Clearly Nebulous

Must have struck a nerve...

Well, I don't imagine many of you read the comment I received re: my last entry -- I decided to use it for a brand new post -- along with my uncharacteristically snarky response. (What can I say? She got my Irish up! Muumuu indeed!)

"So what does all of this "fairy tale" lifestyle have to do with how well Sarah Palin could run the country?"

It's not a fairy tale lifestyle. It's a real lifestyle where people are real and concerns are real -- not chasing fashion or prestige or empty thrills. (And I never said it had anything to do with running the country.)

"Let's face it no one wants to be Sarah Palin, except for maybe you. I can only imagine how sad your life is considering you are longing for a married man (ie Mr. Sarah Palin)."

I am Sarah Palin. I have a great life, I'm married to a great man -- although he's lacking in the automotive repair skills -- and I have a great family. A pretty wonderful life, IMHO.

"Again we see how the Republicans are out of touch with modern day America and how YOU are out of touch with modern day women."

You all criticized Sarah Palin for not having a passport. Just how much time have you spent traveling through America? You know, that big stretch of land that liberals refer to as "fly-over" country? I myself have visited 45 states. I have seen modern day America from one end of the country to the other. How many women do you talk to outside of your own little bubble? I am not out of touch.

"Many women have the lives that you speak of so sarcastically - many women are like Carrie Bradshaw wearing tortuous shoes and raising the bar in glamorous careers- but still go home to loving husbands, a great community and a place where 'sister' and 'friend' are synonymous."

I don't doubt that this is true. But I was pointing out that there are many who aspire to live like the characters on that show -- characters written primarily by men I might add. They were the women lining the streets of New York for hours in stifling weather just to get a glimpse of them filming scenes for the movie, for cryin' out loud!

"Your blog reads more like it was written by Jennifer Jason Leigh's character in Single White Female rather than an intelligent, strong woman with something that matters to say."

Oh, don't sugar-coat things now. You have no idea how much my friends are laughing at how preposterous that statement is...

"I don't want to be Sarah Palin nor do I want to be Michelle Obama."

Well, you at least got the latter part right...

"I want to be the American that lives under a leader that I can not only trust but relate to."

If you actually relate to Obama, how can you trust him? The statement itself is a paradox.

"I want to live in an America that I can believe in - one that is for the people."

The people you know, or think deserve it, would be more accurate, doncha think?

"Not one single sentence that you have strung together matters when it comes to who can run this country."

I never proclaimed it had to do with being able to run the country. But does the fact that Sarah Palin wears her hair a certain way, or that she hunts, or that she talks with a certain accent have anything to do with running the country? Then why are certain women going bonkers over it?

"And people hate Sarah Palin not because of what they DO see in her but rather what they don't see in her...an experienced leader who could turn the turmoil and failure of our country around. No, a former beauty queen with a handsome husband does not a vice president make. And it doesn't even make a governor from what I hear."

You mean the turmoil and failure brought on by a Dem-controlled Congress? And you must only be talking to the 20% of Alaskans who disapprove of her -- and not those who make her the guv with the highest approval rating in the country. And who are you voting for if you're talking about an experienced leader? Oh! John McCain. You sure had me fooled.

"As a modern day American woman, I haven't even the slightest desire to "win a pageant and wear a crown. Even a little one." If that's what I wanted I could go to Claire's and get one and wear it...because it means nothing."

Ok, now you're just lying -- most women won't win a pageant and they fall into two categories: Those who still watch them and think -- oh what's the harm in a bit of dress-up and public speaking about important issues while winning a scholarship -- and those who scoff in spite.

Again, my friends are laughing at you -- I was the tomboy of the neighborhood. I was a feminist before it was cool. I have always stood up to men and fought to be given equal opportunity. And I'm teaching my daughters to do the same. And we watch pageants. Sure, I de-emphasize the swimsuit portion, but have you seen Miss Congeniality -- have you heard the final speech by Sandra Bullock? And why is it that pageants are bad, but being a Hooters girl or working in a strip club while you're getting your law degree is ok?

"My life is more than that and I'm looking for a candidate who understands that."

