I love her!!! You are so lucky!

Wow, you make that sound amazing.

That is so great! It's amazing getting to meet people you've studied. I got to meet Derek Parfit and study under John Searle in college. It was better than meeting Justin Timberlake. (I imagine).

NOT a fan of Laura Ingraham. I read she dated Keith Olbermann, that must have been a disaster.

"...star-spangled Republicans full of love." Heck, I'd be spangled, full of love, and sparkling my ass off with all those free pink condoms! *ducking fast*

Laura is the person that secretly taped a session of a Gay Students Organization, and then mailed packages to the participant's parents. I just don't agree with that kind of malicious act, and I just couldn't be inspired by someone who treats people like that...among other things.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don't expect anyone to change theirs. I just gotta admit our views are so different when it comes to this woman.

well - i think that there are certainly multiple sides to each situation and yes there are people who would agree that the tactics that she used weren't the best - but there are also those that feel the opposite. i think that at least it makes for a really electric environment and those are the times that you have the most productive discussions no?

I was talking about Phyllis Schlafly.

I don't care what they say McCain DID NOT pic that woman. He barely knows her (obviously). She was picked by the RNC for two reasons; To satisfy the religious right and pander to the Hilary pumas. I think she's being treated differently because if this had been Obama's daughter God forbid, the corporate media would have demanded that he recant his candidacy. the KKK News chanel oops I meant Fox News, who's been calling Michelle Obama Obama's "babymama" (eventhough they are married) would have had a field day and all those phony "family values groups" you see making excuses for her now would have been ready to be judge jury and excecusioner of Obama's parental skills. Ah I can hear the Hypocritical holier than thou speeches now: Oh the moral decay of America blah blah...

I just saw a pic of her over some dead animal she shot with the title "trophy hunt", but she's "pro-life". She has no problem hunting and killing polar bears from the air, but she's "pro-life." She loves the NRA & guns and is pro-war, but she's "prolife." Yea right & and I'm Jesus christ.

What these people are is ANTI-CHOICE for women. I've already said I could never have an abortion, but no way in bloody hell do I want a bunch of phony old white men decide whether or not I have that choice. If they have their way they'll take women back to the 18th century. Some women are more than happy to help them do it.

Right on, nadiap. Good points throughout. You make a strong case for our side and I invite everyone to study your comment in full.

*sigh at Nadiap*

It was WOLVES she shoots from the air, not polar bears. She just lets those die from endless Olympic backstroke training. While at heart I agree with a lot of your frustrations, and I am no fan of FOX or Palin, its important to be as factual as you can on everything. Its important for BOTH sides to be as factual as they can.

Citizen, I am glad people of both sides can find inspiration in their political leaders, because inspiration and hope are never bad things.

I also think Palin and Hillary BOTH were lambasted in ways ordinarily not assigned to men, and that is unfortunate. However, I also doubt highly that the average Hillary voter is going to turn around and vote for a pro-life Evangelist candidate. Some might, but the majority? I would think not.

At the end of the day, I hope women everywhere can find a way to applaud the advances made in this election without selling out their personal political beliefs in the name of what gender the candidate is, because that truly IS selling out our sex. What is more important, gender or principles? I am strong enough of a believer in the strength of my gender to wait as long as it takes to get the RIGHT woman into office, not one for the "sake of it".

I still rather have a man who mirrors my own beliefs in office, before a woman who most pointedly does not. And if the reverse situation prevented itself, I would vote accordingly.

Sex should not figure into this race, but it will, in some cases for the better, and in some for the worse. Do I agree with it? No. Will I make judgement statements on whether Palin should "stay at home or not"? No. And whether others on the right agree with me or not (I know some do not), I do not think her parenting skills should be used as an argument as to whether or not this woman should be VP any more than I think Obama's parentage or past church history should be. Its two-faced behaviour otherwise.

There are plenty of more pressing, critical issues that should be discussed INSTEAD.

Sorry I meant "Whether others on the LEFT" agree with me or not....

To me, harping on her daughter's situation (or worse yet, calling the daughter names), is the same as harping on whether or not Obama's a closet terrorist who will have the country in headscarves by 2010.

Its just bullsh**, it is diversionary and unnecessary and immature.

