What the hell is wrong with this country? When this is done by white men, (which, by the way, it usually is: Colombine, Oklahoma City, the Amish School), no one targets white men...but heaven forbid a minority does it. This sort of overt racism -- clearly deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of this country's people--saddens me almost as much as this horrible massacre. For shame.

To post this video, without comment (only insinuation), is a page right out of the Clinton playbook. And we wonder why some people look at certain women and say they are bitchy, snarky, passive-aggressive etc. This is beneath Salon, and quite frankly, I think it's probably beneath you Katharine.

How about calling a spade a spade --- I have called coworkers hon, friends sweetie, and the gardener buddy. I am not sexist, I am not desperaging...I am simply trying to be nice through familiarity. Is it smart to do as a nominee? Probably not. Is it fair to insinuate there's more to it than that? Definitely not.

Sincerely,

A woman just like you...

After seeing all the incredible women who came out to promote and endorse Barack Obama's candidacy last night-- including a truly powerful and almost perfect speech by Hillary Clinton herself -- I find it difficult to look at the so called PUMAs and other Democratic holdouts as anything other than what they have shown themselves to be: RACISTS. That's right, I said it. When you have so many strong and powerful women making the case for how a vote for Obama will preserve and expand the rights of women whereas a vote for McCain would simple turn back the clock, no woman can, with a straight face, say her reason for not voting for Obama is still because he "stole" the candidacy. Clearly there is more at play here -- and whether they admit it or not -- that more is sheer, blind, and ugly hatred. Shame on them. I don't know how they sleep at night, or tuck in their daughters, knowing their misguided vote, or lack thereof, could put all of our futures and all of our rights at risk...

Rebecca -- -- there is probably no good way to present this but I do think it is an important point to make. It is clear from your article that you are not married. I do not say this to be hurtful or condescending, but to be honest. A marriage is a partnership like any other in some ways (contractually binding, requiring legal involvement to escape etc.) but also unlike any other in some key ways. First and foremost, it is completely fluid and undefined such that, while you enter the union with some idea of what is expected, the roles, responsibilities, perks and hardships are not written in stone at the onset. These twist and turn as life unravels before you -- offering unexpected opportunities, unforeseeable tragedies and inconceivable joys. Through strong communication, a healthy understanding and appreciation for compromise and a deep mutual respect, a married couple approaches all of these life events differently, coming out on the other side altered, perhaps a little less like the person they set out to be.

I believe that this is what Michelle Obama is currently facing. Her husband has just achieved a life's goal and is asking her to make certain changes to accommodate that. The fact that she makes these changes willingly, even gladly, does not and should not reflect poorly on her simply because they epitomize traditional female roles. Rather, within the context of a marriage -- in simple terms: they have made a deal. This is his time for this, her time for that. Neither role is without value, neither role is beneath the other -- both contribute to the wellbeing and balance of the whole. In a healthy marriage, both sides recognize that it is in fact a long life, with plenty of room for two people to achieve their individual and mutual goals, provided that they support each other in different ways at different times.

Michelle has not changed into a momma, she IS a momma and, for the time being, that role will take center stage as her husband's professional role peaks. She is no shrinking violet--of that I am sure--and if this was not ok with her, I have a feeling that would have been communicated a while ago. He too will be making a sacrifice: time with his girls, no less valuable to him, I'm sure, than any number of hours spent with foreign dignitaries. The beauty of marriage -- when it's really good --is that both people sacrifice, but neither feel the pinch because the whole...the very foundation of their union...is strengthened as a result. This is missing from your article and I thought it important enough to bring up.