Sarah Palin's life has been so much more than that and you can't seem to get past it. She understands that women are moms, career women, small business owners, PTA members, etc who have myriad concerns. We're not pro-abortion and... hmmm, I can't think of anything else the Dems seem to think women care about the most. And neither can Emily's List since that is their sole criterion for endorsing candidates.

"Yes, our leaders should be wiser than us, even greater than us...but not just prettier than us (or you at least) or have sexier husbands than us. If that's what matters to you then I have a therapist I could recommend."

Now you're just being mean. (That's what mean girls do, try to make other girls not feel pretty.)  I never said that women want a leader who is prettier. (And, btw, my husband is just as sexy as Todd.) It's funny that you've turned this into that. I was just commenting on the vitriol being hurled at this woman. (Oh, and you have a therapist you can recommend? I'm sure you do!)

"And next year -should the two pigs in lipstick win the election - when you're walking around your house in your mumu not only bitter about your marriage and sad life, but also the continued decline of our nation. You can turn on the tv and say "At least Sarah has a wonderful life." And hopefully that will be enough for you to get by."

Wow! Where do you get the idea that I've ever worn a muumuu -- I don't look fat in that picture! Bitter about my marriage? I struck the jackpot and am madly in love with a great guy. Methinks you protest too much.

"I'm so annoyed that I stumbled upon this trash blog and wish I could get those few moments of my life back that I spent reading it."

Yes, there's still a little bit of foam on the corner of your mouth...

"Best of luck you!"

Somehow, I don't believe you... But right back atcha! And thanks for participating in the dialogue!

 

PDS: A Tale of Two Sarahs

You may have heard about the rants on Salon by the women suffering from PDS – Palin Derangement Syndrome. I’m no Dr. Drew, but I think I know why these women begin to lose their minds at the mere mention of a certain governor from Alaska. I believe it's because they simultaneously hate her and want to be her.

The dichotomy fries their brains and they begin foaming at the mouth and losing control of their bowels.

But how could they want to be her? It's another Sarah they've aspired to be -- Sarah Jessica Parker, or more accurately the character she played on Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw. They wanted the tortuous shoes, the glamorous career, and the unattainable Mr. Big. They wanted to smoke, drink, and flop into bed whenever and with whomever they pleased. Feeling lonely? Hop in a cab and hit the clubs. Broken heart? Move on to the next warm body. Pregnant? Terminate.

But they know that shacking up in their tiny, soulless apartments, working to exhaustion for the vacuous lifestyle, apparently having no family support system, and stumbling from one loveless relationship to the next has left them as empty shells.

What they really wanted was to have one great love -- to skip all the heartbreak, marry their high school sweetheart, and live happily ever after. To spend a lifetime together with a man's man, a guy who could simultaneously jump a dead battery, change a diaper and make you weak in the knees.

They wanted a big house in the wide open spaces where your parents and sisters are your best friends, live right up the road, and are ready at a moment's notice to sit down to a big meal, watch your kids, or give you a shoulder to cry on.

They may have been able to skip the pre-dawn hunting expeditions, but they all wanted to win a pageant and wear a crown. Even a little one.

But most of all they wanted the children they left in their wake. At the end of the day, all the Manolo Blahniks lined up in the closet can't compare to all the little pairs of rain boots lined up in the mudroom.

Sarah Palin has had all that. She didn't make all the sacrifices that they did. She didn't have to compromise herself, convincing herself that it was what needed to be done to get ahead. And she still got where she is today.

And it's making them crazy.

The Veep Debate: The Inevitable Question

Just like in the Alaskan gubernatorial debate,  you just know that they are going to throw the "If your daughter was raped..." scenario at the candidates.

Simply saying "I would choose life," as Sarah Palin did then, will not cut it. It will also miss a great opportunity to give a voice to those who do not support abortion-on-demand -- approximately 80-some percent of the electorate.

It should go something like this:

"Governor Palin, we know you that you are opposed to abortion even in cases of rape and incest, and would only allow it in cases to save the life of the mother. Would you support overturning Roe v. Wade?"

"I have my own personal belief about abortion, as does every American. However, very few Americans support the current circumstances resulting from that court decision and Doe v. Bolton-- abortion at any time, for any reason, with only one restriction that abortionists have found their way around. The vast majority of Americans believe in sensible restrictions.