Sorry but that woman (Phyllis) is a idiotic nutjob. I understand not all women are feminists (ok I don't understand it, but I respect it), but this crazy lady goes way too far. I actually met Phyllis Schlafly in college. My school held this big debate and not only did the other awesome woman (one of my professors in fact) kick her neo conservative, outdated ass, but people held protests also. I even got to ask her a question on the mic. I can try to deal with conservatives but I honestly feel this woman does nothing for the advancement of women in society. It's unimaginable to me how people could be fans of her.

a should be "an"

Wow Jillness! I never read that about her. How malicious.

Why would she as a woman, be opposed to the equal rights amendment? im confused..

I am not a Palin fan, I think she comes off "ditsy", for lack of a better word.
I think there had to be a better woman for McCain to choose, since that seemed to be the plan.

I gotta get me one of those flower dresses

Marni7, because it's unnecessary.

I can't explain it better than Ainsley Hayes...

"The 14th Amendment says a citizen of the United States is anyone that's born here (that's me) and that no citizen can be denied due process..It's humiliating! A new amendment that we vote on, declaring that I am equal under the law to a man. I am mortified to discover there's reason to believe I wasn't before. I am a citizen of this country. I am not a special subset in need of your protection. I do not have to have my rights handed down to me by a bunch of old, white men. The same Article 14 that protects you, protects me."

I agree with torg's comment. (Although, I don't know if torg thinks that or if she's just saying why Schafly thinks the way she does.) Either way, that's why I'm against the Equal Rights Amendment. Although, I am becoming more of a Libertarian than anything. I just think we don't need at least half of the laws we have.

And Jill, your story was about Ingraham? or Schafly?

And nadiap, if the Republican party had wanted to pick a woman, they would have picked Hutchison or any number of other more traditionally qualified women. There is not doubt in my mind that McCain made this pick. (Of course, he has advisors, but this is his pick.) I am not thrilled with the Palin pick. And, believe me, if the GOP wanted to win and got to hand-pick McCain's running mate, Palin would not have been their choice.

And I am against the aerial wolf shooting, but only because it's a gigantic waste of money.

Also, I don't see how hunting makes you not pro-life. That would be like saying anyone who is not a vegetarian is not pro-life. Palin hunts partially for sport, but also eats the animals.

And torg, I'm sorry to hear about your tooth! (I don't know if I read about it on this post or another one.)

Yes, I agree. I just don't think I can agree better than Ainsley.

And thanks. It's totally fine.

nadia, wow, I'm sure glad you're not on my side of these issues.

Your uninformed and inelegant comment really doesn't do your cause much good.

Torg, I loved your quote in comment #19. And I'm always happy to hear that somebody is leaning towards becoming a libertarian, lilkim!

Now, now. Each side is entitled to their own Auntie Coosa. By the way, where is she? I miss her.

The ERA makes me mad, too! It's so completely not necessary. And I love that, "I am mortified to discover there's reason to believe I wasn't [equal] before."

And where is Hypnotic??? I miss his insightful comments.

Wow, Milosmommy you're right! He's been gone since the weekend, hasn't he?!?

Anti-ERA folks believe the ERA would force women to do things they don't want to do, remove maternity leave and pregnancy discrimination protections (because men don't have them, too), etc.

Yes, the Constitution says that "All men were created equal" blah, blah, blah. But if it's so obvious and so clear and so true already, then what does language simply affirming that hurt anybody?

And, I'm sorry, but Phyllis Schlafly is a dangerous anti-woman nutjob. The over the top gushing about her on the part of this blog makes me wonder why I bother reading. I was quite surprised, as typically it's pretty evenhanded around here (at least from the authors).

If it's any help outtajo, I've been looking at this and wondering why someone didn't melt Schlafly a long time ago.

She lied about the ERA being about forcing women onto the battlefield and into unisex toilets years ago and she hasn't changed a bit.

I think Hypno posted something about moving over the weekend.

Away from us??

Away from where he lived to a new place to live. No tears.

What these people are is ANTI-CHOICE for women. I've already said I could never have an abortion, but no way in bloody hell do I want a bunch of phony old white men decide whether or not I have that choice. If they have their way they'll take women back to the 18th century. Some women are more than happy to help them do it.

Agreed! I think we need to change the rhetoric of pro-life, pro-choice. Anti-choice is an excellent replacement.

"If they have their way they'll take women back to the 18th century."

How so, abortion aside?

I always picture Phyllis Diller in my head when someone mentions Phyllis Schlafly.

That's not fair to Diller Insanity, she could be funny.

