“As listener of (but not necessarily a fan) Dr. Laura, I have to commend her integrity. While you may criticize her views, you must respect the fact that unlike most conservative Republicans, she did not abandon her core message in order to laud Sarah Palin.”

I am a listener of Dr.Laura as well, (In fact she is on in the backround as I write….) And while I was glad to read her horror/displeasure of the pick of Sara Palin by John McCain (or more accurately, the handlers of John McCain) - in my opinion she gives up all integrity by saying while she cannot support Sara Palin for VP, and will not endorse her or vote for HER, she will vote for John McCain anyway…. This for me is extremely hypocritical of Dr. Laura. A vote for J MAC, IS most undeniably a vote for Sara. Supporting J Mac (and the current Republican forces that be) who supports all things Palin is actually a vote to abandon the Dr Laura core “family-values” that Palin does not bring to the white house if elected. (and speaking of “small town family values” that was chanted ad nauseum by speakers at the Republican Convention - why isn’t anyone questioning the ethics/integrity of JM who had an affair on his first wife and then abandoned her and their marriage and their children to marry the EXTREMELY wealthy mistress….. hmmm. And those disgusting jokes about a woman enjoying rape by a gorilla and Chelsea Clinton having Janet Reno as her father - ugh - why are we “forgetting”/ignoring this?!!!) A vote for the McCain/Palin ticket is a vote/support for Palin to be our potential President and support for everything she has done in her life to get to where she is now - including not being home to raise her own children, (and see where that has led, a son who was arrested for serious vandalism of a fleet of school buses when he was in high school, and a 16 year old pregnant unwed daughter - one can only imagine how different THEIR lives could have been if their mother was home with them after school and on week-ends….) Barracuda is NOT a positive term, and it saddens me that being ruthless, dangerous, aggressive, predatory, sharp toothed, scaly, cold, etc is being lauded as a positive trait in a leader rather than scary/negative. And now she has a special needs BABY! and instead of being home with him, bonding and breast-feeding, she is out on the road for weeks at a time either leaving him with a nanny and formula, or dangling him like a prop/accessory in front of crowds, noise, bright lights - I mean - who does this sort of thing??? Not a person I could support to be leader of me or my children even if she may support some of my core religious beliefs - She doesn’t live the walk that she talks - and this is BAAAAAAD. And in my opinion, if Dr. Laura is going to vote for her, then she supports her - there is no way around this one - and thus, no “integrity” for Dr. Laura - she is a hypocrite on this subject. I would respect Dr. Laura and be impressed only if she called out Sen. McCain for making such an irresponsible choice for the second highest office in this country, and holding him ACCOUNTABLE for such a choice that she finds irresponsible by NOT voting for him/NOT supporting him and the way he makes decisions on very important issues.

Now who has the weird name - whatever, just to further clarify, that is not my ‘real’ name either. I will stand by my original comments, I too live in a very beautiful part of the continent, in a province (British Columbia), actually just below you…..ummm I know you’re an American, let me redefine that for you, a province is what you call a ’state’ and we have provinces in a country called Canada. Anyways, our province and the cities and scenery in it have been noted as the most beautiful place to live in the world(Travellers Magazine) for all kinds of reason, our outdoor lifestyle, not to mention our cosmopolitan culture, but we still manage to name our kids in a more traditional way. I think to do otherwise is…well…affected. Okay, now that that’s been cleared up, for the record I am an American citizen registered to vote in the state of Colorado. Sarah Palin’s true colors will very soon come in to the light and it will be fabulous to watch her squirm when the media gets hold of her. Following that we will have the supreme joy of watching her go up against Joe Biden in a debate, I can’t wait to make the popcorn for that one! So far all we’ve heard for the last 10 days is a platform that sounds a lot like she is running for governor of Alaska again. I can recite her speeches at nauseam, she really needs to sing a new song! We have all heard about ‘that bridge to nowhere’ and her ’sale’ as she put it of the plane on E-Bay. Can’t wait til the reporters face her with the facts of both those little ‘tales that she has woven over and over and over….she says she and John McCain are going to ’shake things up in Washington’ and all her supporters go nuts cheering and clapping, but then she says nothing of how they would do that - there is absolutely NO SUBSTANCE, she is a gifted speaker and would appear to have great wit, but ummmm we’re not looking for a talk show host now are we.

