[NeoCaveman]

ople make choices all the time, based on their personal values. Imagining that one is a helpless victim of circumstance, rather than a conscious agent, is not a recipe for sound mental health, good relationships, or political wisdom, in my opinion.

Right on! Right on.

[Tax-chick]

One of the things I often tell my children is, “Rephrase that sentence so that it begins, ‘I decided to ...’ “. (Sometimes I tell my husband the same thing, if I’m not concentrating and get him mixed up with our son. But I apologize.) I grew up hearing this from my mother, who as a Navy wife in wartime (Vietnam) was effectively a single mother for most of my childhood.

I think it’s curious that the discussions of Sarah Palin’s commitments as governor, candidate, potentially Vice President generally go on as if her husband didn’t exist. I’ll bet their children don’t think he’s irrelevant.