Letters to the Editor
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You are right madam f
Unfortunately Ms. Walsh is taking Salon down with her. Every other commentator on TV last night said the obvious about Hillary's Wright comments - that she could have said what others have, such as McCain or Huckabee or HRC's own minister, to the effect that it was his minister's words, not Obama's, or she could have passed as her campaign had in the past -- the only two offering the lame "she was asked the question, what was she supposed to do?" excuse: Joan Walsh and Pat Buchanan (nice company Joan - Fox made you an offer yet?). Then Joan had to tell us Hillary wasn't lying about Bosnia, even as the video rolled showing her and her daughter smiling for the photo op with the little girl. Joan is proving to be every bit as good a liar as Hillary - guess they are made of the same cloth. Sad to see. Since Salon is no longer a site for responsible journalism and won't report on Hillary's Bosnia's lie, Carl Bernstein has a good write-up on it and the reasons why and her history of doing this on CNN's site.
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and as far as feminism
Hillary came up in a world where, for a woman to succeed, she had to be as cut throat or more than a man.
A woman had to learn how to play the man's game and play it better. Hence, Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, George Bush, etc., all have very similar character traits, though their policy positions may differ.
Along comes Obama, whose central contention is that the game itself is the problem.
He has attempted to play a different game, and with success.
Now, whatever you think of Obama's premise, that's the basic argument.
I don't like the game as played, whether it's conducted by Giuliani, Bush or Clinton, all of whom have issues of transparency, are incapable of responding to criticism, suffer unbelievable entitlement and hubris.
Obama, to his credit, has shown that he listens to criticism and can respond to it in an honest way.
Anyone who heard his speech knows that he's self-reflective and open to criticism.
This is why I'm convinced he'd be an excellent president, or at least, has tremendous potential. He adapts and learns and grows, but his response is not simply to pander, but to consider the criticism and then attempt to learn from it and to present his side of the story with humility and grace.
He could have just shouted back or evaded the issue with arrogance or jokes, the way Bush would have.
But he didn't.
Frankly, if we can't recognize just how special this guy is, God help us.
Not to say everyone must vote for him, but at least recognize and evaluate the very real strengths he has.
For my part, I've concluded that Hillary's strengths suit her better to policy jobs. A cabinet post, her current seat in the senate, whatever.
But I've not seen evidence that she brings anything unique to the table as a president.
The president hires wonks and then listens to them and makes decisions.
The problem with Bush wasn't that he was inexperienced, but that he's an entitled, empty, intellectually lazy, totally shallow hull of a man.
Whatever you can say about Obama, none of these things apply to him.
He'd make a great and original president, if only we'll give him a chance.
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GOP Attack Plan for Hillary
I don't think there is a republican alive (including Carl Rove) who could throw anything at Hillary and make it stick. Hillary has been vetted. It would be interesting to see them try and after she's done with them, they can go home and cry to their Mothers "A girl beat me up". If anyone doubts her preparedness for all the slinging you don't know the real Hillary. Chelsea to her credit had a question from an idiot at a college and was ready to respond and move on.
I worry more about Obama. He has given then new ammunition called the Rev. J Wright who is his "Mentor".. The Rev. Wright is a bigot, anti-American, anti-gay and anti-white. Obama has no business running for president knowing he sat through these so called sermons for twenty years. The GOP will go to the lack of patriotism for not saluting the flag or for refusing to wear a flag pin on his lapel. I am a Democrat and I have serious concerns about Obama which his slick speech has not addressed. Obama's speech mearly diverted attention away from him and put the onus on us. I guess the privileged man educated at Harvard knows little about the suffering of REAL African Americans. I will take 100 Hillarys to 1 Obama. Sad no one questions that. Oh that's right, race is too sensitive, but being sexist is somehow OK. Not in my world!!
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"McCain's campaign will... paint her support for ending the war in Iraq as a surrender to terrorists."
I've never understood why that attack isn't risky. It's not as if our troops sitting around being target practice for the terrorists is going to *impress* the terrorists in some way. Our being there is bad for us and good for them; making it out to be about us looking "cool" in the high school sense is the height of stupidity.
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@ Rose
"The Rev. Wright is a bigot, anti-American, anti-gay and anti-white."
Evidence, please?
"Obama has no business running for president knowing he sat through these so called sermons for twenty years."
Why not?
"The GOP will go to the lack of patriotism for not saluting the flag or for refusing to wear a flag pin on his lapel."
Par for the course. If that outweighs the fact that the Republican party has led us to the brink of ruination, then what can I say, we get the government we deserve.
"I am a Democrat and I have serious concerns about Obama which his slick speech has not addressed."
Such as?
"Obama's speech mearly diverted attention away from him and put the onus on us."
Come again?
"I guess the privileged man educated at Harvard knows little about the suffering of REAL African Americans."
What? Can you elaborate on the resentment you express here?
"I will take 100 Hillarys to 1 Obama. Sad no one questions that. Oh that's right, race is too sensitive, but being sexist is somehow OK. Not in my world!!"
What?
What in God's name are you talking about?
Can you maybe focus on one of those thoughts so we can have a real engagement? As it is, your thoughts are all over the place and leave little room for dialogue.