I haven't read through all the letters but wanted to thank Amerigo for this John Bolton beating. Wow.

What a buffoon. I can't believe Bush put the title "ambassador" to him. Complete contradiction in terms. "Ambassador Bolton." Total oxymoron. Not to mention moron.

Here it is again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZLGHy2WS_M

(This really has nothing to do with the Clinton/Obama wars. I encourage everyone to watch and enjoy.)

I'm uncomfortable playing the groupie.

Way back in high school when friends had pictures of teen heart throbs on their bedroom walls, I just didn't get it. I mean, I liked the music and all, but what was with the hero worship? Video of Beatles fans fainting always made me feel alien; I absolutely couldn't relate and wondered what was wrong with me.

I've gone to speakers with neighbors in the last few years--Elaine Pagels, Elie Wiesel, RFK Jr.--and although I found them interesting and intellectually stimulating, I couldn't fawn over them the way my friends did. You know, that whole autograph thing.

In politics, I've gotten involved and passionate about issues and candidates but have always felt a bit uncomfortable at rallies, especially when they begin the chanting. The local pol who "opened" for John Kerry one time in Cleveland in 2004, Eric Fingerhut, started something going where he shouted "Finger!" to which the crowd cried in unison "Hut!" This went on and on. Talk about absurd. But it felt demeaning, too, and I felt manipulated and toyed with.

Anyway, when I first saw this particular Obama video, I was moved by it. He is genuinely an inspirational speaker, and I thought the music connection was kind of cool. It's one of those things that have a shelf life, though. Before the days of youtube and camera phones, this might just have been a magical moment to witness live somewhere or once on TV or something. Seeing it over and over does in fact get kind of creepy. But that doesn't change the genuine feelings behind it or the inspiration it might have generated on first viewings.

Total idiot. I used to play softball with him and his wife almost 20 years ago when he lived in Cleveland. Nice guy--really earnest. But not very smart, never was. And thin-skinned. Glenn, you left out some of his best books: (Just look at the titles--no nuance there)

The Evangelical President: George Bush's Struggle to Spread a Moral Democracy Throughout the World

Strategery: How George W. Bush Is Defeating Terrorists, Outwitting Democrats, and Confounding the Mainstream Media

Misunderestimated : The President Battles Terrorism, Media Bias, and the Bush Haters

and my personal favorite

At Any Cost: How Al Gore Tried to Steal the Election

When I knew him, Sammon reminded me EXACTLY of Bob Schaffer, a Congressman from Colorado who I went to college with. This guy was sweet and earnest but absolutely dumb as a rock. He used to sidle up to me in English class whenever there was a group project b/c he knew I was good for an A and he had political ambitions even then. Irony of all-time: we wrote a project together on the ambiguous language of the U.S. Constitution, specifically relating to the Second Amendment. "Our" conclusion (remember, I did all the work): Most experts agreed (in 1984, anyway) that the Second Amendment spelled out militias' rights but not any kind of individual right to bear arms. Imagine if I'd brought out that thing back when Columbine happened on his watch and he was the first to join NRA's defensive rhetoric about guns.

But I digress pretty thoroughly. I'm on a roll tonight if anyone's noticed my posts all over salon. Perhaps I should tend to my children.

Anyway, Bill Sammon and Bob Schaffer--two really great guys. The kind you'd like to have a beer with.

PS As I reread my post, I see that I neglected to mention that Bob Schaffer was a RepublicanCongressman. But you knew that already, didn't you?

Thanks. (Loved the head rolls).

everyone here would like the "other" candidate better.

That's really sad.

Your last two posts are a case in point for me. Clinton supporters very recently on this thread talk about how vitriolic Obama supporters are and I don't see it. With the exception of a few flamers, this thread is filled mostly with Obama fans who don't believe Clinton darkened the photo and Clinton fans who think Obama fans are evil for thinking Clinton darkened the photo. This disconnect is driving me crazy. Do you see it?

@Jameka:

I thought he was more dignified than this. What would he do as president if a foreign leader disagrees with him on an issue? Cry racism? Please stop it.

What does Obama have to do with this? The man didn't say or do anything related to this. A single blogger made a mountain out of a perceived molehill and you've fallen for the canard that not only are all Obama fans behind it but Obama himself is? Use your brain!

Lots and lots of famous people--intellectuals, celebrities, sports players--are fawned over. That they are isn't itself evidence that the person being admired is or isn't deserving of it.

GWBush is fawned over and is an idiot and war criminal completely undeserving of credit.

Obama is fawned over and shows intelligence and good judgment, inspires a new kind of politics (not to mention a new kind of voter), has shown some courage on some issues where other Dems have not and where it posed some political risk (FISA, Iraq), and even f***ing reads. He deserves credit.

We can hold both these concepts in our head at the same time.