Well done, Gary. Thank you for bringing this heartfelt eloquence to Salon today, in the midst of all the more mundane horserace discussion.

A reminder to folks -- Dreams of My Father was published in 1995, when Barack was in the Illinois state Senate. No one knew him (well, I did, but that's another story). The book had sold a few thousand copies, at best. It was remaindered. (It only became a bestseller after the Convention speech).

But in reading it, for me, back then in 96, 12 years ago, it was clear exactly what this man was about.

Anyone who doubts whether Barack is ready to be president, has "experience," or maturity only needs to read Dreams of My Father -- and keeping in mind that this was a DECADE AGO -- and you know Barack was ready even then.

Just reading back then, you knew he had "it" -- and what "it" was then wasn't even clear. Because he was years away from running for Congress (which he lost), and his Convention speech (the one that put him on the map), and his Senate bid, much less a run for president.

He was a guy in his 30s, laboring away in obscure state government, and yet he was wise, brilliant, and a gifted writer and intellect.

And the people how knew him then, those of us who knew him a decade ago -- we knew he was destined for great things.

I can't tell you how many people I know who knew Barack back then, before the Convention speech made him into the "Rock star," who KNEW -- they just KNEW in the very core of their being -- that when they met this man, they were in the presence a future President of the United States.

I knew it then, and I know it now. For America's sake, I hope that this year is his year. But if America's not ready for Barack this year, they will be eventually.

Garry, Garry, my dear heart -- I know you just can't stay away from me -- you do LOOOOOVE me so, it's true -- but don't forget, hon...Assyrians -- ancient and contemporary -- are tough. If I see a reason to critique Joan, I'll critique to my heart's content.

As for taking credit, the only thing that you, my dear, can take credit for is your unerring ability to irritate and annoy the hell out of most of us here here at Salon, with all that trolling, and gnat-like off-topic buzzing, ranting and raving business.

Reality check moment, Gars: Have you noticed how so few people here at Salon's letters even bother to ever respond to you or your pointless tirades -- except to tell you to shut up?

Yeah, I know you've noticed. It eats at you, doesn't it?

Have you noticed how rarely the editors think that your daily upchucking of numerous posts are deserving of stars?

You DO know, don't you? Drives you crazy, it seems-- that lack of love from the powers that be.

That's what drives you to keep trolling, keep attacking, and keep posting more and more and more, doesn't it? That's what has turned you into the 3rd rate Ann Coulter of Salon.com -- doing anything to piss people off because in the end, you get off on attention, any attention, even negative attention.

Not getting it any other way, are you hon?

You spend all day with your butt glued to the chair, posting to Salon letters, with little or no response, so you get ugly and troll and attack, to get someone --- anyone -- to respond, right? It's the only way anyone pays attention to you, you poor, poor thing.

Well, my dear, this last long post, just dedicated to you, should be your little trolling heart's wet dream. But this is it, sweetie. Make it last. You're going cold turkey now -- it's time for tough love. I'm no longer going to feed your fantasies...add me to the list of many other Salon Letters readers/writers who won't waste another precious second of my time swatting at gnats (aka, responding to your trolling.) I'm taking the lead from other Salon posters and, lacking an IGNORE button, putting you on virtual IGNORE.

Oh, and Garry -- while I appreciate your apparent fixation with my "ass," I'm not a guy, sweetheart. I know that ruins your fantasies...but thanks for the love anyway!!!

Hasta la vista, toots! Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris