While some of David Letterman's jokes about Sarah Palin's family were no doubt in poor taste and open to misinterpretation (i.e., which daughter he was talking about), he was not the first comedian (or politician) to make such comments. I never thought I would actually feel a little sorry for David Letterman-poor taste or not, we all have an off day and generally he's a pretty funny and entertaining guy. He's apologized twice, and he doesn't deserve to be fired. And I have to admit, I find the sight and sound of Sarah Palin to be a true irritant. I feel sorry for her kids (and Alaskan wildlife) in general.

And for the people who complain that Stephen Colbert was a comedic apologist for our presence in Iraq, LIGHTEN UP! He's an entertainer/comedian, not a politician. When Obama ordered General Odierno to "shave that man's head," it was absolutely hilarious. The basic training sequence was also funny-I don't know how the drill sergeant managed to keep a straight face. I would love to see the outtakes. Colbert has stepped into Bob Hope's shoes-entertaining the troops through the USO. It's not the troops' fault that they are in Iraq-blame BushCheneyCo. for that one. At least Obama appears to be working on getting them home. I honestly don't know if it would be prudent to instantaneously cut off all funding, as some progressives in Congress would like to do, and let the chips fall where they may. I have a feeling that, unfortunately, we have to gradually dig ourselves out of this hole.

Watched a PBS documentary last night about "don't ask, don't tell" (Independent Lens). Seems that Obama could issue an executive order rescinding any prohibition against gays serving openly, much like Truman (I think?) did rescinding the policy of blacks serving separately in the military. The documentary effectively made the point that keeping gays who wish to serve out of the military is a civil rights issue-it is discrimination, plain and simple. The documentary also made the point that, in the last few years, the military has lowered its standards for admission to address a shortage of recruits. (Maybe it wouldn't be such a problem if we weren't at "war" in Iraq and Afghanistan.)

My biggest complaint so far about Obama is that some things are not moving as fast as I would like, but then he has a full plate (health care reform, the economy, the Middle East) and real change takes time. Dick Cheney should shut up and go back to his underground bunker. In an ideal world, the media would not publicize his comments so much (i.e., you had your chance, you blew it, the American people voted for a change). He talks about how the U.S. was kept safe for eight years-hello, who was in charge when 9/11 happened?

I do think that eventually we will have a public option/single payer health care and that equal rights for gays will also happen (marriage equality, serving in the military, etc.) We've started down those paths and I don't think the American people as a majority want to turn back. Congress needs to get its collective head out of its behind, grow a spine, and listen to its constituency (remember us, the people who pay your salary).

As for Iran, it's too bad people didn't take to the streets like that in this country and demand a new election back in 2000.

Both my husband and I threw out our backs the weekend before last lifting too much heavy luggage at once on our way home from Gettysburg, instead of making two trips to the car. Felt kinda miserable for a couple of days, now (a week later) just about back to normal. It was hard to bend down/get up from a sitting position for a day or two. I really have to be careful about that.

When I spell-checked this post, the spellchecker suggested "obscenely" for "BushCheneyCo." How ironically appropriate.