What the hell is Salon's criteria for Editor's Choice letters? Laurel962's long-ass, preachy, self-righteous rant was really nothing special. Since Ms. Hepola admitted all her mistakes, what was the point of berating her?

By the way - many folks (including myself) have doubled and tripled their income by going freelance. Many of those who are "gainfully employed" are really a couple paychecks away from being homeless, as dependent as they are on a single source of income (and clueless about what to do when it disappears). It's a nice illusion, though.

If the author is listening... the letter writer did have one point: 10k is not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things. Earning more is probably the easiest solution, so you may want to explore other avenues for income with your talents. Here's a quick rule: the more soulless the work is, the more it pays!

This will influence the vote, simply because young people feel so uninspired... and have little faith in the "adults" around them to actually change anything for the better. I felt this way since the 70s (I'm 40) and have been watching politicians talk their talk and spin their friggin' wheels for the last three decades, to the point that I and so many others couldn't care less what party the next president represents, as long as they are sincere in turning things around.

People forget how much power there is in music. This is a beautiful message.

...you might think that some other country would come and save us from all this oppression. I would welcome our liberators! (I sure hope it's Australia)

He can do no wrong, and even when he does, he gets a solid pass. WHY? - F E A R. This country is so far into him now that fear of racial disharmony, angry mobs of people, etc. are making people continue to support him and I suppose, hope for the best.

Wow Shelja - you nailed it. People support Obama not only because we want to keep women down, but also because we're afraid of black people. Buy a clue.

This using the letters section as a messageboard is all well and good, but lose the stereotypes, please. Most folks have wide-ranging and complex reasons for backing a candidate. If Hillary was a smooth orator (she's not) I truly doubt you would be taking her to task for it. Time to look in the mirror...

My friends and I in Minneapolis - everyone I know - knew that we were being lied to so we could go to war and protect our assets (oil, etc). None of us saw the manufactured government documents either.

I was snowed in at a ski hill in Colorado (8 feet of snow!) when the war was announced and EVERYONE booed the tv. These folks were from all over the country and from all walks of life. Everyone knew what was up.

Obama followed his gut alright - he voted against an unjust war and he has a right to be proud of that. Mrs. Clinton fell in line. Traitor is a big word, mr. poopy-pants.

Hey Salon - can you possibly limit posts to two per user per article? One line of code would save us all from this idiocy... If folks can't get their point across in two posts then screw 'em.

Humorous, informative, insightful... this should set an example for future articles. Someone should leak the Document. Just sayin'...

...is that there wasn't enough distinction between her and McSame in the first place. That's why she lost the primary. So it only makes sense that Hillary backer might not swing over to Obama's camp unless they are a hardcore Dem. Not good for the Democrats, but logical nonetheless.

The last two elections showed us just how many folks (as amazing as it seems) do not affiliate themselves with either party, and here's hoping that most of them will favor Obama.

Almost forgot.... go ride a bike!

You nailed it.

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The messages here seem to be the same we hear from the GOP every four years - we're gonna win at any cost! So if you're already behind them, that must be exhilarating to hear. For the undecideds I don't think this plays too well. Obama's message has been that we (the collective USA 'we') could turn things around this election year and do great things. For anyone on the fence, that means much more than simply electing another empty (pant)suit. I truly hope that the average American can see through this, and understand the importance of organizing our national community.

The bald truth is: this woman is for policies that produce poor results in her own home. Her husband works for an oil company (haven't we had enough of this?). There are questions about her ethics. She has affiliations that most would consider unpatriotic (if they understood them). She does not believe global climate change is at all manmade. But mostly... we have no idea what she stands for or how she may influence the national political agenda... and she just read the nation a speech that was written for "the vice presidential nominee".

This is the mcsame campaign that Bush ran, minus the buzzword "Maverick". I don't want to have a beer with any of them.

What is happening here is that a hypocrite is being exposed. When Larry Craig got the media boot-to-the-head it had nothing to do with sexism and it doesn't here either. It doesn't help that a lot of folks were floored by all the lies told by McLame last night... did you know he was a POW? No, really...

One would think they would have been more offended by the fish reference.

... was perfect. I have always wondered why Democrats never responded directly and forcefully.

Bravo.