Thanks for your respectful response. I'm with you until the very last remark. I don't see government redistribution based on envy and greed. Rather I see it based on the needs of the community -- not everyone has luck, not everyone has talent, not everyone lives in a place that is valued etc. Some get sick through no fault of their own. Some lose their jobs through no fault of their own. etc. And yet all still have needs, and the more fortunate have a moral responsibility to help, especially when their own needs are already taken care of , and the state has as responsibility to act and provide the structure to allow that to happen, to provide those basic needs.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

wright5579 asks "As an aside, why do you hate America?"

Because people like you live here?

Right wing fascist nut cases. That's precisely what I mean.

I know pilots and passengers who fly regularly think people like me are nuts. I get on a plane only when I absolutely have to, and I am in sheer terror. The author says about takeoffs," It's by no means a dangerous time, but it's arguably the most precarious portion of flight." Yeah, right. Like having bombs dropped on you is the most precarious portion of a war. Takeoff is totally terrifying. I plan to die each time it happens and wonder why on earth I ever got on a plane. I have not flown for over two years now and I hope I never have to again. It's very sad because I love to go to Europe. Maybe someday I'll be rich enough to afford a ship.

If anyone thinks I was dissing or making fun of Patrick, that is absolutely not the case. I am just pointing out the terrible fear of flying I (and many others) have, especially at take off. It keeps us off planes, and if you think that is a good thing, then why are airlines in trouble? OK, so it is irrational. The fact is, that is when most planes crash. And can you tell me any other moment of your day when you actually sit and think, "OK, I could die right now." So more people pop off from strokes and heart attacks. No one lives in fear of that at any moment. But the moment of takeoff on a plane is a terrifying one. You could go back and ask those poor people on that Spanish flight if they were still alive.

You're right - and consider that the vast majority of traffic deaths are caused by two things -- speeding and drunk driving. So if you stay in the speed limit and don't drive drunk, there is no way flying is safer.

The way things are going right now, electricity comes from coal, and coal is being produced by destroying the most diverse environment in the country, the beautiful central Appalachian mountain range. Is that what you want?

If we have electric cars we should also ban mountaintop removal and get our electricity some other way.

My friend's mother has a Down Syndrome son, has been to PTA meetings, and is a conservative Christian. Why can't SHE be the vice-presidential nominee?

Oh, I forgot. She's never been the mayor of Podunk Alaska.

I have been enduring the past eight years in hopes of a new direction. But McCain/Palin is change in the wrong direction. If that ticket wins I will be transferring the savings and getting out of this country.

A mother who lets her 18 year old son go to Iraq instead of college while not thoroughly investigating the situation there, why we went there, what happens to our veterans, etc, should be arrested for child abuse.

A mother with a 5 month old child with Downs Syndrome who takes off to run for vice president should be arrested for child neglect.

Looks like a whole lot of Free Republic idiots decided to pay Salon a visit. You can go back to your caves now folks.

Let's see -- she lets her 18 year old son go off to Iraq and her 17 year old daughter get pregnant out of wedlock. My mother would have done neither. This woman can't even manage her own family, much less this country.

John, they don't have privacy any more. Palin has chosen to accept the candidacy for VP of the US. That she did so while her family has these issues just demonstrates her horrible and dangerous lack of judgment.

Can you imagine if this was Biden's family? And can you really imagine if this was Obama's? Can you imagine the crucifixion the right wing would engage in?

And let's talk about responsibility. What woman in her right mind with a 5 month old downs symdrome baby and a 17 year old pregnant daughter would allow herself to be placed in such a position? What sort of judgment does this show? Is this who we want in charge of the most powerful nation in the world?

I'll lay off this when the right leaves Michelle Obama alone.

And anyway, I am not interested in judging a 17 year old who makes a mistake. I am interested in judging a mother and father who want to step into the second most powerful position in this country, perhaps leading to the most powerful position in this country, who are irresponsible enough to place themselves in a public position at a time their daughter is going through this. And also parents who would force a 17 year old child into a marriage. How terribly sad.

But don't you know, it's only when Democrats act like this that it's bad. Then Republicans scream bloody murder. When Republicans act like this, its good and normal.

Hey GOP. Shouldn't it be God First?