... once Obama gets into office first. Has watching the Republican completely neuter the Democrats even when the Dems have the majority shown us nothing? Obama critics can't have it both ways: you can't say that he's too soft to stand up to the Republicans and then say he's being mean when he shows exactly how he will get things done.

RE: Wow, it's a good thing that Obama is the warm and fuzzy candidate of hope and yes we can and change we can believe in and not the leader of some typically cynical, cutthroat, business-as-usual political movement.

Well, Obama didn't say let's bury her. I said it. Kerry sat by and took the high road of not responding to the swiftboat ads and it screwed him and the country. I say Obama does mark a change and one of the first changes Democrats should try is to stop bring knives to gun fights.

Finally, when I say "bury her" I don't mean spread lies or distortions. I meant -- and said -- let's get behind the one person who may beat McCain and stop this madness. I meant let's not talk about change, but affect change by donating money even if it is a little bit to get the word out. I meant let's democratize the process as much as we can by banding together and making our voices heard over the corporate noise machine and donors who have $2300 lying around.

My beloved Irish wolfhound /shepherd was getting older and slowing down. We put him in the kennel for a weekend only to get the dreaded call that he had collapsed. I agreed to xrays but when it was determined he had a large tumor I gave my (tearful) permission to put him down. When I went to settle up and get his belongings on Monday when I was back in town, I was handed a bill for $800!

Good lord, that is the worst of both worlds. Huge bill (for me) and a dead best friend.

I lasted a good two weeks before I got a new puppy who is blissfully slumbering at my feet as I type.

For 8 years now, we have all mocked George Bush's inability to speak the English language. "the question is: is our children learning" and similar statements have been held up as proof that he is a freaking idiot (which he is).

My question however is why does HRC get a pass for "There isn't any surprises here." Isn't this the same grammatical error that Bush made and for which he was been rightfully crucified?

I hate double standards.

If this nomination is stolen by seating delegates after declaring that they wouldn't be seated, it will be the end of the Democratic party. I personally and I think others will withdraw all support, financial and otherwise, from the party. I think there would be a ground swell for a new party by the disillusioned. I have written to Dean and I encourage everyone to do the same. You can't change the rules halfway through the game.

Exactly which fights were these? I am one of her constituents and while she's brought home plenty of pork for NY, I haven't seen HRC do a blessed thing except capitulate to the Republicans so she can appear "tough"(tm) and triangulate black and white issues with a lawyerly precision. (Specifically her opposition to an anti-flag burning amendment while proposing that it be outlawed with an amendment.)

What are these fights? Hillary-care? PATRIOT act? FISA? Telecom Immunity? Guantanamo? Has she tried to impeach these criminals? No.

I am not trying to be difficult. will some of her supporters please tell me what this means? what tough fights has she even taken on, much less won? I don't see it, but maybe I am missing some subtle leadership on her part. She's certainly been more Reid than Feingold or Dodd.

'better' not 'best'.

Don't you have copy editors? Hillary may have done BETTER but she could not have done BEST in a two person race. I know it is difficult to remember all the way back to sixth grade grammar, but there is a difference between the use of the superlative and the comparative.

This is not the first time salon has made this mistake. Goddamnit. Invest the $100 and buy a Chicago Manual of Style.

why does the press allow the white house to constantly claim that it is the president's job to protect americans? It is NOT.

Here's the oath: "''I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.''"

He has a solem obligation to defend the rule of law. And frankly I think he's a pisspoor job of it. It be great if any reporters in washington had read the constitution or could ask a decent question.