Thank you. Both your posts (p. 4) gave shape--intelligently, fairly, and eloquently--to some of the muddle in my mind, especially during this increasingly intense election year.

Your second post, in particular, struck home. In my case, it's conservative Republican family members with whom trying for "civil discourse" on political or politically-tinged issues seems the bridge to nowhere. Ironically, just before reading your posts, I had sent an email to my brother to repair relations after (1) he sent me a Rush Limbaugh clipping to "prove" a point, and (2) I called him in a huff, posing query after query as to what he could possibly be thinking about anything he's thinking?!? Not the best example of genuinely trying to engage in a useful debate, but trust me, I have done the latter (i.e., not in a huff) on many occasions and it typically goes nowhere. I hold out a bit of faith, however. One of my husband's great friends is reluctantly voting for McCain, but certainly has proven himself able to talk with us about many issues, with both "sides" stating positions, conceding points, and learning something in the process. Refreshing.

In any event, whatever TV programming wizards are at work, they'd do well not to ignore daytime-TV watchers and potential VOTERS. That demographic likely leans more toward women, and if I were doing the scheduling (from a political POV), I'd say "dumb down" or ignore at your own risk.

The Palinisms alone are great (they're direct quotes--can't call that slammin'). But I really cracked up at the first video clip--"Hey there, Palin."

Sorry to those who may be offended, but after a week of viewing the hate-mongering McPalin rallies (especially Palin remarks), I think I deserve a hearty laugh!

Anyway, there ain't no holding back Philly fans. I will restrain from voicing my secret desire that she'll slip on the ice...no serious injuries, I'm not that mean, just enough to hamper her Sister Sarah RALLY activities.

I'd be happy if she went back to tending that border between Alaska and Russia, and never visited the lower 48 again.

Anyone who calls herself a "hockey mom" and thinks she can go jogging in Philly in a Rangers "sweater"...? Out of touch on "foreign policy"? Ya betcha.

I am not like the woman in the elevator who saw that "sweater" (a "campaign sweater" no less) in the elevator and agreed to swap that for a McNabb jersey to make Palin look respectable. I'd keep the jersey.

Then again, will she even make it into the arena after the reports today on Troopergate...?

McCain is not honorable. He gave his campaign over (which means he either agreed or acquiesced) to slinging false accusations and innuendos about his opponent.

Are his moments of repentance today genuine, or scripted strategy?--aye, there's the inscrutable rub.

I had a reaction, as some other posters have described, of truly pondering: "He feels remorse for how low his campaign has gone to depict Obama in their back-room interrogational blinding lights, and he REALIZED he couldn't sink THAT low." I concede, I did see something human in McCain's eyes when he took that mike from the "I've been reading, he's an Arab" woman, where I wanted to believe. But I don't. I just don't. I've gone Jerry Garcia..."he's gone, he's gone, and nothing's gonna bring him back."

Let's say he IS repentant. Pure conjecture. That's fine and well. Should we say "Thank you, Mr. McCain" (and your attack-dog pit-bull, most certainly scintillating, for some) for inciting fear and hate and RALLIES and their aftermath of the sort this country (or at least, I and many others) never want to see again?

The word "descipable" comes to mind.

Who is the REAL John McCain?

Who is the REAL Sarah Palin?

In any event, somebody needs to get it out to those people who believe Arabs are all bad, and Muslims are all bad. I doubt it will be the Republicans.

Ignorance can be cured.

Arab is a blood-line. Islam is a religion. There's a start.

Wonder how Arabs feel....

...when they hear a candidate say "he's a decent man...he's not Arab".

Substitute "Jew" or "Catholic" and you'll get my drift.

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I get your drift.

(how about adding: "He's not a terrorist")

I'm honored that some of my words made it to the Teleologicus Excerpts, while simultaneously wishing I'd never have needed to utter those words.

On Gollum = McCain, I had noted that when "The New Yorker" cover of Barack and Michelle was at issue that caricature should have been included, noticeably hovering in the background of the llustration with his stringy hair and wringing hands. I agree that somebody with the right video/graphics/web/etc. skills could go creative with that on YouTube.

@underanothername...another wish: that I didn't agree with your astute assessment of things.