May I, then, respectfully request that this potential First Lady release her tax returns?  She *IS* helping to bankroll her husband's political ambitions, so it's relevant.

It wasnt relevant to the piece, random..THAT is the point. Had it been a political piece, attack away. Had it had anything at all to do with the election, fine, but it didn't.  I look forward to the time when whatever skeletons McCains detractors are chasing prove to be ghosts instead. Like we okies like to say.."It'll all come out in the wash". Until then, I'd just like to see someone on the left say, "Ya know..that is admirable", but I fear that has about as much chance of happening as anyone taking me up on my bet, which no one has.

Just look at these blogs for the level of sympathy for anyone who has overcome/undergone "hard times" ,it is hardly a liberal or conservative issue. Maybe you know some mean liberals??? Who knows why people respond the way they do. But this is just a small group of folks you know~ to go on and expound that "so many" are "thoughtless, mean and immature "  

is quite the leap~ some might say it thoughtless mean and immature....but I won't.

Well said, Mark.  I'm neither liberal or conservative--I'm a Libertarian, which I like to think is what Republicans USED to be.  I get sick of people insulting each other.  Teasing each other is fine, often funny.  Are you sure they weren't just pulling your chain because they know you're conservative?  If they're truly your friends, then maybe they were just teasing.

Bravo Moto; as one who often responds as "thoughtless, mean and immature" I do believe in the power of freedom of choice.  To overcome our social programming and grow to the higher values that most of us profess.  But of course it is a growth process and we often make two steps back for everyone one step forward.  That's why Christ emphasized nonjudgementalness and forgiveness.  Another quote from a Saint whose name I am not sure says "Be kind to everyone.  Because you do not know the battles that they are fighting."  This I try to keep in mind even when faced with irrational hatred and of course I fail many times.  But it is the "keep trying in spite of failures" that is pleasing to God.    

Sage, I think a point is being missed here.

I agree Nancy! Most liberals just don't want to get it.  Speak well of a Republican? Never.

Ahhh,,Its OK Mom..Some people really don't want to see the point. Sage..As with all discussions involving a group, whether political, racial or religious, it obviously doesn't apply to everyone in that group..Thus the use of the term "so many" rather than "all". Yes..I DO know some incredibly mean liberals, but I know a few really nice ones too..some right here on this site.. I know some mean Conservatives too, but they are the exception rather than the rule, whereas the opposite is generally true of the liberals I know. In my use of the terms "Thoughtless, mean and immature",  I was referring to the way I see things as a rule and was not applying that term to anyone in particular. Those most offended by this piece will be those it describes, everyone else will just see it for what it is..Kind of like a few of my liberal friends should have seen the story on Mrs McCain.

And in responding to wayfarer..and anyone else really..I am certainly not always nice! I am, however, rational and level headed in debate and never rude or condescending.

Wish I could say the same Moto. I am often rude and sometimes downright nasty..  I just can't stand stupidity or idiots who think they are smarter or better than anyone else.

Like it or not, politics is an emotional business. We like to think it's all about issues, but somehow it isn't. I recall the Kennedy  campaign. 3-year-old Caroline was name-called. Is it any wonder Colin Powell refused to run? Is it any wonder the best and brightest--the wisest among us--don't want the job? 

I guess I missed this one~ but If your saying we should quit calling names join the Party. I have been saying that from the first on this site~ even the back snipes,thanks neverleft.

Nancy told me it was useless to ask people to be civil,but also told me my blog was too nice to comment on~it would be no fun...lol ,so it seems no matter what ,we of different ideologies are wary of each other. My own Mother was a Republican,as where most of her friends~all nice wonderful caring people with their less than stellar moments. Just like most Democrats,Independents and undeclared.

From the story, Mrs McCain sounds caring and nice. I was thinking of voting for McCain the first go around,and even the second. Not so much now~ but one thing I trust~must trust~ is that we all want what's best for America and so do those running for office.

Sorry I come off as thoughtless and immature.

If politics were all about, and only about issues people wouldn't be discussing candidates wives as if THEY were the ones running for office.  They wouldn't be using cutesy names like Shrub, McShrub, Yobama, Hillbilly etc.  THAT's the emotional side coming out and it's childish and immature in my mind.

I could say that my "emotions" where that's concerned is just political but the truth is, I don't much like nicknames of any kind.  Never have.  I tend to call people by the name they with which they introduce themselves.  I figure if that's how they call themselves, then that's what I have enough respect to call them.  If I use a made up name for someone it's in an affectionate moment and not on an ongoing basis.  If I use it as an insult, there's a darn good reason and again, it's not on an ongoing basis.

Now, I realize that the political slurs on names is a sign of disrespect because the person using it dislikes the one being talked about so that's must make it ok, right?  Wrong.  It's a reflection on the person using it and NOT on the person it's been used ON.

So that's my schoolmarm take on it.  Most have seen me scold about that sort of thing but that's just me.  I'm funny about names...and childish behavior.

In my opinion, that's just a couple of the points missed about this blog.

An add on.  When I mentioned childish behavior I was referring to childish behavior on serious subjects.  We all use that behavior when we're having fun.  We just kind of regress I think.  There are times to be immature again for fun but when it comes to serious subjects it calls for more mature behavior if one wants to be taken seriously.

Nancy, if politics were all about issues, there'd be no Republican party anymore.  Without the politics of division and voter suppression, Republicans don't win elections.

Completly agree Nancy ~ because in the end,for this country to work,we need to debate,compromise and work together at the end of the day.

There is just way too much hate and disrespect on the internet these days.  I've found most of it coming from liberals, but that's not to say that there aren't any mean-spirited conservatives out there.   We all have to learn to express our opinions without attacking the person whose views we oppose. 

I've been viciously attacked on liberal sites, but not as much over here where there are rules and those who attempt to enforce those rules. 

I don't discuss politics too much these days as it can be like touching a hot stove repeatedly and expecting different results. 

RF, are you seriously going to sit there and tell me that the actions of Obama and Clinton are better than the Republicans tactics?  And that it hasn't caused division within the Democratic Party?

Bruce, I agree completely about the hot stove.  Howsumever, I can't seem to quiiiiiite master the ability to keep my mouth shut all the time.  :-)

Nice to have seen you by the way.

Nice to have seen you too, Nancy.  Yes, I know what you mean about keeping the mouth shut (or the fingers, in this case of blogging).  But I've found that keeping my political opinions to myself is much better for my health. 

Clinton's actions *ARE* the Republican tactics.  That's what we've been complaining about.  If she can't run as a Democrat, how would she govern as one?  She herself even said she'd be the current nominee--"under Republican rules."

As I said, why *WON'T* Mrs. McCain release her tax records?  The Republicans insisted that Kerry's wife do so.

http://washingtontimes.com/...

I agree with you, Nancy, about the difference between insults and teasing.  I think a lot of people don't know the difference.  Serious subjects deserve serious debate, and people often resort to insults when they start to lose their argument.  Teasing is for light-hearted subjects and never hurts the other person's feelings.  That's how I differentiate the two.

YEAH! It's ALL the mean old Republican's fault! Nobody would ever argue were it not for them! D'OH!..That's right. It has been Hillary and Obama lobbing the mud and poop at each other to the point that neither has much credibility left. I think it's great! They have made the road for McCain a smooth one. People, even liberals, are sick of bickering with no real solutions being bandied about. There is nothing fresh about either of their positions and even if there were, it would have been lost in the muck-raking.