First, to Joan Walsh, I learned more about you in your first "comment to the crowd" here today than I have in most of your op-eds or tv sitings. I appreciated your candor and your addressing your job as Editor of this site. I'll add just one comment regarding this particular article: I agree that McCain's befuddled (addled?) response to Fiorina's questions was a red flag in SO many directions, not only to so-called "women's issues" but about the candidate himself most definitely. And yes, if Fiorina is on HIS side, where was the effective game plan in her questioning and his obvious faltering and forgetfulness on his own votes and positions? Team meeting required. And not the first time, on many issues.

Second, to disaffected members of the Obama camp, I'll say that I'm a rather firm believer in this edict: "Never argue with someone else's version of reality." So, I read these back-and-forth Salon comments and don't really want to get into the "consciousness-raising" arguments that really go nowhere (e.g., "minds made up, move on"), but I do intrude on my own professed edict when I just can't keep my mouth (or mouse) shut. Sometimes, civil discourse does happen and people consider other sides and hey, lives get changed! (That's my optimistic scratch-a-cynic side talking.) So, I'm just going to add now...Why not read Salon's own WarRoom's take on the Obama FISA situation (in addition to Greenwald's reporting, of course)? In the effort toward balanced reporting and thinking. Offered only for consideration. (!!!!!!)

FROM SALON WARROOM: Friday, July 11, 2008 11:16 EDT

TITLED: Learning to live with the "new" Obama

That is the only realistic explanation I can muster for why she remains the editor of Salon.com, vs. becoming a full-time pundit and/or an op-ed contributor or a regular columnist...elsewhere. (Is it ad revenue? subscriber revenue? controversy? rev up the readers? where’s the CEO? or the officer in charge of assessing just plain NOT fair and balanced reporting? or the one in charge of assessing journalistic reporting, vs. opining?)

You made your position clear on Hardball today and on “your” site Salon. (And both well timed to appear simultaneously. Interesting.)

But did Russ Feingold’s response on MSNBC get mentioned? No. Of course not. That might have diminished or damaged your take on the situation at hand.

Just wanted to add that I have lived in AZ for the past six years, so McCain is "my" senator. I'm just (going into Valley Girl speak) "so fer shur" he'll listen to my view on FISA and myriad other issues (e.g., health care--talk to me about taking care of my mother after her stroke--and and and oh, the stories there go long). Before moving to AZ, I lived in NYC for 20 years and I was there on 9/11. So, I'm a tad bit biased on how this "war on terror" has been conducted--i.e., has anyone seen Bin Laden lately?

I am one Democrat who is not giving up on Obama because of FISA. I will keep reading and listening and learning and assessing and weighing what he says and does, not about this important issue alone, but about many other important issues at hand. I can't even fathom (without nightmares) a "four more years" with McCain, but I'm also not remaining in the Obama camp because he's the LOTE. Frankly, I don't think he's evil at all. If anybody wants to attack me for that statement, go ahead.

I'm not politically ignorant nor a stupid voter in general. Reading through all these posts has given me an education and I appreciate that immensely. I want to thank the poster who offered the "DiFi" position because that was informative as to the other side of Greenwald's good reporting. But I have to say, the post from sysprog hit both my heart and my brain. So sue me---I like Obama. I'm not ready (as the current politico phraseology goes) to "throw him under the bus."

Pinky was interesting, but I have to say---didn't like the "rapist" analogy.

I only have a couple o' minutes to post, but damn, did I imagine (really truly did I actually hallucinate?) a change in the headline subtitle to "other tall tales" versus "other stories" on ONE link on Salon, but not on the other links to the same article? Did viewer perceptions of this odious main headline actually lead to a...semi-change? "Semi" meaning that Salon says we can click here for "other stories," or click there for "tall tales." Tall tales indeed, and Salon somehow manages to keep perpetuating them. What are you trying to do to this candidate and to the Democrats? If you want McCain, keep it up. It's like a fishing pond recently stocked. I've gotta go. Not my most thought-out, well-conceived comment, but geez, I got mad. Is this site *becoming* the trolls now out to get him? Just my two cents because I was incensed and enthralled and very (and not newly) irritated with the editor of this site. (p.s. believe it or not, even though I hated the original headline, I did think upon seeing it that "other tall tales" would have been preferable--guess somebody agreed, at least partially)

"All I can think to do . . .

Is draw a sad face on my dry erase board (which my mother gave me as a gift after the coverage of election 2000). It's a stupid gesture maybe, but I really don't know what else to do.

-- speeder"

I think that was a truly beautiful gesture (and also an inspired gift from your mother).

I suggest everyone read "Big Russ & Me" (and it would sure make a wonderful Father's Day gift). I admire this man for many reasons, both personally and professionally. Please, posters @ Salon--put partisan politics aside for the passing of a good man.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.