It wasn't a policy speech. It wasn't a speech about the focus of an Obama presidency. I know of absolutely no one who has changed their minds on who to vote for based on a speech made by their spouse.

Speeches like this are pretty pointless to me and tend only to reenforce the views already held about a candidate. Those who already support Obama are going to listen to his wife's speech and have their positive feelings validated. Those who don't support him, or have questions about his qualifications for the office he is aspiring to probably aren't going to be swayed by his wife saying what a wonderful man he is. It's political theater - nothing more.

Look at what happened with Teresa Heinz-Kerry - those who supported Kerry liked her outspokeness while Republicans painted her as a Hillary-type bitch. A political wife is expected to speak nicely in public, not give too much information about her own opinions and show unending support for their husbands. In that, Michelle Obama accomplished her objective. Still, in the end it really means very little.

And you are an idiot.

I am endlessly amused by the whining of parents who lose all control over their small children and allow the worst behavior, writing it off as a "phase" or "testing his automaty". How about the fact that you raised this little demon and by letting him get away with unacceptable behavior, have taught him that if he wants to get his way, all he needs to do is yell, scream and throw things. You've wonderfully taught him that his parents are doormats and will do nothing to correct his behavior no matter how bad or violent. If you think he's bad now, wait until he's a teen and you're getting visits from the local police.

Reading your litany of his less-than-charming behavior, I have to say that I wouldn't trust you with a goldfish, let alone a child. "Strict adherence to his demands"? Are you kidding me? Who do you think you are raising, a mini-Stalin who'll send you to the gulag if you don't provide Dora on Demand? He's the kid! You are the parents! As the parents (and I assume the adults here) you are the ones who get to set the rules.

You don't want him watching tv before 9am on a Sunday so you can sleep. Fine. Let him know that is the house rule and no amount of crying or screaming is going to get him his way. He starts misbehaving in a restaurant? Then have your meal packed up and take your little demon home with you. You may be content to tolerate his behavior, but I'm sure that there was a restuarant full of people who were tempted to cut your break lines.

One of the biggest and most important lessons that a parent can teach a child is that there are rewards for good behavior, but consequences for bad behavior. As the parent, you need to be the one to set the boundries, and frankly, your kid needs them very badly. When you have a toddler that insults his mother, shits on his father, and hurts other people, you have to take ownership of the reason why he's acting like this. It's not normal toddler behavior. It's because you and your wife were lousy parents and now you have to unmake the monster that you raised.

It is not going to be easy at this point, and expect a lot of crying and screaming before things get even marginally better. Start setting down some real rules for behavior and let him know in very clear language what the punishment will be if his breaks these rules. Stick to it those rules. Keep the punishment in proportion to his behavior and reward him only when he behaves properly. Don't inflict his bad behavior on the general public.

You are the parent. How about acting like one for a change?