Dear concerned citizens of America and mass media of the U.S.A.

As a concerned disabled American Veteran and American citizen, I consider it my duty and responsibility to address the following critical issues facing the voters of our Greatgrand nation, the United States of America [USA].

The citizens of the United States of America [USA] have the ultimate power and responsibility to elect the Right Ticket with the right joint "temperament, judgment, and statesmanship" to lead our nation as well as change our nation's present and future moral, political, economic, educational, health care, energy, military, and foundational soul.

In my firm professional, personal, and political opinion, the media should help the common voter to explore and discuss the following attributes of the present Republican and Democratic presidential slates:

1. Does the joint ticket have a calm, cool, and collected " temper and impulse" [Presidential Temperament]?
2. Does each ticket have sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber"?
3. Does each ticket have a "presidential depth and degree" in regard to their purpose, policies, and positions?
4. Does each ticket have adequate, "understanding and knowledge" of workings around Washington"?
5. Does each ticket have enough "vigor, wisdom and Vision" for the future of our beloved Great-grand Nation?
6. Does each ticket possess enough joint foreign policy experience and ex-poser based on "American Values, Virtues, Vastness, and strong soul"?
7. Are their campaign talk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair attacks, negativity, and impulsivity?

If your answer to a majority of the above questions is yes, I suggest you vote for that ticket. As a Independent registered voter I have decided to vote for Obama-Biden ticket. I am sure they will protect our national security, Strong's, stamina and strong soul. Rebuild our nation from bottom up in all areas of need, OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will once again restore and rebuild our global standing with the use of maximum international humane diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated.

Yours sincerely,

COL. A.M. Khajawall [Ret] MD., Forensic psychiatrist, Colonel, US-AR / MC Combat Stress Control[Ret], Disabled American Veteran and Iraq Freedom team.

PS: Please do not blame Sarah Palin. Talk about the impulsiveness, temperament, and judgement of Hon, senator McCain.

The greatest measure of McCain's lack of judgment is his selection of Palin as VP candidate. He didn't know what he didn't know and yet he jumped in with both feet. We don’t know Palin at all, and apparently neither does McCain. He had to look down at his cheat sheet to get her name when he introduced her. He spent about fifteen minutes in total speaking with her prior to the announcement of her candidacy. His decision to go along with this candidate speaks worlds about McCain’s poor judgment. Palin has not been thoroughly vetted, he just sent a team to Alaska to nose around, and this is a serious lapse in judgment. . If as claimed, McCain knew about the poor kid who is pregnant, as totally irrelevant as that is, he had to also have known there would be a huge media storm distracting from his campaign. Furthermore, she is deeply involved in a political scandal concerning abuse of her official powers. Is this the best the Republican Party has to offer?? A lightweight, anti-choice, creationist, anti-animal, anti-environment, pro-oil candidate who won her limited fame on right-wing radio talk shows? The thought that she would be a heartbeat away from the presidency in light of her gross inexperience and McCain's age and health- is absolutely terrifying. More importantly, McCain has clearly demonstrated significant lack of judgment which disqualifies him for the highest office in the land.

COL. A.M. Khajawall

Nothing you have suggested, in this attempt to add value to Obama makes sense. He's done nothing with the time he's had in the state, or national senate to suggest this. I think your a very confused Democrat. You should seek therapy, but your the doctor.

I am also voting for Obama/Biden. John McCain has exhibited extremely bad judgment in his pick of Sarah Palin for his running mate. I do not blame Governor Palin beyond her own misjudgment of accepting. She is nowhere near qualified to be vice-president of the U.S., and must know that. I feel badly for her kids and anyone else who has been dragged into the spotlight over this frivolous decision of McCain's.

I don't think the issue is working motherhood. I think the issue is someone who will have a major say in the appointment of Supreme Court justices being on record as opposing abortion for a minor who has been raped. This is an extreme position that has little support among American voters. And the bankruptcy of her position on sex education is apparent for all to see.

