"Fox News called her an American hero because she chose to keep and raise her baby with Downs Syndrome. Are they for real? Millions of other woman do it without a fraction of the resources this woman has. "

Okay, this may be in bad taste, but it strikes me that when the tabloidized press started running with the wild rumor that Palin's son with Down's syndrome was actually her grandson, someone should have pointed out that the mere fact that he had Down's syndrome proved that of the two, Sarah Palin was more likely to be the mother (as she was over 40 at the time he was born).

Lots of mothers raise children with disabilities or disadvantages. And I'll agree, they deserve some credit for that (hopefully "credit" that'll make their lives easier) but hero? Personally I think the responsible thing to do when one already has children and one is approaching an age where the likelihood of birth defects is rapidly increasing is to use birth control. Or have ones tubes tied.

I'll gladly file someone over 40 getting a child with Down's syndrome under "shit happens!" , but when they say it's heroic ---- that's ugly. Then I just think "your mess, your cleanup."

Not all Democrats have the same beliefs just as not all Republicans have the same beliefs.  It's not a hive-mind.  I'm a Democrat but I'm moderate.

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I never said they did. But are you seriously trying to tell me the majority of Republicans aren't against gay rights and abortion. I'm moderate on some topics. But the ones you mentioned don't affect me and the people I know as much as the ones you say you lean to the left on. I'm very good friends with a gay couple. To watch them spend the last fifteen years together and not be able to declare their love for each other in a way I took for granted is a travesty. I cannot in good conscience support any candidate who does not want them to have the exact same rights as I have. Not something just like it. The EXACT same thing.

As far as abortion, I also have no wiggle room. I'm pro-choice period. As a man I have absolutely no right to tell a woman what to do with her body.

That's why I will probably never vote Republican as long as I live. Those 2 issues. If a pro-choice, pro gay marriage Republican ever runs for office I may change my mind. I feel that happening is about as likely as me walking on the moon.

Not saying they're not out there. Just that the religious right would never allow them to get that much power where they would ever be a viable candidate for President.

That's been my main problem with the Republican party in recent years. They lost their way and became pawns of the religious conservatives. Unfortunately I don't think McCain is the one to bring them back and I know Palin isn't. She may be worse than Bush.

From what I've watched over the last few years it seems worse than that. It's come across very clearly that if you're a Democrat, you're not even an
American.

This is why people like Olbermann, O'Reilly, Hannity et al are so contemptable to me.  When did politicial disagreement turn into an unamerican trait?  The counter to Al's post is that for many in this country (and maybe abroad) labeling oneself as a republican is akin to self identifying as a facist.  For people like Olbermann and Hannity political affiliation is a zero sum game.  And such thoughts, regardless of political stripe, are patently offensive. 

This is a day of great sadness for many of us.  Many of us lost friends seven years ago.  Justifiable anger is appropriate and as most here would know (by this point at least) I am no fan of the present administration and a great many of its policies.  I can agree, somewhat, with Olbermann's message regarding some GOP politicians and strategists.  Its the timing of his message that I find really contemptable.  Obviously he felt this way last week during the Republican convention.  I suspect that he has felt this way for sometime.  I have no issue with him articulating these feelings or expressing these views -- some of which I agree with.  What I do take issue with is his choice of when to articulate these feelings. He chose the night before the anniversary to post this.  Instead of a prayer for national unity, a rememberance of friends lost or triubute to the true heroes of that day and the days the followed, Mr. Olbermann chose to use the anniversary, and the emotions surrounding it, to put forth his political agenda.  Is that so very different from that which he accussed the GOP?

Senators McCain and Obama are suspending any negative advertisements today.  Both will be at the site of the former World Trade Center today.  This is not a day that should be focused on Republicans or Democrats. It is a day that should be focused on our common standing as Americans, and in a larger sense, as fellow human beings.  Instead of thinking of what has divided us for the last eight years I am going to try to remember what unites us as a nation.  The spirit of community and common purpose that we all felt in the wake of our nation's saddest day. It is that reminder that on a great issues we have shared goals. That is the important lesson to my mind.  It is to recall what we share in common.  Democrats love this country and so do Republicans.  Democrats and Republicans both want better lives for their kids and themseleves, there is simply disagreement on how it is achieved.  As Senator Obama has noted (and one of the reasons I like him) it is not how we are different, it is how we are the same.    

So instead of casting blame or leveling accusations, today my thoughts are with those who cannot be here; with those who served and continue to serve their fellows (be they mayors, community organziers, police, teachers, health care providers or even lawyers); and, finally, with those whose sacrifices allow us to have these heated, and in some cases petty, disputes.

God Bless America. 

I never said they did. But are you seriously trying to tell me the majority of Republicans aren't against gay rights and abortion. I'm moderate on some topics. But the ones you mentioned don't affect me and the people I know as much as the ones you say you lean to the left on.

The reason my right leaning items trumped my left leaning items is purely because of the current world environment.  IMO, I feel Obama would lead this country in a Marxist direction.  You can't have rights and freedoms if you don't have a country in which you can express those rights and freedoms.  I'm about checks and balances.  If the house or the senate were Republican controlled there would have been enough checks and balances in place to make me possibly consider Obama.  But, Obama, with the current Congress, would be able to steamroll way too many extreme things through with no one having their foot on the brake.

But, Obama, with the current Congress, would be able to steamroll way too many extreme things through with no one having their foot on the brake.

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I disagree. But since Bush did the same thing I can understand your point. I just know Obama is better than Bush. I can't see him doing the same thing.

I still don't understand what this "Marxist direction" you think he's going take us in. Care to elaborate?

You can't have rights and freedoms if you don't have a country in which you can express those rights and freedoms. 

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I have a feeling you'd lose a lot more "rights and freedoms" with McCain. What are these "rights or freedoms" Obama wants to take away? Bush has taken away more rights in 8 years than any President in recent history, all under the guise of protecting the nation. This really sits well with you?

I still don't understand what this "Marxist direction" you think he's going take us in. Care to elaborate?

Seconded!  Its as comical as when Mark Levin or Hannity claim that Obama (and to a larger extent Democrats) are socialists!