Sarah and others on the speaker's platform tonight told lies. Not just about her opponents, but about herself.

Sarah (et al) energized her audience/base...mission accomplished?

Nasty, sarcastic, denigrating, deluded, playing to the puppeteer to the nth degree. Issues? Nah. Why run on what your candidate stands for when you can wrongly desicrate your opponent instead?

Lies were told by more than one Repub speaker tonight. Lies. Palin got her ecstatic base to stand, but she didn't tell the truth about her own record or about Obama's.

Not I nor me nor myself.

I'm totally in agreement with your post.

And I don't even eat hotdogs, but getting free ones to get into this convention to try to fill the hall...no thanks.

Meanwhile, Lieberman...don't call yourself a Democrat anymore.

I'm taking all my electoral leads per Buchanan...heeheehee

Great post. Thank you.

Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. I haven't even "vetted" other commenters here first, I just want to say that I had a really good time responding to this site, all the while trying to watch the Repug convention without throwing things at the TV that would break our TV.

Awful to have to repeat a patently awful "joke" via McCain, but an all-too-true salient point on the candidate.

I missed the operative words "I listened to..." and jumped to the conclusion that you were actually there. Anyway, I agree with your post.

"Separation of church and state

I listened to Palin's speech in church. Absolute violation of church and state. When are the Democrats going to start talking more strongly about this."

You were actually there for that speech?!? Do tell more (if you're so inclined).

"@ sirphred

Forcing rape victims and incest victims to bear their perpetrators' children IS MISOGYNY. As far as I am concerned, a vote for Palin is a vote for abusing women and girls.

-- AKA Smith"

We don't always (or maybe even often) agree, but on this post of yours---we are certainly on the same page.

Wow. That sure does denigrate the importance of our nation's and the world's problems.

YAY! You're back and safe. Peace (as you would say ;)

“Palin’s Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview”

Whatever you think about Huff Post, this article tells me more of substance than I’ve been reading elsewhere about Palin’s ties to her church’s (and pastor’s) teachings.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html

Kalnins v. Wright, anyone?

Thank you for sharing your personal story. Very important and relevant to this article thread. I wish you and your child all the best. You've clearly done well for the both of you.

I can only hope for the best from afar.

I can only (but vividly) imagine the silence in the streets and the anticipation of whatever this will be. Don't want you or anyone to be without electricity. Don't want people evacuated either--where are they going? Redux not good-dux.

I feel so helpless.

Take care of your dog and take care of yourself. Actually, I know you will, so that's a given.

It's kind of hard to find peace in my heart at the moment, but I am sure not the sort that doesn't take up hope for everyone.

My maternal grandmother used to tell me and other grandkids a story at bedtime and I'm reminded of it now...here's a part...

"Wind blows,

freeze my nose,

pray little boy and girl let me in and

light my pipe and awayyyyy I'll go again..."

That may sound inane to many, but I never considered "normal" to be necessarily a good thing, so I'm putting out there something about...those storms (and other menaces) going awayyyy again.

No, you don't need photo ops. Far from it.

I was trying to go to sleep, but couldn't, and even though I'm not near location-wise whatever Gustav's wrath may be, I can't stop thinking of that and all the weird and wild and tragic trajectories that could and will stem from it, and all the people potentially affected, and that in the wake of what already befell before.

My heart is out there. And in so many places. Around the world and right here at home. Personal tragedies have abounded this week in our immediate family, then add to that the national and world scene. How far can a heart stretch?

Mine's breaking, for many reasons. But no, photo ops are most definitely not the answer.

Peace to you. Please keep us posted and be safe--that to you and yours.

I'm going to re-post an AP link that states how Obama responded (versus a photo op, and with an awareness of how resources are diverted when VIPs show up--I should know: I was living in Manhattan on 9/11 and Dubya was the last person any smart person wanted appearing on "our" devastated island.)

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080831/D92TDPPG0.html

Not giving up, no way. And let's break the f***ing chain!

I liked your post. Valuable stuff to consider--especially in terms of defining "left-wing" vis-a-vis GOP standards.

The scenario you presented is certainly palpable, but I can't agree with your ultimate conclusion. I'm not giving up.

Wow. I really didn't get the irony in your earlier post re: switching hats, and I'm usually very good at irony! Sorry for the misread (I didn't want to insult if you were simply trying to say "let's be Americans and look out for Americans in this crisis.") Anyway, of course I stand by what I responded to you in every other respect.