Sarah Palin is putting her political ambitions ahead of her family needs. No PC claptrap can change this fact. She has a pregnant 17 year old who needs a ton of support at a very difficult time in her life. Her daughter is soon to be a new mom and wife with no real life experience to guide her along the way. She needs her dad and MOM to be there. Palin has a special needs INFANT who also needs support and love and attention. Down’s Syndrome children are as much a blessing as every child, but they have more than average needs. To go back to work in THREE days is ridiculous for any new mom. What in the world is more important than that tiny being that just come from within your body and from underneath your heart? Alaska was not going to fall of the face of the earth without Palin.

There are only so many hours in the day. Between travel, vetting, learning/strategy sessions, speechmaking, photo ops, interviews, wardrobe fittings, etc. Sarah Palin will have very little REAL time to spend with her children. Running for office is all-consuming and simply having the kids in a playpen or in the office is not the same as active parenting. Some families have no choice but to be gone. Palin does have a choice and she choses not to actively parent her children. And no, ACTIVE parenting does not involve nannies and handlers and photo ops.

Those who question why “no men are asked these questions” are hiding behind the worst parts of the equal rights movement. Hiding from what is right and wrong by pointing the finger at the other guy and saying, “well he’s doing it, too!” If Obama, Biden, and McCain had the same family circumstances, I would be questioning their judgement as well. There is something sacred about being a woman and a mom. There is a sacred responsibility that comes with the name “Mom”. To pretend that it is just another “role” is saddening.

Palin should not get a pass simply because she is a woman and you want to soothe your own conflicted, guilty feelings. Sarah Palin is neglecting her family. Sarah Palin is stretched thin and is held up as a “Superwoman” and an example for us all to follow. It is not some big win for women. It is yet another unachievable fantasy being sold to us.

As a young woman being “just interested” in women’s rights was not an option. You either believed we had rights or did not. I worked to promote the movement and later landed the corporate job of my dreams. I traveled alot so my three children were cared for by my mother, who was vastly underpaid I now realize. My husband was without a wife much of the time.

After my children grew up and came home for visits, their favorite game of “how BAD we were” (as kids) became their adult connection to each other as they discussed raising their own children. As they laughed, poked fun at one or the other who got into trouble with Granny, I realized that I had no knowledge of the events they were talking about. I was not on their radar scope during those formative years. Granny was their guidance counselor, and I was only their paycheck. Life is about choices, it is also about making the right one.

In one regard you are correct, Obama will not raise individual taxes if you earn under $250K, what is plan involves is to raise taxes on ALL corporations, ALL business owners, Oil companies, and higher fuel taxes.

Maybe you have no experience as an owner of a corporation or business, but do you honestly think that any tax raise will not be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices for goods and services??? ALL businesses are in the business to make a profit, they are NOT in business to act as a charity.

So as long as you don’t buy anything, eat anything or go anywhere, your taxes won’t be raised.

I am of the opinion that lower taxes fund the capital expansion needed to create more jobs, more opportunities, and yes, more wealth, which further creates more jobs, etc. etc. etc.

Do you honestly believe that anyone who makes lots of money, just puts that money in the bank and sits on it. are you really that nieve?? People with lots of money, invest it in our economy to create jobs and yes more wealth.

PLEASE take an economy 101 course and learn the basics of economics!!!!!!!!

To Patricerie;
evidently you have never been to Alaska. it is a HUGE state, a WILD state, and a state of unsurpassed beauty. Parents in that state tend to name their children with a reflection of the beauty there.
I would rather have her kids name, than your’s, which I think is weird, but then that is only my little opinion.

THIS woman is the appeal to moral authority? If this is the best Palin’s enemies, have Obama is in trouble.

I’ll go a step further, if Dr. Laura’s opinion of Palin is representative of her political enemies, Mccain should already higher a United Van Lines truck to move his furniture into the White House.

“There is a reason people come to America it is called FREEDOM and OPPORTUNITY. Too much government hurts both. McCain will defend freedom and increase opportunity for all. Obama will increase taxes.”