I realize this is a mommy blog so you're going to write about the mommy angle, but don't you think the other 14 stories about her might be more relevant to her governing ability? The abuses of power as mayor and gov., VECO/Stevens/lobbyist connections, oil connections, the penchant for earmarks, the environmental disregard, the secessionist ties ... shall I go on? The list does go on for some time...

And second what the Col. said.

Yes, this is a parenting blog, so I'm trying to keep us on subject. I can see that's not working.

Absolutely! Sarah Palin or her family are not to be blamed or dragged into this controversial judgment. It is a matter of great import regarding the fallibility of judgment in the future President, his narrowed focus only on the elections and his perspective of viewing the nation's future only in terms of war and power, in a modern world where power of money talks more than power of military (compare with China). Economy and peace should be the talking issue not war and military might.

Please think first when you put your country first. It is this combination that will work better in this new world order. Good judgment is the core of running the country well.

Obama was born when his mother was 18, which means he was probably conceived when his mom was 17, and he seems to turn out ok - so what's all these fuss about Palin's daughter being pregnant at 17 ???
all these hypocryptic, leftist media......

I cannot vote for obama especially with his multiple questionable contacts and past histroy. His ability to approve the killing of live-born babies who survived abortiona attempts is an abomination. He is absolutely unfit to hold the office of President of the United States. He is unexperienced and WEAK on military issues. And I couldn't care less about what the world view holds about our country. Sounds like a junior high clique, "I want the cool kids to like me" well, all the cool kids are unemployed, and the others are in charge.

As a veteran who swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States.
I allways ask my self one question, which candidate will uphold the constituion and the rights of our citizens.
Barak Obama He opposed the ban on partial-birth abortion -Obama strongly criticized the Supreme Court decision upholding the partial-birth ban.-In the Illinois state Senate, he opposed a bill similar to the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which prevents the killing of infants mistakenly left alive .
The consitution is very clear on this point in many places NO PERSON SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF LIFE WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW .

Why would any of the above referenced sites interest me? All that is listed is more and more gossip and rumors.

There was a time the The Baltimore Sun was an elite newspaper where a person could come for proper news reporting; moreover, to get the truth about real matter in real time.

However, lately the Sun has stooped to the level of the NY Times.

Yes, I am a Marylander, yet I will not align myself with The Baltimore Sun ever again.

And as for our esteemed COL., well it's better that I not address the words of a fool.

I would love to see the discussion shifted to how US society/government policy can support mothers (and fathers) who want time with their children without giving up work/careers entirely. The US has one of the most pitiful leave policies of all industrialized nations (for example, Canada allows for 50 weeks of fully paid leave; Sweden 18 months). This is what we should be talking about - maybe the Sun can do a story on this...

Did any of you liberal pinkos stop to think that just maybe she got pregnant by Intelligent Design and not by having unwed teen sex while under her mother's supervision? Did ya?

Hi Michelle,

The simple reason we don't have 50 weeks of paid leave here is because THIS IS NOT A SOCIALIST COUNTRY!

If you want to learn something really appauling do a search for r hunter biden and see what he has been up too and what role his father and Obama played in his carreer.

Also go to factcheck.org and learn more about obamas relationship with Reszko.

I really am sick of the media insistance on talking about the daughters baby. If my taxdollars are not paying for the baby then I do not see the relevence. Ironically they stick their head in the sand on real important issues like the bidens using lobbiest to invest in hedge fund buyouts or hunter working for MBNA while his dad is establishing legisilation that helps credit card companies collect .

Parents in the US do have paid maternity leave; in fact, an unlimited amount. They save their money, and then live on it while on leave.

Oh, I'm so silly, you meant you wanted ME to pay for your maternity leave?

As an interested bystander watching from Australia I am staggered by the focus on the personal issues involving candidates in the US, rather than on their policies. In the past few days there has been scarcely any discussion in the popular/mainstream US media about the policy positions of the main candidates in the presidential campaign. The decision US voters will make in November not only affects the US, but millions of people around the world, because of the financial power and reach of your government and your businesses. Speaking for myself I am less interested in the circus and side-shows of the campaign, but I am extremely concerned about what your great country will do in the next four years in relation to the global economy, global trade issues, Iraq and the middle east, Africa, Russia, climate change, alternative energy and a myriad of other issues. Please take your capacity to vote seriously, self-interest is important, but whether you like it or not you also have a role as a global superpower which you need to consider.

