the threat of nuclear terrorism– obviously require global solutions not regional ones.
I agree there should be some wiggle room to account for regional differences but thats it.

But because that's true does not ipso facto mean that it cannot be decentralized somewhat. History has an unfortunate number of lessons on this topic; the Soviet Union is a prime example of the risks inherent in further consolidation of federal power.

McCain has sacrificed his reputation for straight talk and fairness by adopting the very tactics that Bush operatives used against him and that he condemned as unfair in 2004 against Sen Kerry. So the issue of character can fairly be used against HIM.

Palin likewise has a lot of “splainin” to do– and will be up to her ears in bad publicity after the explosive Troopergate report hits the airwaves. It strikes me that there are some significant character flaws revealed by that investigation's findings.I think she will be too busy telling voters why she lied to Alaskans about Monegan's firing and why she decided not to cooperate with the legislative committee only AFTER she became McCain's VP pick, Her credibilty will be put into
question as it should be.

Also,I wonder how many moderates know that she got her start in politics with the aid of a radical secessionist and a John Bircher— both leaders of far right wing fringe groups.

After all, I've heard Obama say many times that McCain has served his country honorably. McCain can at the very least show respect for Obama and set the record straight.

Of course McCain is free to question Obama on his judgement and other matters, (which I may disagree with) which are fair game in political races. But to imply your opponent is a terrorist and unpatriotic is crossing the line.

Agreed, when it comes to calling Obama a terrorist, Muslim, unpatriotic, etc. these people clearly have been listening to too many folks like Hannity, Limbaugh, etc. And of course they've believed the campaigns which have stoked these fires. I am more mad at the media which propagates such false information than I am at these people who believe it. Though I do wonder about their critical thinking skills….

However, once race is thrown in, that's a different story. Obama is who he is and many people will not vote for him because of his skin color. While one can only point out that Obama is not a terrorist, Muslim, etc., one has to take a different approach (and perhaps no approach at all) when confronted with a racist.

If you ignore the Civil War, its aftermath, and everything leading up to it, you may be right. But I don't think you can.

Anyway, Greendreams is right — to avoid hypocrisy McCain has to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. His “Dangerous” add is just that: dangerous.

I doubt the people of the 19th century had much genuine fear or loathing of the federal government or the candidates for President.

The more we have centralized rule making the worse off we've become in terms of living out our lives with individual freedoms.

Would that woman fear whether obama was an Arab or not if she knew he, his ideas or his acquaintances would hold no sway over her life?

They don't think too well for themselves. Maybe Rush should be a co-defendant in the inciting to civil unrest in time of war thingy..?

Palin at the very least should be either publicly warned or indicted for inciting to disrupt a civil process (the election). Clearly, if Obama was dead, the election would be disrupted. I can't believe she allowed herself to be filmed presiding over a mob. More bad strategy.

The McCain/Palin ticket is failing Darwin's test. It is unfortunate they seem to revert to tyranny over and over again. Our founding fathers established this country specifically to escape tyranny in all its forms…in all its forms…. To utilize tyranny to incite civil unrest in time of war is the highest form of treason that comes to mind.

“There may indeed be blood in the streets before the current political and economic issues before the nation are resolved. But it won’t have much of anything to do with Race, it’ll be about the fundamental principles of this Republic a great many Americans are not prepared to give up without a serious fight.

And the rage won’t just last days … it could be a battle fought for years and not always without its victims. Can you imagine the look on the faces of the Obama-loving Ayres apologists at the New York Times when the bombs start exploding in their lobby, instead of the Pentagon?”

He said that he doesn't advocate this kind of action, but his words romanticize violence and suggest contemplating sweet revenge–and offering a way for the terrified (who feel powerless) to regain their sense of agency. Riehl obviously enjoys freedom of expression, but his statements are irresponsible.

This is exactly right, George. Once I'd fully wrapped my mind around that aspect of things, my perspective shifted dramatically. This is beyond normal election-year partisan emotion. The people who are growing so very angry are absolutely sincere because they're genuinely terrified.

It's a huge problem, I think.

If I try to say otherwise, that's when they start to actually seem frightened. I never attacked anyone (doing something like that in person is asking for a punch in the nose). I stopped being just dismissive long ago, because it never worked.

Any disagreement at all is considered dangerous. They think I've fallen for something dangerous. They think America is on the verge for falling for something dangerous.

They think they're the last bulwark of sanity left in America.

I could never find a way out of that cycle.

I agree with you that it's out there. I agree with you that it's a problem. But I have no idea what to do about it.

Anyone can see the effect this has had on McCain. Watch this video:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/223572.php
Watch McCain's face as he confronts the hatred his campaign has stirred up. Stirred up with full knowledge and intent. A shameful campaign from a formerly honorable man.

I'll believe he's done with that when he pulls the ad “Dangerous”. Until then, his attempt at tamping it down while stoking it up is sheer hypocrisy.