I'm actually surprised to read your latest post. Why on God's green earth (to coin an oft'used phrase) should Obama be apologizing, and McCain goes scot-free? None of his (Mac's) "guilty by association" associations need to be raised, indeed when he was much more closely politically and financially entwined with many of his "shady mysterious" colleagues? But Obama should be apologizing for doing nothing wrong? (Prove ME wrong. Sources, please.)

Yet, you and I agree that we should "get back to the real issues of the election."

Ok, my sanity's back. Mea Culpa...yeah, right. Beat against your heart three times. I was raised Catholic. I know how Mea Culpa works (or not...?).

McCain and his Palin are raising ugly politics to portray Obama as unpatriotic, treasonous, a terrorist closeted with those horrible Muslims (when, in fact, ISLAM is not the problem; radical fundamentalists of ANY!!! religion are, so hey, listen to Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam's "Peace Train" and many other of his songs/lyrics--find any war-mongering there, I'd challenge anybody...listen once to "Where Do the Children Play? and get back to me about the state of the world; better yet, do "the Google" as McLameIT-non-brain phrases it).

To a different note, no, in this election cycle, Obama doesn't "get off the hook" for a "mea culpa" because there is racism involved. I have hoped for many many months it wouldn't come down to this kind of attack. "Checkers" ain't the same. Nixon came back at the "right" time and won it. And what a swell job he did, eh? The Mac-attack is more than a run to McDonald's. It's bad all through.

What questions hasn't Obama answered, through the MSM or by his own volition over the past year or more? (Simply google if you want his record, or hey, even try his web site, then go scrounge around for salacious unsubstantiated details.)

Better yet...what questions hasn't McCain even addressed, much less answered, toward his "past involvement with questionable and dubious people"? Good "googles" there--so many, so many!

I shouldn't and don't want to "speak for" Joan Walsh, but gut instinct tells me she does NOT need you feeling sorry for her. Too bad you didn't watch the whole show.

If I'm wrong for taking your post as an entirely disengenous and trying for a sorta-clever hack-job on Obama...call me on it or sue me.

For trolls: Starting with "Obama still has questions to answer" is a dead give-away to intent.

My guess is...no. (or at least not accurately--it would somehow come off Pro-Palin and all Obama's fault)

Meant to say: "Will this get coverage on Fox?"

You are delusional.

Yeah, we need some off-serious commentary, too.

To your post:

"Tonight's Debate Drinking Game

Rule: Chug each time you are patronized by John McCain as "My Friend."

We had drinks, just didn't chug along, but I did count 18 times of "MF"...and I think my count was low...and did anybody else think of what the acronym also stands for? (;)

If you were chugging, elisabeth, I'm surprised you were able to post so fluently! (grin)

Anyway, he ain't MY friend.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that. Thanks, Joan, for touching on this and to everybody else who noticed, too.

A disgusting, condescending McCain moment.

But hey, Fox News says McCain won the debate tonight. What a major surprise...

"I am not voting for McCain/Palin -- but give me a break..."that one" is racist? Joan you should write for Huffington Post at this point -- you are so over the top with all this stuff."

"That one" doesn't have to be racist to be wrong (though the point of it being a racist comment, in context, could be well debated). It was demeaning and dismissive and showed no respect at all--regardless of race.

I mean, seriously, how would YOU feel being called "THAT one" (in THAT tone and manner) under any circumstances?

The good news is, Obama responded just fine.

Of course they're both politicians. Like you, I listen to what McCain and his camp say, too, because even though I'm a Democrat and vote Democratic, I truly believe in listening to the other side(s)--I confess, though, that earplugs or the "mute" button are sometimes craved, and sometimes the "click" to a new site option is used. (just gotta)

I'm with you that policy is critical. And this year, I believe I can actually vote on both character AND policy in this election. I feel great about that.

But "THAT one"--at the very least, an insult. McCain seemed like he was dismissing a maid from one of his houses or dinner parties.

"I may suck it up and watch the last one :)"

Be daring.......I think you'd come out ok.

"Past his bedtime?

Did anyone else notice that the Obamas stuck around after the debate to interact with the live audience members while the McCains apparently left immediately?"

I did.

Your post got to me and I can't adequately answer what you addressed in a significant way. I posted a couple or so pages back saying, in essence, that "that one" is demeaning in general, not only racist, but arguably racist in context, but really, it was across all boundaries--it was demeaning, period. I've been watching MSM coverage and so far, that rotten remark has been noticed. Maybe that is progress? I hope so.

We just can't give up. Obama won tonight. That IS progress.

Thank you. I needed the reminder :)

"How many?

Did anyone count how many times McCain say "my friend(s)?" I was ready to throw something at the TV!"

We caught 18 times (not saying that's the final count, just sayin' what we caught). And I told my husband I was mad we hadn't gone out (per my excellent suggestion) to buy a gross of foam balls to throw at the TV. We had to settle for finger language instead.