Replies

Now one of the main reasons the terrorists have targeted us is that they see our society as decadent. One thing that they as decadent is our protection of free speech, including racy humor, under the aegis of the First Amendment.

In that light, Laura Bush's off-color jokes, in a forum intended for adults, were giving a metaphorical finger to the terrorists. She was, indeed, standing up for one of the main reasons that I voted for President Bush.

Kathleen Parker made the same point in her latest column:

"I was right there with them, grateful for the humor and appreciative as ever for Mrs. Bush's humanizing effect on the presidency and our nation. But beyond the jokes, my personal mirth was closely tied to another punch line — the one nobody said but that I kept thinking as she delivered one-liners: Good thing she ain't in Saudi Arabia.

Or the Taliban's Afghanistan. Or prewar Iraq. Or northern Nigeria today. Or any number of Islamic theocracies where women who disobey their husbands — or walk down the street uncovered or unaccompanied by a male family member — are flogged, beheaded or stoned to death, depending on the whims of the ruling fathers."

Ella -- In re Afghanistan. That also occurred to me when reviewing First Lady's speech. She's got some very hefty goals she's working on and toward. I thought her roast showed that not only is she willing but ready to get her hands dirty and do the work. Working to improve young boys' lives: and continuing her work in Afghanistan. First Lady gets high marks from me, always; but especially in light of her roast. She's a very skilled lady. She's done her job well; and now she's ready to get into it.

I dip into these threads.. and I wish more people were involved in politics; they'd have a much keener appreciation for what kind of person constitutes a winner versus one that sounds good but loses elections and issues.