If those court decisions were somehow overturned, abortion would not be made illegal throughout the land. But the voices of the overwhelmingly majority of Americans could then be heard in the halls of their state legislatures, and each state could decide for themselves what they would allow in their own communities."

"Well. if one of your daughters was raped and became pregnant, what would you tell her?"

"My daughters know that they would never need to hesitate to approach me about anything. If one of them came to me under those circumstances, it is clear to her that I would embrace her and her child because they both would be innocent victims. As a family and as a community, we would give her all the love and support that she and her baby need. Isn't that what we should do for every woman and child?"

That pro-life feminist message would undoubtedly make Joe Biden's "I would support whatever choice she made" ring extraordinarily hollow.

Fighting the Enemy Within... Cyberspace

So, first post in a while. I have been busy since my mother-in-law has joined our household. It's going very well so far, so wish me the best with that...

Back to Oprah. I was going to post about her first week on the air this season, about how I thought it was pretty typical, nothing too remarkable. But then she blew that week out of the water with her show that aired on September 16th.

It was a show that reminds you that Oprah is more than just fodder for tabloids, or a new age nut to ridicule. The power she has is a bit scary at times, but when put to proper use...

O opened the show with an illustration of how truly dangerous and pervasive the internet can be. She showed a map of the US, and a single point on Washington, D.C. which represented a single upload of child pornography by a pedophile on a given day not too long ago. She then showed how many times, across the country, that image was uploaded by other creeps in a matter of hours.

The map lit up like a giant Christmas tree -- point after point represented each of the heinous individuals delighting in the horrific exploitation of a child.

This was just one day, with one image.

Her guests then went on to relate the grand scope of this problem in our country. The statistics are nauseating. The acts the pedophiles are performing on younger and younger victims are unbelievable. The worst part is that experts estimate that less than one half of one percent of predators are even investigated. They are too quick and too savvy and too MANY.

The good news in all this is that a law enforcement officer has developed a software system that has proven highly effective in catching these perverted animals. The only problem is the funding that is needed to bring this system to law enforcement squads across our nation, and to provide the manpower to use the system to stop these monsters and bring them to justice.

Here is the link to the Oprah website's instructions on how to write your congressmen and women an email to urge them to support this funding on a national level with the PROTECT our Children Act.

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20080911_tows_predators

With all that is going on in the country right now, let's not allow this to get lost in the shuffle.

UPDATE

So, after I posted this, I did a little checking -- even something like this is not without controversy. The members of congress who first came up with this bill are refusing to have it stand alone. The sponsors would only let it pass if it is included in a package of unrelated bills that addresses less vital concerns such as the interstate commerce of non-human primates.

I had already sent my letter via the Oprah site, and I'm ok with that -- not happy about this development, but hopefully legislation will still go through. I just may write my congressmen again and ask that they push it through on its own...

UPDATE II

The act passed in both houses of congress! And I just heard that last December the House passed the Securing Adolescents from Exploitation Online Act, also know as the SAFE Act.  This legislation increases the penalties for Internet service providers (ISPs) that host child pornography on their servers. I did not find any record of it passing in the Senate. A new cause, Oprah?

Name Change for Emily's List?

The feminots over at Emily's List might want to consider a name change.

We hear how they have spent and will spend millions of dollars on campaigns this year -- they dumped nearly 1.5 million on Hillary alone. Every time I hear just how much money they are throwing around, I despair for a brief moment -- but then I say "Great! Let them amass as much money as they want! They're just going to waste it all on a losing cause."

To be sure, the pac organization has had it's successes. Sources say they helped Barbara Mikulski become the first female senator elected outright. But I did not see that they were a part of the first victory of Nancy Pelosi -- although I can't say for sure -- but if they did, that would be their biggest victory.

Because I dare say they had very little to do with Hillary's success. They weren't a vital cog in the Clinton machine -- Hillary would have done no worse without their help. Nonetheless, they fell short.

And while Emily's list was spending their millions, dreaming of the day they would be instrumental in having a pro-abortion woman in the White House, a little pac known as the Susan B. Anthony List plugged along against overwhelming odds.

