For me the most striking phrase in Olbermann's comment is "This is what your religion tells you to do?".  Citing religious beliefs for intolerance is the same logic that has been used to subjugate minorities since the beginning of time.  One day, we will learn.

On November 4, residents of CA, FL, and AZ voted to deny same-sex couples the right to marry.  In AR, residents denied gay and lesbian couples the right to adopt or foster children.  Amongst many who support equal rights for all citizens, there is much disappointment and anger over these electoral results. Rainbow flags are flowing at half-mast around the country.

Much has been written about the African American position on gay marriage and gay adoption.  Why have AA's overwhemingly supported the denial of equal protection to gays and lesbians that they themselves have struggled so hard to attain?  Much has been written about the influence the Mormon church had in the passing of Proposition 8.  What historical claim to the notion that marriage should be between one man and one woman do Mormons have?  IMO, the factor that binds these two disparate demographics together in denying gays and lesbians equal rights is religion.

In a move that can only be described as an attempt to "ruffle feathers", today Russian President Dmitry Medvedev pledged to station missiles on its territory near the Polish border.  Such a move, the Russian president insists, would be to counter the proposal by George W. Bush to station an anti-missile system in Poland.

"Medvedev was very assertive in his delivery," said Ronald Smith, chief strategist at Alfa Bank in Moscow. "(He) appeared to be staking out strong positions on various issues ahead of the entry of the new American presidential administration."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081105/wl_n m/us_russia_medvedev1_6

Engagement by the foreign policy team of President-elect Barack Obama, no doubt, will result in a course of action to address minimizing Russia's attempt to escalate an arms race.  Russia has just said:  "game on".  I have no doubt "Barack got game!".

Congress, both the House and the Senate, seems poised to enact "Wall Stree Bail-out" legislation.  This is good news.  If you want to buy a new car, if you want to buy a new home, if you're saving for your child's education, if you're saving for your retirement, this is good news.  

Without a bailout plan, the credit markets freeze!  We are now hearing about the fear financial firms have in making loans.  They are hesitant to  provide financing to eachother, and they are hesitant to provide financing to you and me.  We are hearing about the credit freeze because Congress has realized it must explain to us why this legislation is important for us.

When "Wall Street Bail-out" legislation passes, what will happen next?

The DOW JONES Industials have dived close to 700 points upon news that the House of Representatives failed in passing the "Wall Street Bail-out" legislation.  Many think this is good news.  Political purity above all else.  When you get your IRA, 401K, cash investments quarterly statement, please tell me if you think this is good news.  You may not complain if you've lost 10%, 20%, or more in the value of your investments if you did not support this legislation.  More than most will be adversely affected by actions (read:  lack of actions) undertaken today.  

The good news, oil is trading down today.  You and I will save a couple pennies at the pump.   YIPPEE!

Un-fricking-believable!

It was apparent, at least that's how it came across to me, that editing of Sarah Palin's inaugural interview, conducted by Charles Gibson of the ABC network, was heavy handed.  I find there are two reasons why the editing of Palin's inaugural interview was so obvious:

1.  ABC edited for time
2.  the RNC had a final review before release

The result, IMO, was a Republican V.P. candidate, who came across as determined, confident, and knowledgable.  

Well, duh!  I hope so.  She is running for one of the highest elected offices this country has to offer.  I would expect no less.  

So what!  Lipstick and all, nothing has changed.  Americans can support more of the same; or Americans can support changes that will improve their lives.  Lipstick and all, that's an easy decision.  It is for me.

The expections were low, and by all accounts, Sarah Palin exceeded them with her acceptance of the Republican vice presidential nomination.  Speaking to the faithful last night, she demonstrated her ability to help McCain win the Republican base.  Her mere game-changing nomination (read gender) may help with disaffected former Hillary supporters and Independents.  Or not, because really, what's changed?

This Republican presidential nominee and this Republican vice presidential nominee are espousing the same Republican party principles.  The issues of social policy, fiscal policy, and foreign policy put forward by this Republican team are the same as we've experienced for the past 8 years by the current Republican team.  Do Americans want more Republicans?  

http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm

Starkly different are the issues on social policy, fiscal policy, and foreign policy put forward by Obama/Biden and the Democratic party.  

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

The country has already determined that Republican party principles have failed us, and the world.  The country has determined that the change Democrats offer is our best hope to reach our goals and fulfill our potential.  This is our campaign's talking points that will win the election.  Tit for tat attacks won't.

Yup, Sarah Palin and Rudy--a noun, a verb, and 9/11--Giuliani got in some zingers last night.  But Democrats win if we push the issues.  They are stark and clear:  a change for the better or more of the same!

P.S. to fellow former Hillary supporters.  My loyalty to the Clinton legacy and accomplishments, both Bill's and Hillary's, obscured the fact that even if Hillary had won the nomination, hers, too, would be a close election, as this will apparently become.  Your choice is to support Democratic party principles or Republican party principles.  That should be a simple decision.  It was for Hillary!

I was shocked and dismayed at the vitriol heaped upon a Democrat, by Democrats, during the Democratic primaries.  I was shocked and dismayed to see these same Democrats use the same tactics against the newly announced Republican vice presidential candidate.  There is a term used to describe the attacks I refer to:  Misogyny.

In today's Chicago Tribune, page 2 columnist, John Kass, devoted his hefty real estate to the denunciation of DailyKos and the smearing and rumor-mongering perpetrated by that site's participants on the origin of the birth of Sarah Palin's 5th child.  

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/colum nists/chi-kass-rnc-0902sep02,0,246215.co lumn