...It's not just Lech Walesa's Polish labor union in the 80's! This year is about getting rid of the Bush-Cheney legacy in OUR White House. I listen on stream 6 hours after the show's over, so I can't participate in the debate with David Bender on the phone. I am listening to people saying something absolutely insane: that they won't vote for the democratic candidate if it's ends up not being 'their" candidate! This can't be happening!!! I've lived in France for 3 our their presidential elections, and that sentiment is right up there with people who think that Le Pen (the fascist guy) is still considered an opposition vote. But in 2002, when he made it to the general election, 80% of French people voted against him to reelect Chirac because they agreed that Le Pen isn't a solution. McCain is not a solution for progressives! I will agree that neither of our candidates are doing what they should (badgering McCain instead of each other), but we have to support either and BOTH of them at the very least as preferable to McCain. Not voting, or voting 3rd party, is a vote for McCain. We have to grow up and do what's right for the United States. Clinton or Obama, or Obama or Clinton, are better for the United States progressing than McCain. Don't let momentary stupidity from our candidates or the press make us lose sight of the objective: a Democrat in our White House come January.

Pardon my lack of paragraphs...I'm too steamed to worry about grammar at the moment.

--
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security." --Benjamin Franklin.
"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." --Sinclair Lewis.

Stingers are a small plot point in one of my favorite movies (The Bishop's Wife), and now that I know what they are I can appreciate that even more ~ thanks, Rachel!!!!!

:-p

For padutchinfrance - somewhere in the archives is a call to either Sam Seder or David Bender(?) addressing the very same concern in such a thoughtful & persuasive way,I wish I'd thought to note exactly which show/date/time. I'll hafta see if I can find it, but the gist was that he said he understood well the passion over 'your' candidate, but he hoped that people would think about the young men & women - not to mention civilians - dying & suffering as we speak in Iraq & Afghanistan & Guantanamo - & even here @ home, when it's time to vote.....

....David focused on the interesting question of, regardless of the candidates' relative merits, how the bitterness of the last several weeks has affected both Clinton and Obama supporters.  This is a phenomenom I have observed in my own little (suburban) corner of the world, a polarization of discussion with Democratic-leaning friends and family as bad or worse as the split between right-wing and left-leaning friends and family.  It's stunning, and dismaying.

 Just as a side note to David's discussion, I like the caller's suggestion that Obama essentially ignore the negative attacks from Hillary other than simple acknowledgement that the accusation has been made and his current mild, slightly bemused denial, and instead of counterattacking, show his strength and forcefulness by challenging McCain over McCain's (currently ignored) gaffes.  That would shift the focus back where it belongs.  Thanks for the discussion.

This is not in the league of mixed up canons or nuclear missile parts, but my mother had a friend who once ordered a brazier from a department store and got a brassiere (or vice versa).