Though they had the voters on their side, they had a far smaller budget to work with. Still they have persevered and I believe their success rate in races for Congress versus dollars spent has to be much higher than Emily's List.

The biggest example has just recently come to light. While EL was churning out big bucks to a campaign that ultimately failed, the SBA List was sending a modest amount to the former mayor of a small town in Alaska in her bid to become governor.

That's right. Emily's big fat bag o' cash failed while the Little Pac that Could and Sarah Palin prevailed!

Maybe they should change their name to Mamie's List -- Millions and Millions Isn't Enough.

9/11/08 -- Not a Time to Let Go

I awoke this morning and flipped on the news and of course was reminded what day it was. For about two seconds I thought that maybe it wouldn't hit me as hard as it has in the past.

How stupid that was. Folks know that I'm one of those cry-over-a greeting-card-commercial women. I find it hard to separate myself when I witness tragedy. I can't help but put myself in the shoes of the suffering and become overwhelmed by what I can only imagine they are going through.

So the cable news network starts showing a time line of events through footage from 2001. It all comes flooding back, and I am in tears once more.

But shouldn't we celebrate life and not dwell on the past? I think that is true for the rest of the year. But today I feel I have to honor the fallen and remember just what took place that day, so that I will never forget that we should never be complacent.

It is nothing short of miraculous -- but actually due to the work of countless individuals across the globe -- that we have not had another attack on home soil. But that doesn't mean it's time to realax.

Just as I will worry about my children to my dying day, wanting to protect them from harm -- I will never consider them home-free and I will always be concerned for their safety and well-being -- so should we feel about our country.

Let's hold her dear, and keep her safe -- it's a scary world out there.

I think it may be safe to say...

... that the Palins are Cubs fans!

I was one of the throngs who attended the McCain-Palin rally in Fairfax VA today. The crowd was more than twice as much as expected, a cop said at least 20,000 and the McCain camp said a few thousand more. There were people literally hanging in the trees to get a better look.

Fred Thompson was a nice surprise, introducing the ticket. The roar when Johnny B. Goode and Sarah America stepped up was overwhelming. It was as if a sleeping giant had awakened from a bad dream, and was delirious to discover that all was right with the world after all.

Yes, people went bonkers for Sarah, but I have to say it wasn't a crazy delirium -- it was an elixir that gave us all back that spring in our step and belief in our hearts.

Who cares what incredibly stupid things the other side said today -- we are so above it... We need do nothing but shoo them off like a fly and turn away.

So here is a video I managed to get as they candidates left -- I was thrilled that I figured out a spot to wait at, and they walked right below me.

The bonus was Todd's response to the question a guy shouted out for me above the crowd.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFGPAkmsq64

It's getting nasty out there...

in the blogosphere. I've been making a concerted effort to attract more visitors to my blog, so I've been posting on political websites and providing a link to my site. Well, my post about the hot mike elicited this comment from some faceless pro-abort. (Yes, the second part was all caps and in red, no less.)

"Pro-life for the unborn, pro-death for the living (in some faraway land for bonus points!).

WERE IT UP TO SARAH PALIN,
A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL,
PREGNANT BECAUSE HER DADDY RAPED HER,
MUST BEAR THE CHILD OF HER FATHER."

This was my reply:

Yes, I believe that there are thugs in this world who would slaughter me and my family just for my difference in religion.  I also feel that the lives of the majority of Iraqis are worth protecting from those thugs -- you see, I don't discriminate just because I can't see someone or haven't met them.

The same is true of the child of that 13-year-old rape victim. Why should that young woman be shamed into believing that there is something wrong with her child? She and her child are innocent victims of a horrendous act.

Why should she have her child ripped from her just because of the circumstances of how that innocent one entered this world? It is the rapist who should be ashamed and scorned and held accountable.

The young woman and her child should be embraced, told that they have done nothing wrong and that they both can hold their heads high.

A member of Feminists for Life, who was the product of a rape, once said: I have a right to be here.

And her mother said: She was the only good thing that came out of that horrible experience.

