"...shouldn't we stand behind our president?"

That final paragraph is SOLID GOLD.

What an apt visual (driven by cockerspaniels) and description of mood (hoping God rearranges the landscape).

Great writing!

Such wit, such nuance. So I guess we should sit in the dark (to stop global warming), keep the Chinese poor (so we can stop shopping at Wal-Mart) and of course sit around a campfire and sing Kum-ba-yah since we all know that if we are just nice enough to everyone, we can all be brothers. Yeah - we all can be in the moment too. Works both ways you know.

How about another fantasy - like constructive suggestions instead of sophomore Prairie humor?

You keep writin' 'em, Garrison, and I'll keep readin' 'em and to hell with those nose-pickers who just don't get it.

Ironclad, there are of course only two solutions: either continue walking towards the cliff or sit in the dark and sing kumbaya. You cannot imagine any other course of action? What a maroon!

A sly and subtle piece of socio-political commentary, Mr. Keillor. Too subtle for some, I guess. *cough*Ironclad*cough*

Dear Mr. Keillor,

Are you doing alright these days? I read your column every week, and I've been concerned about you lately, since you seem so melancholy. Perhaps it's only the MN winter giving you the blues, and that's totally understandble. However, if it's something more serious, I just wanted to assure you that your loyal readers think that your brand of humor is just what we need to chase away our own low moods.

So, Mr. Keillor, I hope that my letter assures you that we care and that we hope you're doing fine. A good, honest midwestern voice is what we need to hear these days, and yours fits the bill quite nicely.

Your fan,

Louise A Brouillette

This is a greaaat story! It's nice to know I'm not the only one witness to this surreal journey. Maybe the 2006 elections may put someone else in the driver's seat. We can only hope . . . . and pray - a lot -

Thank you sickduck.

And thank you Garrison!

I have been warmed and enlightened by everything you have ever written or spoken. Such insight and erudition, a feast for my brain and heart, my Soul, if you will.

And "Ironwhatever" (I forgot already, a fitting tribute to your own impact on my intellect) the world is filled with options.

You and BushCo could actually start with the Bible, the very book those morally bankrupt morons use to beat the hopelessly hopeful into submission, and use to justify their own lack of higher reasoning.

Only a diehard recalcitrant NeoCon would follow these clowns any further than the next election, and then, only for the promised payday for the properly invested: Halliburton, Carlyle Group, ad nauseum

I'm a happy banana. Look at me!

Keillor recently penned an entire book on "Suggestions," it's entitled "Homegrown Democrat," I suggest you give it a read. Now, just in case you're not in the mood for reading, I'll give my own summary of Mr. Keillor's advice.

A)Stop running away from liberalism. Government isn't evil, it's run by people we choose, it only gets corrupt if we let it, and that usually only persists at the national level, so work locally.

B)Defend the entitlement programs. Government ought to help out those in need, its the decent thing to do in the land of opportunity. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid they're all widely suppoprted, just like the local police department, the fire department and the school board. Support schools and better pay for teachers.

C)Defend minorities, women, the poor, the elderly, the young. Stop ignoring these people and don't be ashamed. If TV news makes you ashamed to want to help your fellow Americans, blame TV, not your beliefs.

D)Support labor. It is the corner stone of the little guy versus big business. Corporations aren't beloved in this country, Democrats have simply walked away from labor.

E)Support the second amendment, but why do we need machine guns, limits are ok. Don't deny religion plays a big part in American life. Embrace religion and religious choice.

Overall his message is one that apppeals to the commmon man. Stick with what's worked for Democrats in the past, don't continue down this free trade, anti-government, pro-corporation path to win the middle.

So yeah he has suggestions, too bad national democrats, in large part, don't listen. Notice on Alito they won't filibuster although they concede he will likely end up changing abortion law substantially. Keillor, I believe, would argue that you're better standing up for what you belive in. You can't win everytime, triangulating and trying to win votes by being moderates doesn't work.

Although I can't seem to get that Jack Handy taste out of my mouth after reading the part where the guy who killed his parents for the insurance money is confiding in his best friend about his crime. Uncharacteristically twisted stuff coming from Keillor this week. Twisted and brilliant.

Dear Everybody who just read that awful article,

first of all, the first thing you have to know about Garrison Keiller is that, like all the liberals media, he don't take the time to identify his sources and is just talking his head off to get more attention on his radio show. I've heard it. It wasn't no good.

I tried at least six or seven time to listen to that show, and I could never understand word ONE of any of it. I bet no one can. Can you? It's just awful.

the way they do it these days, you can just say or write any kind of ignernt things and they put you on the radio or tv.

THAT is what this so-called Garrison Kelier is doing.

Another of the things he was just dead wrong on was how he went on about Al Gore. He wanted Al gore to be elcteded Prsident, which was ignernt also. Al Gore is more Nellier than any florists I have seen. One thing Mr Radio-Man Garison Keillor might want to take a look at is why can't the democrats get somebody for president who don't hiss like a queen? That's IGENERNT. they need to put up somebody who knows how to TALK RIGHT, and not be waving his hands all around while he talks in thqt excited way like a girl and then try to get a vote to be president?

No way, is what I say.

No wonder nobody votes for them. that's what I'm trying to say.

Anyway the point is that Garrison Keillor just talks all out of his head, just like oprah and the Jerry Springer show, only slightly more restraineded.

I don't think no one listens to him no more, which is just why he is doing this for his garrison Keeler show of Home Companions.. To get ATTENTNTION from others. that's the reason why he does it.

Don't give him the satisfaction!

He goes on and on and flirts with every girl he gets to come on his show also to sing, and I think that more than proves my point about him.

It's so disgusting.

Also, he makes a point of going on and on about how he and his wife got a baby. I think that sort of thing is best kept private. But I am old fashioned, I guess. I guess that makes me dumb and not like him, all smart and with a radio show to go on about stuff that is best kept very private between a husband and wife.

Another main point I have is why don't he do something himself instead of just talking on the radio

that's my question.

Sincerely

David Terry (Bachelor)

email: dterrydraw@aol.com

website: www.davidterryart.com