Nothing I have read over the past several weeks has offers more insight about the choice of Sarah Palin for the Republican ticket than Garrison Keillor's column.

Palin's candidacy smacks of a cynical regard for voters and disregard for the issues of the day, especially when I could think of a number of incredibly qualified and admired Republican women, including Sen. Olympia Snowe, who would have given authenticity to the McCain campaign and a breadth of knowledge we have not yet seen, and most likely won't see, from Palin.

Instead, the Republican leaders have turned this into a circus, tapping into veins of racism and ignorance that ignore the strength of our communities and of our nation. Truly they won't be happy until many more people are without their retirement or a roof over their head.

Tom Liscord

Wayne