Well, you have to admit that by inviting her grandchildren to join her up there, she has given them a very special memory. Even if they are too young to really recall the day in the future, they'll be able to see pictures of themselves up there. What a special treat for them! In a loving, pride-filled gesture, they were included in an event that made history for our nation, for women and for their family alike.

I don't know how other newly sworn-in Speakers have marked the occassion, but I don't see any way that Nancy Pelosi's choice in the matter does any harm. She seemed to be approaching the event as a celebration, and I celebrate with her. Her beaming smile was genuine and joyful, and I was surprised to find myself getting choked up. A woman is Speaker of the House! It's about time, and I'm sure she is at least as deserving (or not) as every other occupant of the position has been. Let her do it her way, and more power to her. Perhaps including her grandchildren just plain gave her joy, and it certainly didn't hurt the rest of us.

I was heartened to see Pelosi with her grandkids. I, personally, liked it.

But the passing-of-the-whip ceremony is, to me, just a little on the creepy side in all sorts of ways. I wouldn't like to be standing up in front of an audience holding a whip. I say, ditch the whip.

pelosi surrounded by many children is nice but i remember femininsts from my era who screamed at such a scene. somehow everything is nice when it comes to democratic selfpresentation, but it is all wrong when others do it. different attributions to same events. i personally dont care because i have become inured to this. even today i listened to pbs overview of teachers unions and dues and heard the commentator say it was such a small minority that saw this as a problem so it was not a problem and could be dismissed. and i gulped. since when do the liberals dismiss small minority of discontents in anything unless it goes with their interests then of course, it becoems just a small problem. apparently pelosi did not get the same treatment from hell that was given to roberts and his brood when he was confirmed by that smug little style commentator in washington post. it will be an interesting year to catalogue the list of delights in the new order.

Now is not the time for street theater. For Clyburn to take the whip form the Republican would have looked like a passing of corruption from one party to the other. This way, the passing was both racially neutral and symbolically "clean".

Dickerson did a good job on the Pelosi angle. There is no shame in being proud of childrearing and family. It is a skill, and doing it well deserves respect. I did not see her picture with the grandchildren as having anything to do with showing that she's not _____ (fill in the blank). Since Republicans (and some male Democrats) are after her as incompetent and nepotistic (traditional insults to women in power positions), I was pleased she did not buckle under and hide her kids to do that Manifesta "male clone" response. She will wield power the way she wants, depite those who try to pidgeon hole her.

I am not happy about the Clyburn stuff. That was...what? His action was equally nuanced, equally, valid, equally intelligent. Why argue for a hoodish, vicious play that would give his critics something to bleat about? Why not expend the same nuance here?

Both ceremonies deserved plaudits. Too bad that didn't happen here.

Why is it whenever someone points out how parents are automatically regarded as mature stable people--and single/non-childed folks are not--they are accused of "disrespecting" parents? Guess I should update my question of earlier: if being married-with-kids makes people instantly perfect, why are some folks so all-fired touchy about it and quick to defend it. Shouldn't its excellence be apparent for all to see? ;)

Perhaps what our elected officials need is a daily reminder of why this all matters.

Imagine the career of Strom Thurmond had he chosen to include all of his children. Including Essie Washington.

I'd like our elected officials to also invite to the podium each of their adulterous affairs, as well, and any offspring they produced.

What Nancy Pelosi did was to share unashamed pride on her brood. Too many on the Right pay lip service to children and family. Too many on the Left (particularly feminists, go figure) are quick to disrespect a woman who chooses to be a parent, let alone a good one.

Shame on all of you losers.

>That's the thing -- he didn't have actual parents himself, and he probably never saw his daughters when they were younger, as he was running around steeped in an alcoholic haze.<

Ah, but when he was running for president, the quality of his parenting didn't come into play--wasn't even mentioned. What was sold--and what helped sucker folks in--was the fact he had kids, which was used to copperrivet the "Bush is a trustworthy honorable, Godly man" image. He didn't have to be a good father; he just had to have children--and it speaks volumes that politicians have to keep making a point of their married/kids status when campaigning.

>That being said, I don't hold with the idea that parenthood is to be undertaken as a cure for one's one childishness. If you're an asshole pre-parenting, having kids will probably not make you less of one and in fact may very well make you more of one.<

Unfortunately, there are still too many people (Dickerson included) who believe that parenting automatically makes you grown--and a person to at last take seriously, to boot. I would give a million dollars to see how folks like this would survive if all the single/non-childed folks they rely on in their lives--and whose "immature" judgements they depend on in a variety of ways--suddenly disappeared. It's doubtful said folks ever look past their "it's all about me, my spouse, and kids" to even think about such...