Kathy, how exactly is McCain going to defend freedom and increase opportunity for all? I watched his entire speech, and of Palin, and to be honest, I don’t recall any sharing of ideas/plans to do anything specific to help anyone other than big oil companies and corporations like Haliburton who are making record breaking obscene profits from the war in Iraq while returning soldiers, have problems getting basic health needs met, and have families living at poverty levels and who are given little/no opportunity to get jobs after their tours expire - even education opportunities which were promised for enlisting soldiers are being revoked if they get injured during service and have to come home before finishing a tour - tsk. I know that McCain will “drill drill drill” for more oil rather than support alternatives to oil which would most definitely give Americans an OPPORTUNITY to become non-dependent on foreign sources because we would be independent from oil! We would have FREEDOM of choice because choices would be available. (But NOT if McCain and Palin have their way - oil oil and more oil) I know that he and Palin are for MORE government, not less when it comes to who we can marry, what should be taught in schools, how we make medical choices, who should join the military (McCain is pro-draft), what opiate drugs are legal and not, what herbs are legal and not, Government surveillance without checks and balances, etc. Kathy, what opportunities does McCain propose/support???

Obama gave MANY examples of ways that he would expand opportunity and freedom for Americans. Better more affordable education for more Americans, more access and more affordable health care which leads to greater freedom of life and opportunity to live well. Support for research for medical breakthroughs. Support for CHOICE (which I read as FREEDOM) when it comes to women’s health issues. He would support equal pay for equal work, tax benefits for companies that don’t take jobs over-seas, incentives for companies who clean up their toxic output etc. And much much more laid out in just one speech. And again, what is McCain going to do actually - please, just one example, just one……

Kathy writes: “Obama will increase taxes. Don’t be fooled!”

Kathy, do you make over $250,000 per year? Because if you don’t, Obama is NOT going to raise your taxes. In fact, if you make less than a certain amount, he will LOWER your taxes. However, it is true, if you are a high profit corporation, such as Exxon, or a millionaire or even a person making over $250,000/year, your taxes, and only your taxes will go up in proportion to how much is being made. And girlfriend, if you are in that top 1% of Americans who are making so much money, than I should hope that you would be so grateful for the opportunities that did lead to such success, that sharing a little bit to help so many would give great satisfaction and joy. It’s not like a person who is making a million dollars/year is going to suddenly pay 75% in taxes, perhaps an extra few thousand - out of over a million - please, let’s get real on this subject. Anyone who believes that Obama is going to raise everyone’s taxes is the one being lied to and FOOLED!

Obama has made it VERY CLEAR on many occasions that taxes WILL NOT BE RAISED for 99% of Americans. Anyone who says differently is either misinformed or just plain out LYING!

Kathy wrote: “Also how can he be pro-choice and against abortion at the same time? HOW does Obama plan to decrease abortions?”

I will tell you how. Pro-choice means less government and more freedom. (Ironic, isn’t it?) Pro-choice only means that each American woman has a right to CHOICE based on her own religious/personal beliefs on when cell grouping is considered “viable life”, or rather living cells. For Obama, he believes that personally for religious reasons an abortion terminates a life that he would prefer would have had an opportunity to develop and live. But at the same time, he appreciates that many people don’t share his own personal belief as to when exactly “Life” begins in the sense that it is an actual baby. Believing that LIFE BEGINS at conception is a very religious way of considering the beginning stages of early embryonic cell development - not all people share this religious view and in a FREE society, they too should have the constitutional right to live their lives according to their own beliefs, not necessarily Christian based beliefs. Especially in cases of Rape!!! Pro-choice is not anti baby or supporting killing embryos in later-term development - this is important. So a person can be anti-abortion and pro-choice.

Obama clearly has stated that one way to decrease the number of women who may want an abortion is to reduce first the number of woman who get pregnant when they don’t want to be - especially teenagers! The best way is sex education. Statistics show that abstinence education ONLY is NOT WORKING! (Yes, Bristol Palin is a great example of this). Kids need access to and education about birth control and just say no training. Birth Control must not be demonized as evil, and if it is available, kids will use it and not get pregnant. Kids will not give up sex; this is naive and is proving to be a problem for unwanted pregnancy. Sex education is not instead of abstinence education, but in addition to it! Obama supports using BOTH approaches to ultimately limit unwanted pregnancy, thus reducing the number of girls/women who may want to choose abortion as a painful solution; but still give those women a choice.

