I watched in disgust how the Chinese government created the farce of freedom with the so-called "Protest zones" during the Olympics - where anyone actually applying for a permit to use them was immediately arrested.

After watching this, in Minnesota of all places, I have to wonder exactly how American democracy and freedom of speech is markedly superior. These kids weren't violent, they didn't have weapons or drugs. Nothing more dangerous, in fact, than laptop computers. They didn't even get the chance to state their political beliefs. We've gone from pre-emptive wars against foreigners to pre-emptive arrests of American citizens.

I keep telling myself that America is better than this. That for two hundred and thirty years we've striven to create a nation of freedom, of laws, and of decency.

The right wing keeps yapping about how our military is "fighting for our freedom" in Iraq. Fighting for our freedom, like charity or building schools and bridges, ought to begin at home.

Thats rich: Nominate a virtually unknown politician, whose main appeal appears to be her "family values", and then start whining when the media reports that some of that family story isn't as rosy as its cracked up to be.

Its almost too horrible to watch. Has our great nation really descended so far that this vindictive PTA dictator and religious wacko has a theoretical possiblity of becoming President?

I cannot wait till the first time someone asks her:

"How do you reconcile your history of trying to ban library books with your duty to uphold the First Amendment of the Constitution?"

Yeah Sarah - all those thousands of supporters at Barack Obama rallies are the delusional ones. Not you and your "Abstinence Only" pals. Too bad you let Bristol wear that "Drill Here, Drill Now" t-shirt. Somebody must have taken you up on the offer.

Several comments mention the "High School" quality of this speech - something that struck me also.

I'll be honest - I do not notice, anywhere, a note of genuine humor or goodwill in this woman. Certainly not the sort of playful jab that Reagan could pull off. Even GW can poke fun at himself (albeit clumsily.) Instead I saw a vindictive, sarcastic, and spiteful woman. A trait that her history of firing longtime state and local employees would tend to confirm.

I cannot see very many Hillary Clinton supporters being impressed by this woman or her speech. If picking up women voters was McCain's goal, then his Palin pick is already a failure. Did she address any of the issues that HRC supporters care passionately about? Did she even toss them a bone?

Her voice was a definite turnoff. Sorry - some regional accents work, some are charming, and some just grate on the ears. Hers is in the latter category.

For a few days the knuckledragging right wingers will be salivating about her. But they weren't going to vote for Obama anyway. And trying to convince these sorts of people that a candidate's "hotness" isn't really a very mature criteria for choosing the leadership of the Free World. But then again, these are the sort of people who claim that the food at Hooters is really, really good.

Q: What was Palin's worst mistake as Governor?

A: Letting Bristol wear the "Drill Here, Drill Now!" t-shirt.

Sarah Palin couldn't run a car wash.

Let Obama and Biden take the high road.

But maybe a few punchy little reminders about who the folks at the top of the Republican ticket really are will help Mr & Mrs Sixpack come to their collective senses.

If you'd actually take the time to look at the issues, rather than regurgitating whatever nonsense Rush Limbaugh/Fox News is selling this week, you'd realize Obama is a MUCH better option.

For one thing, unless you make over $200K a year, Obama's tax plan will put between $500 and $1000 more AFTER TAX in your pocket each year.

Wal-Mart is smart enough to know that if 95% of their customers have an extra $1000 to spend each year, chances arey'll manage to snag a decent chunk of that.

McCain's tax breaks go mostly to people making over $600,000 - hardly the sort of demographic that shops at Wal-Mart.

And posting essentially the same letter a dozen or so times, all promoting "Puma Pac 2008" is essentially spam. Decent human beings don't do things like that. This is a site dedicated to discussion.

a giant, balloon-like Putin rises up & hovers over the western isles of Alaska.

As good as the articles here on Salon are, it's comments like this that keep me coming back time and again...

We expect a certain amount of bullshit in this life: We don't really believe that buying automobile X or wearing aftershave Y will render us sexually irresistable. We know darn well that the insurance companies and credit card firms are not really our "friends." And that the words "enjoy responsibly" below an advertisement for 80 proof vodka are unlikely to be taken very seriously.

But does the McCain campaign really think the American people are so stupid as to be unable to distinguish a (possibly) well-meaning, but otherwise totally clueless, hockey-mom from someone ready and able to take on the responsiblities of President of the United States?

Sarah Palin's answers remind me of nothing so much as those of a student who hasn't done their homework. You can deforest the lower 48 to print the briefing books, but it will not, and can not, make up for a lifetime of self-promotion that appears utterly devoid of any hint of intellectual or philosophical curiosity.

This is a woman who had to ask her minister for a list of strong women in the Bible. Here's a suggestion, Ms. SquareGlasses Snowpants: try READING the Bible yourself.