Camille- I admire your wit, your intelligence and your ability to write most excellent prose. However, I have noticed that in your last blog you seemed.....well....drunk! But I am guessing it was the Kool Aid the McCain campaign gave you. I am wondering what flavor? Must have been tart, because you are VERY tart. But dark as well--maybe black cherry! I know you write to shock, and you have accomplished your objective. But, really, do you have a clue who Sarah Palin is, and what her election could portend for America? I mean we are already in the trash heap, but we could end up at the bottom of a landfill--particulary if John McCain (hope not) has another melanoma! Yes, Camille, she could well be our next President. Put that in your smoke and pipe it! And please write another column when you are sober!

Kate Madison

Depoe Bay, Oregon

I don't know why I made up that headline! It just seems that this whole Republican election show is a bad movie! But I must tell you, Joan, that I loved your commentary. Straight on and so "truth to power!" I have not been a big fan of yours, because I thought you were overly partisan with Hillary and unfair to Barack. However, this was not about that--it was about truth, knowledge and preparedness!!!! What elections should BE about!

Just before I read your blog, I read Paul Krugman's op-ed in the NY Times about the McPalin deceitful campaign--which he sees as worse than Bush/Cheney! And I have to agree that it seems worse to me as well. Which is amazing--because I didn't think there was a worse than Bush/Cheney!!! This enhances my respect for Barack Obama--his maturity and non-reactive intelligence. But I gotta tell you, I am glad he has given the 527s permission to fight back! I just hate the meanness and nastiness of negative campaigning, but if the American people are so shallow and mean-spirited that they think Obama's not punching back is "weak" (and therefore won't vote for him)--then, he'll just have to punch back. ICK! We Americans really have a "thing" for bullies! And we vote for them. That bothers me terribly!!!!

Aftr reading this article, I am dismayed and dejected. I do not think--given the ignorance and small-mindedness of so many small town people that Obama will have a chance to win this election, unless the urban areas vote hugely!!! I wonder if any of them really KNOW John McCain--that rich, old white guy with 8 houses and a bunch of lobbyists running his campaign--who, if elected President, will not help them with health insurance or unemployment??? And what about Sister Sarah Palin--who would be, if elected, a mere metastasis away from the Presidency! Her deceitful and manipulative manner are not hard to figure out--doesn't take an urban PhD! What is wrong with these people!!!! Is there no way they will stop drinking the Kool Aid! No wonder the rest of the world has such distain for us--and, truly, they do!!!!

In reading the comments about your quite sensible blog, I am horrified to see a number of people defending Sarah Palin!!!! How can this be? Have you people not listened to her "interviews,"? This woman is a complete disaster as a potential Vice President--as much as she may be a good mom and moosehunter!

All I can think is that too many Americans have been drinking Kool-Aid for the past eight years (maybe longer), and are dismally affected by the vast quantities of sugar and artificial coloring!!!! And, worse than that, most people lack completely the ability to think critically! Very sad.

As you said, Joan, she should, but she won't! And not because she is too stubborn. He is! I think McCain is one of those guys who cannot admit error. He would rather lose--and blame someone else!!! For example, you liberal media types for beating up on "poor Sarah," or Barack for being brilliant and calm. The possibilities are endless! What a train wreck this Republican campaign has turned into, but it is not without its moments. Tina Fey has become a national treasure, and (as she said), she didn't even have to work very hard to be the garrulous and irrational Sarah Palin! Katie Couric has now got some credibility, and George Will is daintily eating crow! I'm lovin' it!!!!!!

I guess most people at the Republican McCain/Palin rallies are there to "get their anger out!" What they need, rather than a rally, is some good cognitive therapy to find out why they are displacing their anger (and fear) so inappropriately on Barack Obama. My guess is that these are mainly disenfranchised people, many of whom were probably abused as children--and have "identified with the aggressor!" My goodness, they are such a collection of rude, nasty and threatening people--who can tolerate no differences! Nor can they seem to see shades of gray, or recognize innuendo and manipulation! Yes, this speaks of people who have learned not to think their own thoughts or to recognize how they really feel! Fodder for another Hitler!

In all due respect, Ms. Lamott, I do not think that "having faith" is enough in these frightening times! I believe that "taking action" is what we, who are afraid and also hopeful, must do! Therefore, I am spending my days campaigning and canvassing for Barack Obama--though I know he has my state (Oregon) locked up. It is not enough to have Obama as President! We must have progressive congresspeople and senators in place to help END THIS MADNESS!!!!!

Please, people of conscience, get off your duffs and start doing phone banks and canvassing for Obama and the progressive candidates in YOUR state. It really does make a difference!!!

Many thanks-

Kate Madison

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Obama Mama