All I can say is Cary is not a parent. I do not condone or encourage LW's parents or their actions, but Cary has not a whit of a clue for what emotional baggage and foolery is involved in parenting. Parents want idyllic lives for their children, which usually means a life and lifestyle they can understand, appreciate and value. While that's not life for LW, that's often what passes for parenting, even with all its flaws and quirks.

For good or ill, the parents are reacting to LW. LW is reacting to them. In time, the parents may be able to come around, and while in the short run that may be painful for LW, that's what parents are often like.

Oh, I note the "Austin" reference. While Austin may be a liberal spot, it sits squarely in the midst of Fundyland. The parents are reacting based on what they know and have learned in that context, most likely.

As I say, I don't condone their actions, but LW and Cary need to recognize the parents (over-) reactions are true to what they know.

that a cabinet official--appointed--has a different role in the political process than an elected official who must run for election.

It may well be that Vilsack will be fine.

And, may I add (not specifically in re: this piece) that I'm really tired of my fellow progressives and liberals for whining and barking about the selections Obama's been making because they're not liberal/progressive enough.

Give it a rest, people! Let the guy get into office. Have your pens and keyboards ready to roll, but let the guy get his team together before you biatch so whiningly about it.

(Did I use forms of "whining" twice? Why, yes, yes I did. Intentionally.)

It's as if we can't let go of complaining about every move the Bush administration made (justifiably). This is "our" guy, one who will move mostly in a fashion we like as liberals and progressives. Sure, some may not please us to the full extent but he'll be a vast improvement over the Current Occupant. None of us will be 100% happy with every move, but let him assemble his administration and get ready to govern! This will be the toughest transition in modern history and folks are bashing and grousing. Let it go! He's NOT McCain.

I repeat: Give it a rest, liberals!

George Ryan was initially assigned to the prison camp in Wisconsin; he was moved to Terre Haute not long ago to be closer to his family.

While the name of the company was shared in common with the family, the origin of the name of Wrigley Field is, in fact, P. K. Wrigley. Just as Crosley Field was named for the Crosley family who owned the Reds and the radio manufacturers...

We'll be in the rest of Grant Park, and if the crowds become too overwhelming, in our hotel room, overlooking Michigan Avenue. We made the arrangements some time back.

Obama's win: +7.8% popular vote

EV count: 409 blue, 129 red (Kerry states, plus all the toss-ups, and steals MT, ND, SD, GA & AZ)

House: +35 blue

Senate: +8 blue, and (later) Chambliss runoff

Others:

Pa. 12: Russell wins

Minn. 6: Tinklenberg wins

Ga. Senate: runoff, Martin wins

Minn. Senate: Franken 44, Coleman 42, Barkley 14

N. C. Senate: Hagan +6

Tie breaker:

9:39 EST, by CNN

I'm counting on a big roll up in the unpolled/new voter for Obama. Maybe I'm fantasizing, but I'm just glad the whole thing is coming to a finish!

YMMV

Mattingly must be looking for a job with the Republicans after the election because that answer was unquestionably the most goofy of this article.

Folks, I'm no fan of McCain, so I don't want this to be thought of otherwise. Still, I have a serious question: is there something physically wrong with McCain--yes, I know the POW damage and the lasting after effects.

I'm talking about the left side of the man's face, and his left eye. His cheek/jowl appears to be growing, and his left eye seems to be drooping or trailing or...something.

My wife's an eye doctor and she noticed it first, watching the television screen when he was announcing his "suspension" yesterday in rerun. I didn't pay any attention to her, and then I saw the same video and said to my wife, "what's wrong with him?"

I also noted that the side of his face in a lower-light setting, looked mottled and red.

I'd love to be wrong, here, and I hope someone can confirm or clearly deny that what I'm observing on television (cable no less) isn't true. My curiosity is simple...has anyone else noticed this?

Just ask my nutcase, gun-toting, Harley-riding, mother-in-law- of-a-Marine sister. They are. And they do believe this drivel.

May FSM help us all.

Just what the Republicans need, comparisons to the pair of grouchy old guys in the Muppets' balcony.

Go for it!

Hillary was born in Chicago, raised in Park Ridge, a nearby suburb.

Scranton was her father's hometown. She vacationed there and had family there, but it was never her home, despite what she claimed or this article asserts.

And it seems fitting that the brother of a "Goldwater Girl" would go play with McCain.

You know, this piece was just fine without the asterisked snark at the end about the church's architecture and drivers wizzing on the Turnpike.

So, it's not to your taste. BFD.

Stick to the political commentary. If you need to go off on the vagaries of modern church design, write an opinion piece and submit it to Salon.

for the lack of tag control...it's too early

If the substitution of "Pelosi & Reid" is made for Blue Dogs, I'm all in favor, folks. I just don't think you can elect and maintain a working majority before you have one</> by chucking, for the sake of purity, people from the party.