The real problem is that the father, who had obviously given power of attorney to his wife, was being ignored because he was placed in a home. It never should have been up to the mother to determine if he could come home, it was his home. If he was rational and could discuss and comprehend his situation with medical staff, he had the ability to make decisions.

I personally found the LW's predicament to be extremely disturbing. Someone should have been able to speak for the father since his wife was no longer taking that responsibility seriously. I would advise the LW to ensure that this never happens to them and to complete a power of attorney that includes wishes for long-term care, hospice care, etc.. No one should be able to leave you in a nursing home just because you're sick. If you are dying and want to die at home, if you understand that you WILL be dying at home, you should be able to do just that. The idea that no one seriously attempted in-home care for this man is shameful.

Perhaps it is demoralizing to watch athletes from a small impoverished country dust you over and over again. I think the U.S. track stars just got rattled by what they saw in Bolt & Co.. That said, I've got my fingers crossed about doping. Whenever I see so much success at once, I just think, "juiced? maybe." I hope not though. I have a suspicion that these Games are among the very cleanest in a long time thanks to the improvements in drug tests. I also wonder if perhaps some U.S. athletes who were so dominant yrs ago were benefitting from access to cutting-edge pharmaceuticals. We know Marion Jones was.

But it does. Never underestimate the bitterness that many Americans hold towards those who are perceived to have been more fortunate (read: Elite). If only logic were a consideration. McCain has been largely supported by his wife since the early '80's. Why is that so much worse than the rampant nepotism that marked George W. Bush's early years? As far as I can tell, neither was a remarkable success unless you count McCain's ability to stay out of jail during Keating 5 a skill.

However, it is stunning how easily people can be duped in perceiving an educated and, dare I say, well-spoken black man as an elitist. This despite incontravertible evidence that he earned every single thing he has ever achieved through intelligence and hard work. Heaven forbid a true outsider should ascend to the top of the political power structure instead of Good Ole Boys with family money and connections to support them.

What every feminist should hopefully understand, whether second or third wave or whatever, is that taking care of the home is not a choice when one has a family. I don't sip tea or bake cupcakes or knit, largely because I haven't the time. OTOH, I cook dinner and clean every single day. I don't really like it but I certainly hold no feelings of oppression about it either. It's my job because I decided to have a child. Do these women who clearly have FAR too much time on their hands have even the smallest clue what it is to be a working woman with a family? Who are these women?

Amelia is being a rather ordinary pre-teen with a need for a little attention and emotional support. I think her rationale for wearing pink hair has more to do with an emotional void left from her father's passing rather than identifying with his fight for cancer. I can't help but think that her father would probably have said, "go wash your hair girl and get back to class."

OTOH, I have a niggling suspicion that all is not right in the home if the mother is all for her daughter's loss of education in the face of dyed hair. Someone else said it. You pick your battles. This fight is about a hair color that Amelia will most likely get bored with once the attention goes away. Personally I think some shrewd adults at the school could help channel this girl's emotional upheaval into something positive like fundraising or cancer awareness. Make it a school-based project and give this bright little girl a channel for her energies and some validation in the process.

The reason why Obama has been slipping a bit is because he has been reticent to go as nasty as the GOP. Well, that's done. Whew! I say crucify McCain and Biden appears up for the job. Mock McCain for his constant references to POW experiences and ask," what the hell does that have to do with the mortgage crisis or education?"

So now Obama is responsible for far-flung members of his family that he barely knows. Of course the low-life GOP wouldn't dare point out that this young manis estranged from the rest of his family as well, including his own mother who last I checked LIVES in Kenya. No, better to blame Obama.

Personally, I say a Dem 527 should start running interviews with Cindy McCain's half-siblings that are totally ignored by her wealthy family. Her father would have been called a deadbeat dad today and Cindy McCain is a liar when she states that she's an only child.