I've only had to block a couple of people and I've a pretty large FB friends list, because of school, b.org, family and former students. Most things I don't agree with I can skip over, but really hateful stuff, I just fucking block, because it's never been from anyone I am close to.

ETA: I am firmly, strongly pro-choice. I've taken friends and one former student to get abortions and it wasn't easy for any of the people I've personally known. I don't EVEN think abortion is a method of birth control, but I DO think it is absolutely the right choice for most women who have one, and it is rarely easy. And for the women for whom it has been easy, no judgement from me; there must be some reason why it was right and easy for them, and I am glad it was safe and legal for them. I've never had to have an abortion, but I have had one serious pregnancy scare when I was in college, and I would definitely have had one then. And my parents and family would have supported me either way.

Scola,

I actually cannot wait for the series of books about this 2012 campaign. There seems to be more meat here than for the 2008 campaign.

Did you all read the Slate article by John Dickerson (who I have to say had been drinking the GOP kool-aid because his reporting this year has been a little off). Anyway, this statement

One Romney aide also included the much-debated changes to welfare requirements as a policy aimed to win over African-American voters.

You might recall how the Romney campaigned constantly about Obama changing the welfare work requirements, a claim that has been roundly refuted and described as mendacious, well I just assumed it was the campaign's cynical perspective of turning White voters against Obama. But apparently some on staff really do hold racist beliefs behind closed doors. Unbelievable. They drink their own kool-aid.

But apparently some on staff really do hold racist beliefs behind closed doors. Unbelievable. They drink their own kool-aid.

In NO way do I believe all Republicans are racist or sexist, or bad people. But Le Nub, I have never, ever thought that some Romney/Ryan staffers were not deeply racist, whether it was overt or deeply closeted even to themselves.

Note: And I'm sure this is true for members of ANY political party.

I actually cannot wait for the series of books about this 2012 campaign. There seems to be more meat here than for the 2008 campaign.

I was just thinking the same thing.

I expect Danny Strong will be able to get another Emmy out of it.

sara,

hang in there. A dedicated liquor supply sounds like the least your mother can do for you!

tommy,

I have read about Orca (and I appreciate your link to the discussion of the "consultant con job"), but I am not at all convinced that Orca lost the Presidency for MR. If it had functioned properly, perhaps it would have made the race tighter, but Obama did not need OH. I actually think a lot of the discussion of the failures of Orca are entertaining, but miss the point: Romney had more serious concerns besides Orca. They fundamentally miscalculated on a lot of levels and that is why they lost.

I really think that the Republicans have not only embraced the religious right, it has learned from them, and adopted many of their methods. Their message is, The Republicans are a community, and in order to be part of our community, there are things you have to believe, as a matter of faith, which cannot be questioned. Among them are Taxes Can Never Be Raised, Global Warming Is a Lie, and Evolution Is a Lie, etc., etc. Those who stray from these beliefs are shunned and/or virulently attacked. Reason and compromise are seen as a lack of faith, and a weakness.

The fact that Romney is a Mormon, and you see a lot of this kind of thinking coming from his campaign is not a coincidence.

Strix,

point taken. I suppose your evidence could begin and end with Sununu, drop the mike and go home.

I have read about Orca (and I appreciate your link to the discussion of the "consultant con job"), but I am not at all convinced that Orca lost the Presidency for MR.

I totally agree.

I just find the Orca thing fascinating on its own.

I just realized that I managed to return a DVD case to the library without the DVD in it. Brilliant.