I wish issues for women and families were better represented, but they simply are not. Most European countries have excellent family leave policies and they are not socialist regimes. I don't expect anyone to pay for my maternity leave, but since I am a tax payer, I would like to see my issues addressed as well: equal pay for women, the ability to have maternity leave without losing my job (the FMLA Act only applies to large companies), the right to choose what is best for my body, getting our troops out of Iraq, ending our oil dependency, improving our schools, improving international relations (and no, it's not a popularity contest, it's good politics). As far as I'm concerned, ALL of these politicians are shady. We haven't had one yet who doesn't have a skeleton in the closet. It will always be a choice between the lesser of two evils. The presidency is a human job, and we are human beings. None of us are perfect. And you may not agree with the Colonel's political views, but perhaps you could show a modicum of respect for a VETERAN and not insult him.

Gov Palin has shown that she is charismatic and equipped with superb oratory skills. As for experience, I hope that the media will finally realize that a Governor has to make “The buck stops here” decisions unlike any Senator who gets to vote with his party herd. As for depth of experience, Sen. Clinton was elected to the Senate with no experience. Her one assignment in government–health care reform–was botched badly. Seven years later she is ready to be president? Romney was a one-term Governor–he has two years on Palin and no one in the media questioned his readiness to be president. And Giuliani is just a mayor.

I am a PROUD Liberal woman. My observation of the whole Bristol Palin pregnancy is how our society is debating whether or not Sarah Palin is a bad parent. Teens have unprotected sex. I'm sure Bristol knew her parents position and made her own decision. That's what teens do. The make decisions, often bad decisions. I only want to note the LACK of blame on Bristol's DAD. I honestly don't believe either of them are bad parents. My point is the focus is soley on the mother, not both parents. Yes, Sarah is the on running for office, but she is not single, and not raising her five kids on her own. Yet, good ole american society wants to blame the mom.
That being said, this particular situtation is a solid case against absentence only sex-ed. I'm curious to see if Sarah learns from this, or remains anti-sex ed, anti birth control for teens etc....

At last, commonsense, good sense and good values.

Sarah Palin is the oak tree that won't bend in the wind. Today people are confused by new standards changing every day by minority do-gooders who quickly become the majority because people can be like sheep.

Sarah stands firm, she believes what we believed before all the hokus pokus became the standard measure - of confusion. And this confusion by adults is carried on to our children.

What hope when people have lost good sense and values and run around in lunatic circles, waiting for the next selfish and ridiculous idea the minority group decides to dictate to all.

BTW I'm also from Australia and many of us are watching with keen interest, whether pro or con America is the land of hope.

Way to go Sarah Palin!

Andrea Sharp: So your idea of good values is trying to have books banned from a public library? If you want to talk about "confusion," take a look at Palin's political career thus far.

Pam, what in the world are you talking about? You said Senator Obama "approves of the killing of live-born babies?" Are you insane? You must be to even suggest something so hideous and hideously wrong.

Dear Moms:

This election is not about Sarah. She may be a great Mom, etc. but it is about John McCain. I am married to a very bright and successful attorney. He is now approaching 73 years old. He is forgetting so much, his decision abilities are slow and not as good as they used to be. If he was running for President, I wouldn't vote for him. Our country is so precious to all of us who enjoy freedom and it is under such strain from the last 8 years. I want a younger man, a very intelligent man, a man with endless energy who is not forgetful who thinks on his feet and can surround himself with other people who have much experience in government. Therefore I am voting for Barach Obama. He can do it. Google his record in Illinois and you will find that he has done so much in the State Legislature. And I believe that Sarah will continue to do good for the state of Alaska. Let us leave her there for this election. We really do need change, and McCain talks the talk but believe me he won't be able to "walk the walk". For your own sake and your children's sake don't elect John and Sarah this time.