a bad article."

I agree, and I've seen the reasoning you spread out in response to my post before. You make some valid and well thought out points, but I totally disagree. My feeling is, for the reasons you describe, this nation seems to finally be moving on from the awful divisive politics of past campaigns. We, it seems as a nation are finally fed up enough to vote beyond race or gender or religion. For the most part that is. I know we still have racist lunkheads roaming the country with their oh so brilliant views on the world, which as far as I can surmise can be summed up as, "I liked it when we had separate water fountains."

Here's where you and I really part ways though. I know that there is a feeling that we lose elections because we don't reach out to these knuckle draggers. So you tell me- how do we reach out to them without losing our soul? I'd like to know the answer. See, the Karl Rove's of the world have answered that question, and they're fine with it.

I happen to feel that these unfortunate backwards thinking folk are finally disappearing from any real presence on the political scene. So ya know...fuck em. Anyone who can say in all good conscience something like-"The arrogance and all that bothers me more than black, but black is a close second," he said. "Our generation was back when blacks were the back of the bus, and it's hard to change that outlook. I just feel like I couldn't vote for him," deserves a swift kick in the ass, not my understanding. What do you really think yo ahve to say that is going to breach the divide anyway?

As we get older as a nation, we are losing our whiteness as a power structure. Slowly, to be sure, but it is definitely happening. So, I don't wish to reach out to them. You can, and good luck with that, but I think that we can finally win an election without that all important racist prick vote this go round. I may be wrong, but I'll take my chances. I guess we'll see.

Note to Democrats, pride cometh before a fall--I would buy a LOT of insurance.....

Love your optimism.

"I have to admit I'm going to enjoy my popcorn through all of this."

Dude, what is it with you and popcorn? You reference it constantly in many of your letters. By the way, as an aside, everyone here pretty much knows you're a total douchebag. Why don't you do us all a favor, and just once, try not to live up to our expecations of you?

That should be expectations. Douchebag was spelled correctly though as soon as I spelled out Shawn's name.

The first three letters of your screenname are very apt, as I lol every time I read one of your posts. Unless you mean us to take your rants seriously, in which case, that's even funnier.

I'm not sure what the point of your letter was beyond showing the world what a total and complete asshole you are.

Actually he did play in the NBA.

Just pathetic.

A typical nasty post from KateTex.

How can it be that a man can call himself one thing and be another thing to all eyes. Why would someone call themselves one thing yet be another to all eyes watching? This never made sense to me and still doesn't. How does Lieberman justify calling himself a Democrat when supporing and campaigning for the Republican nominee. Does anyone take this guy seriously?

"And ten other names. Grin and bear it. Did you know I have about 50 editor's choice to my name?"

Why would someone use anything but one? Unless of course they were either trying to enflame by pretending to argue with themselves. I actually don't know, but I'm sure you have your "reasons"

You have 50 editors choices. Is that via name one, two or nine? Collectively? Please, I can't sleep until I know, because those editor choice stars are currency here in Salon. You're like a God dude. All bow down to uhh...what name are you again?

I agree, but I don't think Obama's campaign has been about making nice with everyone. At least I didn't get that sense from his speeches. What I did get was, that there needs to be radical change in the way things are presently done in Washington which is why I think his campaign resonated with so many people. I would be shocked and deeply distressed if he was elected and reached out in anything except a perfunctory way to the Republicans.

with Ryan Malone's of The Penguins who was hit squarely in the nose with a puck and earlier I think had his nose already broken among other punishing hits. He quietly goes to the bench, gets fixed up and plays the rest of the game. Seriously, if hockey players reacted to injuries the way Pierece did they would be laughed out of the ice rink.

"Why do we need Jerry West to get jacked about Kobe Bryant?"

Well in that case it makes sense since he's the one who drafted him, and is understandably proud of how he's matured this season.