Why do we assume that young women are too weak to stand up for themselves and their children? When will society stop acting as though they couldn't possibly get through even the most difficult of times? If they need our love and support, we should be there for them -- not just make them feel that "of course, it's what you're expected to do."

Rape victims who abort have said they feel like they were violated twice. First by their rapist, and then by an abortionist. Both times being forced to do something they never would have chosen to do.

There are two other maddening aspects: First  is that it is often the abuser who forces the abortion. Victims of incest are dragged to clinics by their abusers to destroy the "evidence."

Second, the workers at the clinics stand by and don't report what is obviously child abuse. Letting these youngest victims fall through the cracks -- rationalizing that they are merely young women who made the "mature decision" to have sex -- as if *any* 13-year-old should be having sex -- all because the sacred rite of abortion should never be questioned...

Yeah, that Sarah Palin. She believes in the value of all young women and their children. How dare she.

One sigh says it all...

Here's the hot mike gaffe of the day: Shannyn Moore, a "progressive" Alaskan radio talk show host appeared on Fox News this past weekend. As Geraldo waxes poetically about Sarah Palin's pro-life feminist efforts as a mom who achieved great things while raising a large family, with one sigh Moore reveals the hypocrisy of the femi-nots.

While they say they recognize her achievements what they reveal is that they mock her, as Moore does in this post on a "progressive Alaskans" website:

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/08//shannyn-moores-take-on-gov-palins.html

What the pro-abortion crowd really only acknowledges is that it was great that Sarah had a choice. Because that's what it's ALL about. Choice. At all costs.

But this one sigh crystallizes their hypocrisy. They say what they want is for women to achieve in the world of men, but if someone actually does it while raising a large family -- including a special needs child -- that flies in the face of their argument that women need to have abortions  -- and especially need to be able to relieve themselves of the "burden" of a baby with Down syndrome -- in order to level the playing field.

Is this the face of feminism? Sighing with disdain when someone recounts the remarkable achievements of a woman? The majority of women in this country will answer that with their votes come November.

Hillary WHO?

I Still LoveHate Oprah

The storm is still brewing about OW's announcement. Her website has been bombarded with angry letters from fans of the show who say they now see her true colors.

Welcome to my world, ladies. Nice of you to finally join me. But now give Oprah a break.

It's not fair to say that O is showing favoritism because Barack and Michelle have appeared on her show. Technically they were on her show before he officially announced his candidacy. Once Oprah decided to publicly endorse him, it seems to make sense that she would therefore not have him or any other candidate make any appearances during the campaign, as her statement about this whole matter said.

Because you have to admit that it would be very difficult for her to appear impartial. I don't blame her for not wanting to open herself, and the reputation of her show, to the scrutiny that would most certainly ensue.

While other talk show hosts may tilt their hand about who they are favoring -- you just know who Ellen Degeneres and Joy Behar are going to vote for -- few, if any, make speeches out in public on his behalf. And, of course, they aren't Oprah. So they can easily get away with having the other guy on the show, being respectful (in Joy's case, while he's there, at least) and usually managing to have a bit of fun.

But this is where O is making her mistake: The unique circumstance of the Sarah Palin selection transcends the usual political scenarios. And we know O loves all things transcendental. Having Sarah make an appearance would not be political. It would be enlightening -- another of Oprah's Favorite Things.

I think if O made a few calls, she would find that the McCain team would agree to have Sarah talk as little about politics as possible. Just have it be a light-hearted meet-Oprah's-world conversation. And that it would only be fair if Senator Biden then did the same -- even though he's not new to the scene, he might be just as unknown, to O's viewers anyway.

And Senator McCain could also gracefully decline to appear, despite BO's previous appearances, because he recognizes that all this kerfuffle is not about him. Shrewd woman that she is, I think O will reconsider and come up with a plan not too unlike what I've suggested here.

If she doesn't, my opinion about her won't change. I've lovehated her from the start, and I will continue to do so. I don't think it will be the beginning of the end for her, by any stretch, but it does bring her down a notch.

And ultimately I think that it will jeopardize support for all the causes she endorses -- the reasons that I love her. And I really hate that.

Swinging in the Dairy State?