Kathy wrote: “Something that we need in America more opportunity for all “to work” less taxes to pay and be wasted by big government.”

Again, how is McCain going to give Americans more opportunity to work when he supports shipping jobs overseas as a Corps. right to make bigger profits? He is against money for higher education and work training programs. He is against benefits for returning vets to educate them and get them into the work force after fighting for years. He is against early childhood education for all kids. He is against health care for men and women who get sick as a result of working in toxic/dangerous environments, etc - how does this help get people to work?

Billions of dollars of our tax money is going to Iraq daily; McCain wants this to continue and pledges to do so. McCain wants government to pay MORE for oil development and exploration in National Parks and Monument areas. McCain wants more policing of more Americans phones and computers. More tax relief to companies who make the biggest profits. And this is not “waste”?

Obama wants better and more accessible education, healthcare for all children and more accessible plans for adults, better pension protection, alternatives to the highest toxic polluters for cleaner/safer water and air, benefits for returning soldiers whether injured or not/ benefits for families of soldiers killed in action, etc. - and this is Government spending “wasted”???????

SIGH

He only wants to raise the taxes of corporations, large and small business owners, oil companies, and higher fuel taxes…….
so as long as you don’t buy anything, eat anything or go anywhere, your taxes won’t be raised.

So don’t worry about higher taxes, they won’t affect you!!!!!!!!!!

Fundamentalists (whether Muslim, Jewish or Christian) who attempt to make their blessed books the ultimate source of guidance for their spiritual and corporal lives, are making an error.

Why do I say “out of context”? Because they were written long ago by people. And because they have been translated and revised over the centuries. The writing is wonderful. But the world has changed.

We have an election currently underway in which positions are “taken out of context” on a regular basis. Some of these statements are only moments old before they are “taken out of context”. That is true despite the fact that we live in the present and understand the common usage of the words being written or uttered. And never in the history of mankind has it been easier to communicate.

Using the Holy Bible to bolster a political position is reprehensible, manipulative and ultimately cheapens spiritual faith. Beyond that, it separates us (the family of humanity)along arbitrary lines.

Following rules in the absence of understanding the spirit of the rules is to reject the most important God-given gift to people. The gift of free will. Any religious doctrine that espouses goodness but in its strict interpretation ultimately causes the death or suffering of others should cause us concern.

A political party that supports greed and ambition for the sole purpose of accumulating wealth at the expense of others is not one I would wish to follow.

I know I have rambled a bit. But I hope this makes some sense to a few. Were Jesus alive today in the United States, I think he would be apolitical and spend his time doing the real work of caring for his fellow man.

Let’s look too at Obama and McCain’s views about a commandment: thou shalt not lie. Obama’s campaign has said repeatedly that it will not deceive voters, and it has followed through. McCain’s campaign has used Rovian tactics to twist Obama’s record, Palin’s record (e.g. the plane did not sell on EBay and sold at a loss eventually) If you don’t believe me, check out how many laws Obama has sponsored and authored at both the state and federal level. “Thou shalt not bear false witness”: who is living it, and who gives it lip-service?

How about Matthew 25:40? The McCain campaign first opposed but now promotes extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy; Obama supports cutting taxes for 95% of Americans. Meanwhile, the income disparity in this country is at one of its highest levels in history, and your average American got no benefit whatsoever from the Bush economic recovery. Who supports the least of us?

And let’s turn to the Beatitudes: “blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). McCain spoke in his nomination address about doing everything he could for peace, but this is the man who supported the Iraq war on scanty evidence and who thought it was funny to sing, “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran.” Is that doing everything he can to avoid war? Obama has been clear: talk through problems; go to war as a last resort.
It was costing the US $100,000 per year to stop Sadam Hussein’s WMD aspirations with UN inspectors, and we now know for sure that they were doing to job. It is costing the US about $10 billion a month to wage war there, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of civilian lives. Do you want that blood on your hands? Wouldn’t the Christian thing to do be spending that money doing good, not killing people?

Keep thinking about, praying over it. What would Jesus do? Would Jesus support lying, increasing income inequality, war????