First off, damn straight - if you use "hillbillies" and you're taking their position, you're a troll. What's the point here, to play the low end and come under? Gain sympathy? BALONEY.

Now about respect and showing up. Suppose Obama and McCain show up equally in time spend, energy and the amount of respect shown. Who wins? Who takes Appalachia?

The simple answer is the candidate that ISN'T grinding against the "hidden" anti-Black vote...despite what the author states.

There I said it. It's plain as day and it's real.

It's as real as the anti-Muslim vote that Tenn GOPs were pushing with their hit piece. It's real.

Yes it's the 21st century. Times have changed. Race is less of an issue now more then ever. Many, many white people have embraced Barrack Obama as the best candidate in a color-blind manner and he just might win (I certainly hope so). Maybe Appalachia sees things in a new light, maybe it's about respect and showing up.

Then again, maybe it's not.

Appalachia is anti-Black because of long held beliefs and there's such a small African American population as not to counter-balance it as in the South.

I'm still holding hope that the majority of the U.S. votes for Obama and a better future and I think it's time. Maybe Appalachia joins the rest of the country. Still, don't be surprised if it doesn't and it's not about "showing up".

First off, yeah sounds like Mr.Wilson from Dennis the Menace busting a sphincter at every little thing.

Second, if it bugs you that much hire an acoustic engineer to do something because it's not the kid, it's you. Your property value will probably go up too.

Third, becoming his buddy and playing hoops is dumb and LW might have a heart attack trying. Leave the kid alone.

Fourth, maybe buy the kid a new b-ball. The kid might have a good b-ball now...maybe not. Take a look. If he's bouncing a cheap rubber ball it will make lots of noise.

A cheap synthetic ball will also make noise...a good quality ball (leather or composite) properly inflated "should" be a little easier on the ears...although no guarantees. LW can figure it out. This is a cheap deal and a nice gesture at the same time.

Besides being unpretentious, the refund/credit policy and the same airplanes you also always know the maximum cost of any flight, even if you buy the ticket that day.

The pricing is standardized across the board minus specials. Everything is clear and easy to understand and you never feel like you're getting ripped.

The earlier you book the better chance for a cheap flight. On the flipside, I know I can go from SF to LA, RT, tomorrow for $250 or any time, no booking just walk in and I never pay for last minute gouging.

Try that on United or any other major and you're looking at $1,000 bucks, widely varying prices and a bunch of hoops. It's crazy making, it looks dishonest and it makes you nuts.

SW has the WYSIWYG thing down and that's the charm.

Indeed, Barack Obama will be a post-Reagan Democrat but more importantly he will be a post George Walker Bush (#43) Democrat.

No can predict what this will mean but the plundered, inept and complete debacle of the Bush Administration leaves a door open for a sea change and shift in direction.

The future looks bright despite the current wreckage.

Welcome to the post-Bush 43 era. Welcome to the Obama era. It's not going to be perfect but it's a change we need so much, it's time.

Can't Salon do better then that? The irony of this "roundtable" of three white guys talking about race is unbelievable and insulting to be frank.

Holy crap, if the so-called "liberal" press can't figure this out who will. I expect this sort of baloney elsewhere but even part of the mainstream has a clue about race and who to interview.

The sad part is Salon has missed yet again at a chance to show some diversity and up the discourse. For god sake hire some journalist of color or interview the thousands of qualified non-white academics out there who can speak beyond white bread.

Com'n Salon, it's the 21st Century, get with it.

First off, as a non-white, male Democrat, I would have voted for whoever won the Democratic nomination. Plain and simple.

If HRC won the nomination there wouldn't be any nonsense about "having to win over Obama" supporters like me. I'd vote for her or any Democratic candidate in a heart beat. Policy-wise they're more similar then not so why wouldn't I?

The whole assumption by Joan Walsh that Barack Obama must now "win over HRC supporters" is a bit insulting, self-serving and self-centered. Frankly the argument sounds like privileged princess talk and HRC seems to be acting the part as well.

By not bowing out gracefully and creating unneeded drama it shows a real disregard for the well being of many, many others, people who would clearly benefit from a Democrat in office. I say this despite any vote I would have cast in her favor and being a feminist - my mom, my past work, my wife.

Tantrums and double talk is not the position of world leaders. Get over it.