by his name instead of calling him The Ron Paul Revolution. Every time someone on Salon refers to him that way, it's like sandpaper against my skin. I think many of Paul's ideas (and supporters) are insane, but there ARE respectful ways to talk about people, whether they are frontrunners or not.

She is one smart cookie, and a tough one too. I applaud what she and the rest of her generation of feminists have done for us all.

But I agree with the Glamocracy quote. It seems as though a lot of the old-guard feminists are letting their respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton and their hopes for the first female president - BOTH OF WHICH I SHARE - get in the way of their reasoning. Many of the most intelligent and well-meaning feminists in American history have spoken from a position of privilege, mainly because that's the only way anyone could hear any feminism in the mainstream at all. But this position of privilege has always been the major weakness of feminism. Feminists have usually been open to addressing this inherent quandary, but I think addressing it requires constant vigilance. So thanks to Steinem for her outspoken view, and thanks to Glamocracy for its outspoken criticism of that view. Neither writer sound slike a total nutcase - and for that we can be grateful. Now let us all bow our heads in prayer.

Thank you, sweet [jesus/allah/buddha/goddess/spaghetti monster/other deity or abstraction] for saving me from Republicanhood! But, I pray thee, please do not allow this year, in which we [Democrats/liberals/progressives/feminists/other left-leaning political designation] have received the divine gift of being very likely to win a presidential election for once, to devolve into an "it's-worse-to-be-me" schoolyard shouting match. Amen, and, impossible though it may seem, may the best human win.

If Huckabee is truly for the little people, how do you explain the FairTax thing? I don't buy it. While looking for something "refreshing," may I suggest avoiding Kool-Aid?

I'll tell you what's refreshing: NO MORE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES BASED ON REACTIONARY RELIGIOUS VIEWS.

Huckabee scares the hell out of me, because I thought this country was too smart to vote for W and I learned my lesson the hard way. Twice. I wish this country were too smart to vote for Huckabee, but, unfortunately, I've lost my faith - in my fellow countrymen and women. Perhaps it's because they're choosing presidents the way they choose refreshments. And we all know how badly Americans eat.

"If there is any actual evidence, not anecdotes, that our tap water is dangerous, I'd like to hear it."

Did you read mcytron's posts? You can read all about this horror story in the WaPo archives, and there's probably stuff in NPR archives as well. We lived in DC when the lead issue came to light, and we had little kids too. We had our water tested, and it was fine. Lucky us.

I also had friends in a rural area who had copper pipes and when the water's acidity went up very slightly, the children in the house would spontaneously vomit whenever they drank the water. Oops.

I don't know about this "our" you're talking about - but occasionally tap water is dangerous in individuals' homes, and if you want to know if yours is dangerous, you should have a professional come and test it. There is no guarantee that it's completely safe just because it's town water or well water or whatever kind of water you automatically assume is safe.

when I can stream movies on my Mac or Linux OS. Though I do subscribe for the DVD service and love it, the Windows thing really rankles. And I don't have or want a TV.

GAWD, I already spent the whole freakin' snow day listening to my children picking at each other over stupid stuff. Do I need to read it in the news too? Come on, campaigns. You're going to regret this when you have the big Republican guns turned against you. It's getting ridiculous.

Your husband is. I think you should trust your instincts and leave him.

This little quirk about bringing the foundations of our country into harmony with the texts of an ancient tribal religion can't really be who he IS, underneath. Because, like, he plays the guitar! And he makes jokes, too!

At least, that is what I seem to be hearing from folks quoted in the press. Apparently none of them grew up Southern Baptist, or they would already know all about preachers like him. Do not be fooled, my friends. Make sure you're hearing the whole message instead of just shouting 'Amen!' with the rest of the congregation.

So nice to see you again!

if you wait until you're over 30, your chance of getting breast cancer increases. This was part of my decision.

And, in my experience, finding other stay-at-home parents to hang out with in the DC metro area is hard no matter how old you are; most kids are with nannies all day, until they go to preschool at age 2.

"Well, that would be just too big of a lie to tell."

And for Romney, that is really saying something....

The state of Michigan broke the Democratic party's rules. If you have a beef with somebody, I'd think it would be with your own state, rather than with the Dem candidates. Interesting, though, if the Repubs were spreading that kind of nonsense as a talking point. Are you even a Democrat?

by the Parents Television Council's inability to use an apostrophe. OW!

Um, speaking of reading more carefully? Those of the first words or Ms. Clark-Flory's post.