My husband, James Pethokoukis, business editor at US News (endearingly referred to as "Jimmy P."  by  Larry Kudlow) was driving from St. Paul to Chicago to see family before returning to D.C.

He was stopped for speeding (80 in a 65 zone) and as he was chatting it up with the trooper, he mentioned where he was coming from, and of course it led to talking about Sarah Palin. Jim told the trooper that he came up with Larry's favorite new name for the vp nom -- Sarah America!

Well, I don't want to get anyone in trouble but... the trooper smiled and said, "Hey, just slow it down." And sent him on his way.

Sarah Palin has already helped keep money in my family's pocket!

Heaven Forbid!

The number of times I have heard that phrase over the last week, in reference to the possibility of John McCain being elected and, heaven forbid, "something" happening to him. It's been even worse when they have mentioned his age or his bouts with skin cancer.

He could get hit by a meteorite, too. So let's leave the ageism and the health discrimination out of it, and let's look at what they're really trying to say here. The very question is, heaven forbid, if something were to happen, would Sarah Palin be able to take over?

Because, as they keep saying, that is the main responsibility of the vice president. Oh yeah, there's that tie-breaking thing, but how often does that happen? I don't know everything about Sarah Palin, but I'm willing to bet the farm on a couple of things.

First, I bet that as of last Thursday, she has been working her backside off to get herself up to speed. No, it will not happen overnight. But I trust that in the next two months, she will demonstrate that she has a firm grasp of the skills necessary for the job.

Then when she and McCain are elected, she's not going to just sit back and relax. Without any more traveling or campaigning to do, she will be able to kick it all into a higher gear. So in the 2 1/2 months leading up to 01-20-09, the day that every liberal has been waiting for --(I've seen the bumper stickers -- oh but it will look a lot different than what they thought!) she will continue the most important cram session in history known to womankind, and take the oath of office in good conscience.

Second, odds are that John McCain is not going to pull a William Henry Harrison. He will wear an overcoat at his inauguration, he will not speak for over 2 hours, and he will not ride through the streets in the cold rain. What are the odds he would die in the first year, heaven forbid, let alone the first month?

But even if Sarah had only a month, I see her rising to the challenge. She will devote all her energies to ensure that she would be ready... heaven forbid. (Oops, almost forgot that one!)

And since (as they keep saying)that's the only important duty required of a vice president, I'm sure there will still be plenty of time to join her husband, her parents, and extended family in the care of all her children -- so can we put that one to bed, too? I think she'll even have plenty of time to assist President McCain in those scruff-of-the-neck shakings.

And if, heaven forbid, she had to step into the highest office and she weren't prepared... I honestly believe that Sarah Palin is a class enough act that she would step aside. Though I personally think she would rise to the occasion as she always has and surprise us all once again --  on the off chance she could not, she would not cling to a position on a technicality.

She would not put the country at risk. Because she knows -- it's not all about her and her legacy. It's about the future of the land she loves.

The Day Time War Room #7: Oprah skerred of the barracuda

Oprah found herself in hot water with many of her fans when she chose to support Obama over Hillary -- and made matters worse when she derided them at a rally " 'Oprah, how could you?' " she said in a mocking manner.

Now her staff is divided because she's refusing to have Sarah Palin on her show -- despite email from her viewers flooding her mailbox, requesting to have Sarah on her show.

Much ado was made that O's ratings were down last year and Ellen's were way up. I guess O doesn't really care about losing less than 10% of over 12 million viewers -- she's still the most popular syndicated show by a wide margin.

But if O doesn't look out, she will lose more and more viewers. Sure shows like Ellen -- and maybe now Bonnie Hunt -- can be more appealing because they are a  lot more fun, and ED is a compassionate comedian who knows how to rev up a crowd. But she also wasn't afraid, and welcomed John McCain as a guest and had a sensible, light-hearted discussion.

Is O going to concede that she can't be be unbiased?

Oprah is touting the fact that her show now will be in HD -- big deal. She's already made it crystal clear what she really looks like.

Update:

On the Drudge Report there is this:

OPRAH'S STATEMENT: "The item in today's Drudge Report is categorically untrue. There has been absolutely no discussion about having Sarah Palin on my show. At the beginning of this Presidential campaign when I decided that I was going to take my first public stance in support of a candidate, I made the decision not to use my show as a platform for any of the candidates. I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over."