As a strong, smart woman, I noticed sexism in the race as soon as HC joined. Sexism in our country now defeats racism.

outtajo--I completely agree. I am normally so excited to read Citizensugar and very satisfied after reading, but not when reading this. The gushing was indeed "over the top." That's fine if you want to do equal coverage of the conventions and the people attending, but no need to talk her up so much. I haven't really seen that done before, and I find it odd and semi-disturbing that it's happening with such a controversial woman. The author of this posting OBVIOUSLY knows Schlafly is an extremely controversial person and would induce polarizing opinions. Hence the reason this post should have been written in a much more neutral manner!!

If we are using anti-choice, I guess we get to use anti-life then, too. It's fun to frame the other side the way you want to!

And if you guys think this site is biased towards the right, I suggest you read other articles a little more closely!

I praise citizen for this article. Liberty and Citizen don't pull any bull about their political affiliations. Liberty is more left and citizen is more right. They have always stated this. Because you don't agree with her, should citizen not be allowed to speak her mind?

of course she should be allowed to speak her mind, Freedom of Speech grants her that right. One thing is to speak her mind, one thing is to be a fan of someone. QUITE another is to be exaggerated about it. That is what I was talking about. From what I have read, Liberty has never really talked someone up so much. For the record, I often read and watch things I don't agree with. I value a different point of view (when it's informed).
I make a priority to stay informed and really think about why I don't agree. I didn't watch the RNC for fun, that's for sure.

So you are saying being a fan of someone isn't a freedom? Or that Citizen isn't well informed in liking her. Well, I stated I am a fan of her too. So are millions of other women. You better get on the ball telling all of us how awful we are because we don't think like you.

It's a blog, not a major newspaper. Yeesh. Do you get mad when Popsugar gushes about Rachel Bilson but not about Mischa Barton?

No, but I do get upset over the unfair coverage of Blake Lively over Leighton Meister! I think we should all boycott.

I totally LOVE Blake Lively! I like Leighton, but she's no Blake.

Hope we can still remain cordial.

Geez people get over it. I was simply saying it was a little much IN MY OWN OPINION. I am not here to make people feel bad about their views. It was simply a comment on the way it was posed. Again, I will emphasize that, the wayyyy it was posed, not the fact that it was written or posted. Great Sommerlier, stop putting words in my mouth and alleging things that were not stated by me. I have never said it was awful for "you guys" to not think like me. That's a ridiculous comment. Having a belief or opinion on something is crucial (especially when it's sufficiently informed). I am not here to make anyone feel bad or call anyone "awful" for their views. Like I said, that is absurd.

It is ridiculous how hypocritical the Republicans are about Palin and her daughter. If Barack Obama or Joe Biden had a 17 year old pregnant daughter, they would be ostracized for it. Instead, they are PRAISING this woman for her "decision" to keep it. Decision? DECISION??? This is coming from a woman who wishes to overturn Roe v Wade. She wants her daughter to be able to choose but the wants to take that ability away from the rest of us?? Palin is completely unqualified and was chosen only to pander to the disgruntled Hillary supporters...it's disgusting.

Oh Puhlease everybody knows if McCain had his way Liberman would be his pic. The RNC was desperate to energize their disgruntled right-wingers who have never trusted McCain. Have you been watching TV? They're in Heaven. Why? because of her extreme religious views. She does not believe in abortion even in case of incest or rape. She believes in abstinence only education(worked well for her daughter didn't it) She wants creationism to be taught in school. She wants certain books banned from Libraries. Gays should have no rights. Prayer could cure them and make them heterosexual. The woman cuts funding for program for special need children: of course now that she has one suddenly she cares. She cut funding for home for pregnant teen, but I bet suddenly she gives a crap about them now too. Are you freakin' kidding me? That's the entire platform of the "religious right" who are neither religious nor right.

What difference does it make polar bear? wolves? she's freakin' killing an animal that can't protect himself from the air. Now on the ground where the wolves can charge her? That would be a fair fight. How come Republicans are such cowards. warmonger extraordinnaire Dick Cheyney hunting from a car.? They drive him to where the animals are? Come on!.

As for leaving her family out of it.? get real. For the last decades these people want to tell you how holier they are than you because they posess "family values" while the rest of america is in decay. They want to tell you who to marry, whether or not you can have an abortion, what should be taught to your children at school, what book they should read, and you want to leave her family out it. Seriously.? She put her family in it. You notice when it comes to shoving their social agendas down your throat, goverment can get involve in your life. But when it comes to HELPING PEOPLE, say like funding for children with special needs? oh no government can't get involve. It's socialism. Christians? my butt.