I am beginning to wake up at 3AM seeing hallucinations of busy, frustrated reporters under deadline--trying to stir up the masses with SOMETHING INTERESTING that will hold their attention. (Actually, I should have put the "hold their attention" part in caps!

The most recent media attempt to hype the election and get something going between Barack and Hillary, men and women, Clintonistas and Obamamanics is to play the gender card--trying to make a case for misogny among the Obama crowd against poor Hillary! Oh puleez! You could more easily make a case for sabotage within the Clinton camp, with Bill bringing up Bosnia again--when the whole sorry incident was all but disappearing from the headlines, and the consciousness of the public. (Remember, it is that attention span thing again!)

However, there is something which I find troubling! That has to do with the two most important men in Hillary Clinton's life: Bill Clinton and Mark Penn. Both seem intent (probably unconsciously) of humiliating her and bringing her down! Their narcissism knows no bounds, and poor Hillary is constantly in the position of explaining THEM, rather than her most important job, campaigning for HERSELF! How about an article on Hillary's codependent behavior with these two men??? Especially the non-firing of Mark Penn! This is so, so much more relevant and upsetting than any kind of so-called misogny in the Obama campaign! How about becoming a Cassandra and telling some truth to power? It would be incredibly refreshing!!!

Kate Madison, LCSW

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Dear Joan-

I have not heard anybody "blame" San Francisco for this whole "bittergate" nonsense--and nonsense it is! This is mainly a deal for the MSM who are having a slow news week and have caught on to this non-event to get the Clintons going and, therefore, alleviate their boredom--and the Clintons' too, I'd guess! My blame goes to the press who are playing this up, because I think they are truly excitement junkies looking for a "fix!" The Clintons are beyond hope. Too late to blame them! But why would a reporter, in good conscience, dangle a piece of raw meat (not an honest story) in front of hungry, angry wolves?

Maybe all of you need to get a life!

I don't know where you are coming from in assuming that those of us who do not support Hillary Clinton think she is a bad person. I certainly do not, and none of my Obama supporting friends do either! What I do not like is her codependence with her junkyard dogs: Bill Clinton and Mark Penn (yes, he is still around)! Left to her own devices, or working with the advice of her female staffers, Ms. Clinton comes across as a bright, empowered, well-informed, enthusiastic person. Once the Bill and Mark show begins, everything changes! She becomes strident, disrespectful and petty! I don't think that is who she is. I think it is too late for her, but it would have been refreshing to have seen Hillary as herself, without those dysfunctional men running her campaign! Both Bill and Mark have seemed bent on humiliating her and bringing her down--perhaps unconsciously! Very sad. But, it is too late for all of that. My hope is that either she goes back to the Senate and becomes Majority Leader, replacing that wuss, Harry Reid. Or that Obama appoints her to the Supreme Court--can't you see her whipping Clarence Thomas into shape? That appointment would have the added advantage of getting rid of the primary junkyard dog, her husband.

Kate Madison

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Dear Joan-

I have always liked your journalistic approach and admired your intelligence. I have especially liked you in your appearances on Bill Maher. HOWEVER, I must take issue with your analysis of this most horrendous "pretend" ABC debate--where the questions were crazy-making, adolescent and obviously crafted to appeal to the lowest common denominator. I felt especially sorry for the poor woman who was set up to ask the "flag lapel pin" question! She kept glancing to her side, as if to ask whether she was doing it "right!" She obviously had some kind of coach!

I think all the more highly of Barack Obama that he was annoyed and irritated at the low level of this "debate" and seemed hesitant to become involved. Hillary Clinton showed her usual "wooden soldier" persona, and I wondered if Mark Penn had entered the picture again!

Do you not get that Obama wants to change the nature of these foolish "debates" and get down to real issues? Do you not understand that the audience picks up on the "character" issue, and that is why Obama is winning nationally in ever wider numbers? Hillary Clinton is losing, and she is not going "gentle unto that good night!" I do not admire her for her "fighting spirit," because I think it is phoney and disingenuous. It is impossible to know who is the "real" Hillary Clinton and who Mark Penn and Bill Clinton tell her she needs to be!

Conversely, Barack Obama possesses a true voice. It has been evident from his first book "Dreams From My Father"--which he wrote himself and continues today. His speaking and writing voice are clearly his own. This is such a relief to one who notices these things, which I think many voters intuitively do too! On the other hand, I never know which Hillary Clinton will show up. I believe she is a real person with a real voice, but she has not respected herself or the voters enough to let us see her! Very sad.

Kate Madison

Depoe Bay, Oregon