"So yeah, I am eager to see Barack Obama get into office. I don't care about HIM, I care about the fact that he is far, far away from being one of THEM. He might not be perfect but he's on to to something, he has the right idea, and the potential for greatness is there, even if 100 things might go wrong along the way. I really want to see somebody new and different and smart and shrewd get into office. I feel like he's actually sorta-kinda on my side, like he actually gives a shit about not being a shit. McCain is McSame is McLame is McBlame and McGame and McPain and McShame. No way does that empty-principled pseudo-hero deserve to be appointed president."

Thanks again.

She still gets my goat! You used "not a U.S.A. hater" to make one of your rhymes work tonight, but dang, she villifies the U.S.A. constantly! And I'm not saying there's not room to criticize, I use my constitution to say what I want, but wow, let me just use some pop C@W lyrics to say: this is our country! I ain't buying no lapel pin. I keep trying to ignore her. And then she complains about being "picked on"? I tell myself like a mantra: don't respond, don't respond...but she's a weird formidable force. Just don't understand her obsession with American "politics" (vs. tabloid history of every ilk of politicians worldwide).

I appreciated all that you wrote tonight, politics yes, but particularly your last post. I don't have a mom or dad to hug to anymore, and I don't have a cat or dog, but I think it's time for me to go hug my sleeping husband. I related to so much of what you said in your posts through this thread---thank you, truly thank you. We deal with what we deal with, daily, and keeping perspective is ever so important, especially these days. Sending good ju-ju to your friend, to whom you're obviously a wonderful friend. That's how we get through.

Merci Mucho!

And I accept the "de nada" gradiously.

should have said "graciously"!

I just watched an interview by Tom Brokaw with Governor Janet Napolitano. What a class act she is! Smart. Competent. Popular among Dems and Reps. She's MY governor because I happen now to live in AZ (where I so much dislike a certain Senator from same).

Too bad she or any other woman except Hillary couldn't have been seriously considered for the VP spot because any other woman other than Hillary would have been further polarizing--right? Regardless of whether another woman actually had more experience and less baggage and more general populace appeal--right? But I have high hopes for Napolitano. She'd make a great Attorney General.

Meanwhile, the PUMAs versus the Clinton-for-Obama factions are losing their voices screaming at each other. I mean that literally--two factions are having a yell-off outside the convention doors. And McCain is running ads using anti-Obama tidbits from HRC herself. I can't bear to turn to Faux-News, but no doubt they're having a field day with this.

Still, I believe in free speech. Whatever happens with this convention, it's unlikely that it will be dull.

She just came out with a message saying she does NOT support the messages of John McCain. Strong.

I know you're opposed to TV, and I'm not, and all that's OK, but I really think you're missing out if you don't rent a TV for the week!

Let's agree not to debate the merits or not of TV. I understand your POV. But hey-------I also READ! :)

Don't believe everything you read!

My admonition not to believe everything you read was supposed to be accompanied by a GRIN! Reading between the lines is a very wise choice.

"Michelle Obama - Grace, class, diginty, energy and optimism!!

What a phenominal First Lady she'll be!! God she was stiking tonight. I am so proud of her."

I couldn't agree more.

Any chance you'll cover a great speech by a strong feminist, independent thinker, family-values woman? Without concern?

Michelle was terrific.

Tonight Hillary speaks. Given previews in the news of her speech's content, I hope her supporters really listen to and heed what she has to say.

The vast majority of U.S. citizens--in particular, those over the age of 40 or so--do not need you to educate us on the Kennedy legacy (the good, the bad, and the ugly). I can't think of any person hailed in any arena, political or otherwise, for legitimate accomplishments, whose legacy is perfect. Even Mother Theresa was trashed by Penn and Teller.

Me, myself, I said nothing against Mother Theresa. My point was obvious--it's rare, if not impossible, to find a perfect legacy. Everybody is free to focus wherever they want on the spectrum of individual imperfection.

You risk becoming part of THE ONSLAUGHT...whatever the heck that is.

My last words on this OFF-topic topic. Don't forget, please, that you're the one who brought the Kennedy's into an article thread about Michelle Obama's speech.

I am an American, and around 3/4 Irish in my heritage, and proud of that. I, too, have read extensively about the Kennedy's. I, too, was disheartened by many things I read, saw, heard.

You wrote: "Of course, I wanted to believe in them, considering my nationality, but a person's ethnic background means nothing to me if I discover that the person is a hypocrite."

That's logical. You drew your line in the sand that you could not cross, in your own conscience.

As for myself, I will not discredit the good that has been done by several Kennedy's, and certainly not only the most famous three brothers. I do not canonize. And now I return to my original point: no legacy is perfect. No person is perfect. I do not necessarily condone if I forgive. I hesitate to finish with this, but maybe all the good that's been done can be reckoned as doing penance or paying back?