My mom on Palin, in a letter I got today:

[crim son]

"Of course we're being spun. I can't believe the fuss being made of Palin - the squeaky cheerleader without experience and who is basically a great tale teller. If she was homely has a hedgehog no one would be leaping to their feet and screaming her name. Hollywood has long influenced our deep thinking about politics."

Mom has always hated the Shrub, but this is the first time she will be able to vote in a presidential election (she's been a "permanent alien" for decades but got her citizenship last year) and I don't know if she plans to bother. Disgusted with this country, my parents live in Mexico half the year anyway, coming back to see family and take care of business.