Mackey Mouse, I grew up in Peabody (and that's Peee-buddy, not Pea Body), and we drank tonic all the time! It was only when I moved to Ithaca NY that I learned about soda, although at my MIL's in Ohio, we drink pop- diet pop, no less!
I pretty much agree with Jackskellingtonsgirl. I think Palin speaks in that "folksy" way because she thinks the American people are looking for a pal they can have a beer with. Hmmm..I have plenty of those already! There are 2 ways to look at this: Either she really DOES speak this way and will not be listened to or respected internationally, or she DOESN'T normally speak this way but does so for the American public, to be "one of us". Either scenario stinks, and I find it insulting to be treated like I didn't quite make it through high school before my 30th birthday.
When my DH and I got married, we had to go to the town hall, fill out papers, pay a fee, and get a marriage license. To my way of thinking, that's a legal contract, a legal union, whatever you want to call it. We filled out the paperwork, paid the fee, and became family together. When my DSis and BIL adopted my niece, the filled out the paperwork, paid the fee, and became family together. What's the big deal?? WHy can we ALL not fill out the paperwork, pay the fee, and become family?? The "married" part is holy matrimony, which to me is a church service (didn't have one, did have a marriage ceremony but didn't need god's permission or blessing, not our belief system). That's a separate issue, between you and your church (and your god). I don't get why everyone thinks gay marriage would threaten "marriage". Separate church and state (hey, THERE'S an idea!), for pete's sake. OK, I realize that being accepted by the religion of your family or that you choose is important for many. I just think it's time for EVERYONE to look at the difference between making a legal contract between consenting adults to determine legal family status and having a wedding with "god's blessing" to determine this.
BTW, I'm voting for Obama/Biden. Never any question in my mind that I'd vote for the Dems, regardless of who ran (other than an outright criminal, had enough of them in the white house already). Dems are far more in line with my thoughts and feelings. Maine is represented in the senate by Collins and Snow, two women, who are more to the left of most of the republicans, and sometimes I can support their votes. However, when push comes to shove they will caucus with the republicans, and that's not my line of thought, so I can't support them (unlike about 75% of the rest of the state). Terrible way to choose a country's leaders, but that's unfortunately what it's come to, and likely won't change until there is true election and campaign financing reform.
PS- The boston accents on "Cheers" were the worst of all!! And don't get me started on "Murder, She Wrote"!!
(I kid... I kid...) I realize I might have come across a little harsh in my earlier post -- Ah likes mah EYE-talian dressin' as much as the next gal.