Every other talk show -- from the View, to Ellen, to Jon Stewart, to Leno and Letterman -- has had candidates on as *guests*. It's nothing to do with presenting a platform.

The top talk show -- the most *topical* talk show -- and we're supposed to believe that there has been *no* discussion?

Well, maybe if it went down like this...

Producers: "Wow ! Sarah Palin! We have *got* to..."

Oprah: "There will be no discussion about Sarah Palin."

BTW, Oprah -- After the campaign, Sarah Palin will be far too busy shaking up Washington as vice president to sit down to a cozy chat on your comfy couch.

Too Much to Hope For?

More to come soon about the presidential race -- but wait!

Did I just see a picture of Todd Palin with a Cubs hat on? Is Sarah Palin a Cubs fan?!

How will she be able to give her full attention to the campaign when the Cubs are in the play-offs?

Seriously, just when I thought I couldn't like her any more than I already do!

Is it too much to hope for? A World Series for the Cubs and a pro-life woman in the White House?

ps I also heard her sister say that Sarah's nephew is autistic. Another true connection!

Other Things on Television...

Though the past few days have been almost all-cable-news-all-the-time for me -- and a double-tuner tivo allows me to flip back and forth without missing anything -- I did manage to see a couple season premieres.

Last year's sensation Gossip Girl -- which I started watching from the start, because fellow FFLer Margaret Colin has a role -- returned with the tales of over-privileged east coast prep schoolers. This show is definitely a devilish delight for me -- and is definitely not a show for anyone under the age of 18 if you ask me, even though the main roles are age 17 or under. (Seriously, if you know anyone who is letting their teenagers watch this show, ask them if they have ever sat down and watched it with them. And if they watch it together on a regular basis, gently ask them if they're falling into the trying-to-be-your-kid's-friend trap.)

I'm conflicted about continuing to watch, and I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with the show. Because even though I honestly will watch a show sometimes to keep abreast of how badly Hollywood is contributing to the moral decline of society (sure go ahead, say that's a little over the top -- but think about it...) -- that's why I watched S&TC. You can't really criticize what you don't actually watch.

But a show I will definitely continue to watch is Bones -- and not just because David Boreanaz is my new celebrity crush. (Although when I heard his wife is a former Playmate of the Year, he went down a few notches.) More importantly, the lead role especially and the supporting female roles as well portray very strong, very smart and very capable women.

There is also a relationship between the two leads that is touching and intriguing -- kind of a cross between Moonlighting and The X-Files it is said -- that has been developed with thought and care.

I thought the premiere was pretty good, but unfortunately was over-occupied with sexual chatter. It's as if they felt it necessary to oversatiate our appetites that had reached a pique over the summer hiatus. I'm also not really buying the break-up of Angela and Hodgins -- oh, and I miss Zach. :(

So many more premieres to come and an election that is a true contest-- that tivo is going to get quite a workout.

The Daytime War Room #6: The Return

Thank goodness the waiting is over -- no more reruns for The View this week, and TOWS returns next week -- we can finally hear what Joy Behar thinks about foreign policy!

Oh wait -- she's still harping on the judges striking down Roe v. Wade as the most important issue of today. She still thinks that's what's on the minds of the women across this country who are raising families in a fast-paced, tumultuous world.

Oh and now JB is saying that the father of Bristol's baby -- that "his life is over." (No surprise, since she's in the camp of the guy who thinks having a baby is a punishment.) I guess she has never heard of happy-ever-afters that may have started out under a lot of pressure, but work because the couple comes together to meet the challenges as a committed team.

Not too many surprises in the first two days back for TLOTV -- Whoopi  was also going on about "choice" and JB is still sticking to the "McCain is just another Bush" lines. But Sherri, who has shown some conservative tendencies, being a practicing Christian, happily surprised me when she stood up to Barbara -- in a jovial, respectful overcome-with-enthusiasm sort of way -- to say you can't question that a woman who has 5 kids is ready to be in the White House. Way to go, Sherri!

