I *HOPE* the kids are watching.  Don't want them making the same mistakes their parents' generation did.  Like *WE* did.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but how many comments were you hoping for talking about your kids or grandkids? Besides, it isn't like those posts were talking about the hatred you see in other people('s kids).

I've read posts Sam Heath made about growing up in the Kern River Valley, and sure they're nice, but what can one say about it (other than saying it was a nice piece)? But talk about something (like politics, or religion) that effects many people, and you'll see many more people willing to comment. Having a personal opinion about someone else's kids (especially a negative one) is rare and usually not voiced in polite society; having an opinion about politics is every American's god-given right, and we're not shy about it....

It is true Moto~except for the oddity like handicabable parking spots, politics or religon(for or against) are the hot topics~but I try to read most posts everyday,some ellicit coments..others not~but keep posting what you want,I for one like to see a nice story along with the slug fests..

Sooo...what's your point dude?  You got a great discussion going...chill out!  I don't want to read about someone's kids...maybe if the child is ill and needs help...or perhaps the child is excelling in sports or academics...or has written the quintessential  manifesto for prolonging life here on this planet that would save the environment too.  Those of us that can rub a few words together here...like to discuss the important issues...and politics and our world just happens to be really important to our very lives.  My brilliant son that goes to Cal State...do you really want to hear about what a big nerd he is?  Don't be offended dude!

I appreciate what you and others try to do by posting on a variety of topics, including family stories, etc.  One of the things you all know I've been trying to do here has been to diversify our content.  I know that sometimes it seems that only "controversial" stuf gets attention, but that's our paradox--we need to have a wider audience interested in more than just politics or religion or what-have-you, but maybe those folks aren't here b/c of the predominance and attention that stuff gets--and we simultaneously need the diverse content and writers, but maybe that's not here b/c it seems they're not getting read...  Chicken and the egg sort of thing--we need it all, all at once.

In no way am I saying we should push the controversial, topical, "important" stuff aside--I've always been making the case that there is room for all kinds of local content here, and all kinds of discussion.  From discussions of national political import and their local ramifications to local theatre to family stories to personal experiences to one's love of gardening or science fiction or what-have-you.

So keep on keepin' on, everybody.  :)

Sorry to hear you're stressed out. Stress is always very personal, and can be very harmful. I did enjoy your earlier take  on the nature of  frustration and angst, or hate and love amid the political arena these days. I too am very tired of labels and party affiliations that always seem to work at cross purposes for honest compromise and workable solutions. No solution is perfect. This is not a perfect world. Some solutions do more harm than good, especially when done for expediency's sake. But for all that, many highly debated issues with passionate arguments from all sides do get real workable solutions that help move people forward and away from barbarism and slavery.

Here's a toast to your post in the hopes that people will really listen to one another.  It should not be about rightness or wrongness of ideas, but about how all ideas can translate into livable and workable solutions. Play your guitar for therapy would be my suggestion to work out the stress.  

Mark, I think even the most hardcore liberals on board may disagree with you, but  think you are sincere and thoughtful. That can't be said for everybody. Stress sucks. I hope things start going better soon.

I understand that my kids arent interesting to anyone but me, but I have written MANY posts on issues of history, travel and many other topics. I don't expect a hundred comments, but it just seems that instead of somene saying "Hey, that is really cool" or "Did you take in this, that or the other sight", or "did you notice this or that", they just keep surfing till they find something they disagree with. When my kid is looking over my shoulder while I read posts(here and other sites), it's cool to be able to say "Hey, check out this story about(enter cool destination), it even has some nice pix" rather than say to them "This guy is such a jerk, I can't believe he says that" or "I sure hope YOU don't ever have a friend who feels this way".

Sometimes I WANT to argue and am actually pretty good at it. It just seems that so many people don't want to even take the time to make a comment on something they think is cool. Maybe they don't want to be seen like that, who knows. My point, Dude, is that our kids(and grandkids)take what they see us do and apply it to their lives and when all they see us do is argue, they become argumentative. They start overlooking the cool stuff and miss the fact that the world is a VERY interesting and wonderful place, regardless of who is in charge.

It's not always about our opinions, folks, sometimes it's just about being here.