That I have them can't be negated by your lack of them, and I'd think you know me well enough to know I don't judge anybody arbitrarily.

I'm sorry you think I was trying to *negate* your reservations or your perceptions, Beverly. I was surprised at your original post in which you expressed those reservations that Obama might not be supportive of women's rights and might not be what you hope for regarding the separation of church and state (and in reading that, I inferred that you believe there should be a stronger, rather than weaker separation; if I inferred wrongly, I apologize).

Because I did not take Obama's campaign or legislative history to indicate that he is anything but strong on women's rights, and because he has never said anything to indicate that he would like to weaken the separation between church and state, my impression of him was that those are areas in which he is strong.

Therefore, since our preceptions, based on our two different life experiences, were different, I asked you if you could explain, because I didn't know if I had missed something.

That I expressed surprise at your interpretation of one sentence that he spoke in one debate is in no way an attempt to *negate* your reservations, perceptions, or experiences as a woman and citizen.

That is something that I do not want to do, and I certainly did not intend it.

That said, negating your reservations, perceptions, and experiences as a woman and citizen is hurtful and wrong, and I apologize very much.

Mr Tusks sends a letter to Dinosaur Comics: [link]

The Hillbillies of Wasilla Saga Continues

Please let this be true. According to a barely literate MySpace message, Sarah Palin is snubbing the family of Levi Johnston, the jock who knocked up Bristol, because they're "white trash." (Not that we'd disagree.)

The message was supposedly left by Mercede Johnston, Levi's 18-year-old sister, on the page of Mellissa Wilfong, a former Wasilla resident who now lives in Florida, to tell her about an upcoming trip to Orlando. As an aside, she notes that she and her mom (that would be Sherry, the one who was busted for dealing OxyContin) aren't allowed to visit Bristol and Levi's love child.

eta: Yep, it's spelled "Mercede".

No worries, love. We're good. Or goo, or food, as I typed first and second. It may be time for mid-afternoon caffeine.

eta: Yep, it's spelled "Mercede".

Well, there's only one of her, right?

That, and also that it's not just the baby-hating feminist atheist commie FREAKS who get abortions. If the conversation is between a woman and her pastor, that means she has a pastor, and is that much more just like you.

Yup. I could be remembering wrong, but I also thought he said it was between a woman and her doctor. I'll look it up. I know the impression I got was basically was Jess says above. He's a thoughtful man, and he does choose his words carefully. Some call that politic, I call it mindful of the power of words.

He's a thoughtful man, and he does choose his words carefully. Some call that politic, I call it mindful of the power of words.

Either way, what a blessed change.

Okay, I found the quote. Apparently it's part of a Q & A about late-term abortions.

Obama: "My only point is this -- historically I have been a strong believer in a women's right to choose with her doctor, her pastor and her family. And it is ..I have consistently been saying that you have to have a health exception on many significant restrictions or bans on abortions including late-term abortions.

And I'm of the mind that it's the woman's right to choose all by her damned self.

From Dictionary.com, and how I meant it, italics mine:

pol⋅i⋅tic    /ˈpɒlɪtɪk/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pol-i-tik] Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective 1. shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic.

And I'm of the mind that it's the woman's right to choose all by her damned self.

Yes. What I'm saying.

I don't expect Obama to be all things to all people, but I feel more hopeful than I have in a long time. The difference between Bush and Obama is night and day. Bush may not have been the darkest of nightmare filled nights (okay maybe he was) and Obama may not be the epitome of the most perfect day, but at the moment all is good in my political world. I'm certain that we will never have a president that agrees with me on every single issue, but I am delighted that we have come this close. I'm not applauding each and every decision he has made, but in the big picture I enthusiastically applaud his vision and dreams for this country. He might even have a chance to make changes we all want to see.