I just did – thanks to Joanne for directing me here because I had missed this.

Thank you Raph for your apology and I accept it graciously. As the election – it is now over and seems to obviously be a moot point.

That was nice, Raph. I hope she reads it.

This might be a girl-boy thing. Even my mother expressed annoyance that everybody seems to be ganging up on Palin. And my mother is very liberal. If you look at my thread, I pissed off mostly women:

Alberta Girl, Hunter, Kateland, etc etc

As well, despite my unchanging opinion of Palin, I was tactless in the way I spoke to you. I regret making you feel bad about yourself, and it was a shitty thing to do. I’m sorry. Please feel free to believe whatever you like, and I will try to find a way to disagree with you without the personal attacks.

I’m really saying this because I don’t want to dissuade you from maintaining an interest in politics, nor keep an open mind about those who dissent with you. As I recently read on another blog, the problem is that it’s frustrating sifting through the “sycophants, party messagers and cynical truth-benders” who make it difficult to ascertain an honest and open perspective on the reality of the moment.

Anyway, I really appreciate you boosting my self-esteem with your comment – I was ready to turn off my computer after his comment to me. I did go back this morning and challenge him on a few things though, so I might be down – but not out! Ha Ha

I sure agree that putting one’s self out there takes nerves of steel – that is why I admire, and appreciate, those who actually do the blogging like yourself and Joanne because their are vicious people in this world.

Take care Sandy and thanks again.

The Palin clothing budget is a red herring. The Republican Party invited this woman to run for VP. She is not a rich person. Why on earth does she have to look frumpy? Or, is that what so many want? Another reason to put her down. It’s a no brainer.

Check out how much Hillary Clinton paid for her clothes or Michelle Obama has spent — if the record is available. Oh right, neither is running for VP. Yet, my bet is they both spent just as much.

As you say, it is just another way to minimize her — just as so many are doing regarding whether or not she is an intellectual.

Most guys don’t get it. They have never be minimized over being a wife and mother. Surely, wives and mothers cannot be intellectuals seems to be the message.

Well, I disagree. I have two grad degrees. Do they make me an intellectual? Or, does having a lot of common sense?

Well, I have known many colleagues with three or more degrees that I would never consider an intellectual if having common sense was the chief criterion. LOL

Whatever anyone may say about Sarah Palin, that woman has more balls than most men. And, they minimize her at their peril. Even if McCain doesn’t win, she will be back.

Hang in there AG. And I know Joanne would agree when I say: You are a regular we all respect.

Hey, and I haven’t forgotten that letter to the editor you got printed in the Hill Times. It was appreciated!

BT’s are a community. While we all have our different points of view, we all agree with the main point — we recognize the Harper government’s accomplishments and we want it to continue to succeed even in hard times.

Like Joanne, I really like Ralphael as well, but we are all human and sometimes we don’t realize we are hurting someone. The blogosphere can be a tough place in that regard — one reason COTM is on hiatus.

Hang in there!

a. it is a moot point – because I would bet every candidate and their families spent that much or more yet there has been no microscope on their budgets and

b. the real point is that the clothing is just the last in a long line of microscopic focus on the things that make her look stupid.

perhaps non-partisan is a better word – as an “unrepentent partisan hack” I admit there are lots of things the Tories do that make me cringe – but I also believe in a minority situation; they have to do things differently.

My point with Raph was that he brought the abortion issue into a post about clothing, then challenged me when I mixed social conservatism with fiscal conservatism.

But it is his blog and it is apparent that he doesn’t want to be challenged – or maybe it is that he doesn’t consider my comments “valuable, thoughtful or insightful” enough for him. Anyway, I don’t need to be crapped on for expressing my opinion in a forum that invites comments, so I won’t be doing that anytime soon.

Well I am off to have my coffee!! Thanks for listening Joanne – it is just that my feelings were hit hard by his comments about me, then I read your comment to him and just had to get it off my chest.

I haven’t read that post yet, but I’m surprised (and disappointed) that he would call you a name over a difference in opinion. I’ll have to check it out.