Jeez, I thought Matt Damon was an actor, not a political commentator. I'll have to read his bio more closely next time; I mighta missed something. I was too busy brushing up on some flatpicking to Dueling Banjos...but, I'll take the time to read up on Matt a little later. Well, he obviously has an opinion and concern about Sarah Palin. A lot of people don't like her or are worried about her as a VP. Then again, a lot of people seem to really like her and have no qualms about her as VP. I like John McCain, but I'm worried about her stepping in as President should McCain clutch his chest, keel over, and have his "eyes roll back in his haid" while giving a speech or saluting the flag. His melanoma is in remission and has been for 5 years. If you will peruse the medical literature on that subject you will see that indicates a low (but not zero) rate of future recurrence. Stage I cure rate with wide resection is 80-95%. I don't know (nor is the public likely to know) what stage level he had to begin with (it recurred locally once...that's a little worrisome). Higher stages are more aggressive and if he was more advanced, he would be foolish to run for office, and should be home attending to his flower garden, if he has one. I trust he did not have metastases or he'd be either dead by now, or planning a final vacation with his wife, with a decent supply of whiskey on hand. Statistically, melanoma will not fell him in 4 years; 8 years..anybody's guess. Actuarials on males of age 72 give him a 30% chance of death during 8 years. That's a 70% chance of living. Those are life insurance stats. He has no other major health problems which I am aware of, males and females are living longer than ever before, and the most powerful thing going for him is ..genetics. He has already outlived his father who died at age 70, (undisclosed causes..but he was a binge type alcoholic). His mother is still alive at 96. Obama's father died in a car accident, and his Mom died prematurely at age 52, of ovarian cancer in 1995. So, yes I'm concerned about Sarah Palin emerging from backstage as VP, and prancing onto the stage as President, but my concern is not extreme at this juncture. Her stance on many issues, I find revolting, but I'm impressed that McCain's gamble to pick her as a running mate seems to have paid off so far. If he is elected, which is not likely,given the current electoral map, he will probably push her into the background except as a cute figurehead, and have somebody else tell her what to say and do.

I am also concerned about Senator Obama. I am not sure he can lead the nation, nor deliver on his promises. I know he will raise taxes and expand social programs. I am not at all confident that he can firmly deal with terrorism. If elected, he will improve world "opinion" of the United States, it's just that when the chips are down, the US seems to have to go it alone. I will probably not vote for him.

A comparison of Obama and Palin is not justified. He is running for the President, she was picked as VP to recharge the Republican base and try to garnish women voters. That pick has resulted in both, so far. She seems tough, determined, and a hard worker, beyond that, time will tell. She may be no match for Joseph Biden in debate, but it will be very interesting to see public opinion of that event. My hunch is that people on either side will see/hear what they wish to see and hear.

Those are my opinions. Like Matt Damon, and everyone else here, I am entitled to it.

Now I must try making some Blue Corn Tortillas....this cooking madness seems to go on and on...and my flatpicking is getting rusty. You really need to hear the Kentucky Colonels, that Duelin' Banjo thing is really quite pedestrian.