I'm a retired senior citizen who followed the party affiliation of my ancestors until the Rove/Cheney/GWB devils came along.

Today the Republican party is the evil opposite of what it was in my childhood.

There was a time when the G.O.P. opposed egregious spending, when its leaders were very reluctant to take our nation into foreign conflicts, when the U.S. Constitution and the separation of powers were respected. There was a time when Lincoln and the north were the Republican tradition.

Beside Lincoln and Jefferson and Washington on Mt. Rushmore we see a Progressive champion of the people Teddy Roosevelt. I personally believe that the true emulation of Jesus is more akin to a “bleeding heart Liberal” than a hateful, divisive, Bible thumping “Conservative” who quotes more from Deuteronomy than from Mark. Cultural wars and values rhetoric have become code words for denying rights and freedom to our fellow citizens. From my perspective James Dobson and Fred Phelps are sitting in the same boat and I would like rocking the Hell out of it.

Polarization has resulted from a fear mongering “divide and conquer” strategy

from the G.O.P. Compromise and loyal opposition are terms rarely heard. The same people who would make no allowances on abortion issues seem to turn a deaf ear to numerous poverty and health concerns. We live in a time when science, including medical science, has leaped beyond the wildest dreams of the Founding Fathers. The U. S. Constitution’s Elastic Clause is far more important to our nation’s success and to its future even now than is the “strict construction” attitude of the judiciary haters.

Thomas Jefferson was more proud of his Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom than nearly all else. He recognized that religious intolerance was a dangerous thing that had caused so many to flee Europe for the New World. The American Christian Dominionists who seek to control our politics today are in essence domestic “Ayatollahs” who threaten the essence of the Kingdom they are supposed to represent as seriously as they threaten political rights and freedoms. When tolerance for the rights of minorities is lost then Fascism follows.

Rather than listen to the voices of historical awareness and fiscal caution, George W. Bush and his manipulators (I think he's the minion much of the time) have arrogantly involved the U.S. in multiple wars at once. Protracted occupation of Iraq was obviously (to any rational person) going to be a disaster. The war has become an excuse for subvering the Constitution of the U.S. and ironically it seems to have little to do with the terrorist threat. Signing Statements and arrogant domestic spying are further indicators that we are in deep trouble from this "gang".

I admire Elizabeth Edwards. Within my own family I have witnessed the courage that can be summoned in the circumstance of cancer. Mrs. Edwards remains in my prayers. I think she was right when she said that a more dire diagnosis would probably have meant a decision to hold or end the campaign. But they were assured she has a treatable cancer. I can see why John Edwards loves this woman, who seems to have a sense of both destiny and duty. Already they have endured great pain together. To those who would criticize continuing the political path I remind them of a woman of different attitude, Mary Todd Lincoln. Lincoln's wife was moody -to say the least. Abraham Lincoln persisted in his career and his efforts for the nation despite her hadicaps and despite the loss of a child. I believe Elizabeth Edwards has a commitment to public service that complements her husband's. We may be a grateful nation for that someday.

Where's Rose Mary Woods?

The Rove/Bush gap far exceeds the old Nixon gap, so does this mean

Impeachment/resignation is pending? The offenses against the public

interest seem of even greater magnitude ( well, pardon me if you don't

agree !!) than back in the 1970s. Undermining the integrity of the election

process with a break in at opposition headquarters 7 then cover-up as compared to .....

whoa - the list is mindboggling!!!

The shooting at VT brings horror and heartbreak to nearly everyone. Knowing and loving alumni of Virginia Tech I have, like many in our nation, been mesmerized by the news coverage. I have found myself with tears and goosebumps often.

At the same time, while media speak in superlatives, I think as a historian of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 when U.S. military killed dozens of women and children. Nearly every day Iraqis experience similar numbers of dead.

We as a nation, while grieving, must not let this experience cause us to abhor aliens or Asians.

We must not exacerbate this; we must instead let it make us more appreciative of our opportunities. We must learn from our pain and make our world a better place in memory of

those we lost April 16, 2007 in the idyllic town of Blacksburg.

Audiofile had become one of my favorite aspects of Salon and I am very disappointed to see it discontinued.

I found Michael Scherer's summary amusing. I had watched the debate and could identify his references. I kept thinking "whoa, this is rowdy". But I also thought it was more fair to all the candidates in addressing the questions than the YouTube/CNN debate had been. Senator Biden essentially blew off the West Virginia's woman's question which was not wise. ( I had been thinking he was an astute candidate). Senator Clinton did come back to the Sago mine/mine safety issue.

Watching the candidates deal with the venue and crowd helped me evaluate them. Given that they were ready to start taking each other on more aggressivley it did seem like a battle arena much as Michael Scherer depicted.