Just coming back after a hiatus, and reading this thread with interest. I'm seeing characterizations of "liberal media" dogging Palin unfairly, discussions about whether a candidate's children ought to be excluded from the mudslinging of a campaign, and whether we ought to go after the First Lady--and naturally have to put in my .02.

From my creaking and aging neurons comes the impression (no data here, you understand) that we've tended to deal reasonably well with First Ladies over the years. A few things here and there, but mostly we left them alone. Until Clinton, that is. JMO, but right, wrong, or whatever; she seemed to draw fire because she pushed her way into the limelight. Laura Bush got a few snipes here and there, but didn't invite the anger that Clinton drew. Now we go after Obama, but there just doesn't seem to be as much material...yet?

Candidates are always fair game--they put themselves out there, and will draw fire. Fairly or unfairly, it is a way of politics everywhere. Sorry, but Palin gave them a lot of ammunition out of her own mouth, and as a candidate that made it doubly more inviting for the media and the late night show hosts.

The White House kids have periodically drawn fire--Ford's son sneaking a girlfriend in one night, Chelsea at school, Amy Carter coming to a state dinner in her PJ's one night, the Bush kids being kids and getting into trouble.

But never have I seen such nastiness directed at the children of a candidate as I have heard from Letterman. I'm a moderate, and find what he did beyond "poor taste". It was a cheap series of shots, and was so low that whatever shred of respect I might have had for him is just gone.

And the sexual nature--I rarely pull this card out, as feminists drive me batty overdoing this--of what he said is unacceptable ANYTIME, but so much worse when directed at children. As one poster here put it, doesn't matter if his sister is over or under 18. It just is not okay to spew that kind of stuff and think it's funny. About anyone, man or woman. Heck, what's he implying about the players he named....that they're pedophiles? So it's not just about junkola about female children, he just broadband insulted everyone--and it wasn't even funny.

Just my opinion, but a pretty strong one: thumb down. Hard.