Meanwhile, coming off the revelation that a study found that the endorsement of OW had a profound effect on the success of Obama's campaign, we were able to hear a snippet of what O thought about his acceptance speech:

"I got such a sense of hope and possibility. It was a transcendent moment. I felt really transformed by it."

Yes, the fact that millions are trusting the future of America -- the future of the civilized world -- to a man who gives us a sense of possibility -- not a proven track record -- does rise above all comprehension.

Kyra got the memo...

... that must have been sent to her from upstairs at CNN.

Kyra Phillips was the reporter that Bill Bennett took to task on Monday night for trying to give credence to a small group's slimy attempt to make an argument about sex ed in regards to Bristol Palin.

On Tuesday night, when Kyra filed her latest from the Last Frontier State, she was downright effusive about how excited the people of Alaska are about Sarah Palin's selection for the GOP ticket. No mention of any of the "scandals."

Look mommy, no more smears!

Indirect Hits

Well, Obama declared that family members are off limits, and that he would fire anyone on his staff engaging in rumor-mongering. He need not worry that he'll have to let anyone go.

Because the dirty work is being done for him -- not just by the internet whackos, mind you, but by the acronym that just made it into my vernacular -- the MSM -- mainstream media.

My husband has declared that the bias he has witnessed at both conventions is palpable and disturbing. Experienced newsmen are feeling uncomfortable pressure from their new boss at MSNBC to favor the DNC, and are being bullied by their less discerning colleagues. I have witnessed distinguished guests take CNN to task for smear tactics.

The MSM's defense? They're only reporting what "some people" or "certain groups" are saying. They're only letting the general public know what is being thrown around on the extremists in the blogosphere.

Bill Bennett took CNN to task for bringing up the political argument about sex ed in relation to the pregnancy of Bristol Palin. Wolf Blitzer sputtered that the reporter was only relating what the Alaskans for Some Euphemism for Abortion were saying. Bennett correctly pointed out that they were not obligated to convey such shameful discourse.

But it appears no admonishments will stop the MSM express. Their gonna ride that "just reporting what people are saying" train all the way to November.

Today, they were examining the fact that the Palin children were told that they were flying to Ohio for an anniversary celebration, and therefore it was very likely that Bristol had no idea that she was about to be thrust into the spotlight.

The latter is pure conjecture of course -- and totally flies in the face of the pro-abortion argument that young women of any age who have sex are capable of handling serious circumstances on their own -- but hey, they're just reporting what the sleaze balls with their desperate backs against the walls are spewing and who cares if reporting it on regular channels is what actually may be hurting the young woman's feelings.

They're not on Obama's payroll, but they're still in his pocket.

Who Exactly is Throwing Stones?

So word comes out today that Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant.

Pro-life feminists that they are, the Palin family acknowledged the challenges ahead with hope and support. The McCain camp said they knew the whole situation, and decided it did not change their desire to have Sarah join the ticket.

So a quick peak on the message boards at the major news sites showed the gross distortions that liberals are hurling at the Palins and the GOP in light of this story. Granted, there are a lot of kooks on those boards, but their vitriol reveals their desperation.

"Oh, there's family values for you!" they spit. Yes, good, strong families know that no one is perfect, that all babies are blessings, and that they pull together and support one another in tough times. They don't consider a baby a punishment, dispose of it, and then try to pretend like nothing happened.

"Maybe that woman should be taking better care of her family and forget politics," say others. So the liberals are telling women to go back to the kitchen? That a woman can't be a mom and a leader? That there's something wrong with a father stepping in to fill the role of caregiver?

There is more, but as I said -- they're desperate. They just don't know what to do with a woman who is so real, so down-to-earth, and so in-touch with the real world.

The tables have turned on the DNC ticket -- they are the ones who are the establishment, toeing the party-line, stuck in the muck of Washington. The GOP ticket is the one with true progressives, who are willing to stand up to their own, cross party lines, and get things done.

One of them while dealing with the real issues of pregnancy, childcare, and family. Issues that most Americans deal with every day.

So who's out of touch?

To his credit, after I posted, Obama came out to say that this is off the table. (But I can't help adding, it could have been because he knew a no-win when he saw it!)