What caught my eye in the article was the reference to human rights, and that relates to the frozen Free Trade agreement between the two countries. Since McCain was such a celebrity visitor, this was a golden opportunity for him to bring up the subject. It is something that should be dealt with by all governments reaping the benefits of global trade. Somehow, I don't think McCain did that.

As our politicians strut their stuff overseas, what are they really selling? As we showcase our attempts to export democracy, we've put exporting values like civil and workers' rights, even at the most minimal level, in a dark closet, to which the door is never opened. Of course, we're trying to shove them into a closet in our own country as well.

It would be gratifiying to see the US offer something more than arms and money, maybe something called respect for human rights. I hope the trade deal goes through, but I hope it doesn't go through without so much as a whimper from worthies enjoying life in luxurious surroundings as the cameras roll. .

The Right is criticized for criticizing Michelle Obama, but notice: We're dealing with her public pronouncements, and disagreeing with them. You, on the other hand, go after a woman's appearance, and use your telepathic powers to tell about Cindy McCain's psychology and her relationship with her husband. But what you actually reveal is only your own arrested and freakish character.

But I originally intended to comment on the post, which uses the Columbia newspaper El Tiempo as a proxy for the views of citizens of Columbia. Maybe that's correct. But maybe the relationship of that paper is like relationship between the New York Times and the American people. The first doesn't represent the second, outside of Manhattan, DC, and and assorted college towns. I've never been to Columbia, but I imagine that the positions of McCain and Obama on the proposed free trade pact with America would dispose the Columbian people toward McCain, and against Obama.

It goes without saying.

A scary Barbie Doll. He'd do well to leave that whole act at home. Any way you slice it, with her on stage it's just creepy..on second thought, maybe he should keep her there…lol…