Everybody either knows you or thinks they do. I grew up in a town of about 4,500 population, and during high school, I remember going to school on Monday and knew I could ask: "Hey, what did I do over the weekend?" Also true that in a small town, not everybody wants to go "on the record" because the next day they have to deal with anybody contrary to their opinions, stance, observations. OK if you're gathering at the diner with your buddies for the morning coffee-klatch (yeah, it's not just a "girl" thing) who mostly agree with you. But not OK if, for example, you're a local merchant and you made some people mad--result: don't shop at his/her store.

Nancy wanted new china. Jackie had a decorating do-over or two. The "bordello" makeover by Palin may show a lack of taste (and waste), but it is far less important to me than how the mayor handled government finances; how she got the financing; and who was actually handling the day-to-day responsibilities. A city manager doing the real work in small towns is quite common practice. But my beef is: don't say you did the real work if you didn't do it. In short, don't brag about "having responsibilities" without fulfilling those responsibilities, particularly when you're criticizing community organizers (who, by Palin's definition, have no responsibilities and by extrapolation "don't do nothing").

Don't you dare give up! I don't want to do some "you're young" and "I'm older and so wise" thing. You've obviously got a good head on your shoulders and a fine heart. Looks like already you're on the right path. Trust that.

I'm (very unfortunately!) allergic to shellfish, but I'd still come to your OBAMARAMA Shrimp Boil party if I could!

I really appreciated your "Sounds of Silence" story.

"When I was attending a very conservative Bible College, one of our radical professors scandalously hung the secular lyrics of a Simon and Garfunkel song in his office. The song was "Sound of Silence." When I asked him why he did it, he said it was for this line of the song: "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls." He felt God had not stopped speaking to us, we just had to look harder."

Whether or not a person believes in God, there are messages for us everywhere. Just up to us to heed them.

"I love to kill wolves as much as anyone"

She wasn't being serious. Call it sarcasm, irony, whatever, but in context, she really wasn't being serious with that comment. And yes, other posters have noted the same so it's not just IMO.

"Not one word on DeSean Jackson, not even a sarcastic comment? I'm disappointed." Yeah--what's up with that? Jackson: what a bonehead, hotdog, cocky, selfish, stupid play on his part. If he didn't get reamed by Reid (and the rest), he sure should have. My nephew used to be an NFL player and I know what he'd say: "Not a team player."

But great to see McNabb at high performance again! I was bummed at the final score, but I liked what I saw from the Eagles. Offense going again, and let's get that defense in stride (yeah, especially against badass TO). Anyway, exciting game...I just liked the first half better ;)

Big Daddy's there looking after her mendacity.

"I pray. I pray for the day I open Salon and see absolutely nothing about Sarah Palin. Does God answer prayers?"

Maybe it's some Hail Mary's and some Our Father's, but maybe it is...ohmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmmmm, ohmmmmmmmmm

(Or, in pragmatic terms, a message to Joan Walsh...?)

(I feel I have to add this PS: I am in no way denigrating prayer or Buddhist meditation...all to the good, if it's coming from good...I do it myself, my own versions thereof)

I hear you completely. I keep trying, I really do. Thanks for your eloquent and apt reminder.

"As another Texan...

I'm camped out in an internet cafe because I (and a couple million others) have no electricity. Through an accident of timing, when I got here I saw the end of the Major Photo Op, which included pulling Houston's mayor out of the work he was doing in order to wait around to get some words of wisdom from Shrub.

I haven't been so happy to see Air Force One take off since August 9, 1974."

The reason I can relate is that I was living in Manhattan on 9/11, and though I can't speak for every citizen, I sure can state with assurance that a whole bunch of residents didn't want Shrub to "come visit." Oh, yeah, let's make this city more vulnerable when we don't know what the (ahem) heck could be happening next. Oh yeah, let's draw in the presidential entourage and cameras and staging when hey! rescue workers were still risking their own lives going into the debris to perhaps rescue any possible survivors. Funny how us residents couldn't get any groceries (bridge/tunnel access closed) or cash from the ATMs (financial centers under literal ruin).

Oh yeah, I and many others were very happy when Shrub went away. Probably had another group of kiddies to read a book to.