Obama's book states that he was in a drug and alcohol induced haze throughout his last years of high school.  Experimentation is one thing - social imbibing, being in a drug induced haze thourghout what a child's job is - going to school and learning, is quite another, but I digress. 

You are correct that I was a very small child during the Cuban Missle Crisis (it is actually my first memory of something outside of family events).  However, as for civics class and my personal experiences of once having been the wife of an Air Guard member, I do believe that the national Guard is our first line of defense - which is why I brought up the physical distance between Alaska and Russia and Florida and Cuba.  You are correct that each state does not have its own foreign policy - that is deferred to the federal government, but the Guard is the first line of defense.  Gov Palin is the commander in chief of the Guard in Alaska. 

I also agree that there were many peaceful protests - just like there was here in St. Paul this week.  However, those peaceful protests (then as now) were overshadowed by the violent protests (remember the Deomcratic convention in Chicago in 1968?).  Obama's continued association with Ayers is dispicable.  But I understand how the graying left backs think this is a great thing, because this may cause an overthrow of the government that has been in existence for 232 years.  Your reference to the "Days of Rage" were not days, but continued for years - that I DO remember. 

I also find it amusing that the Liberals and Democracts have so demonized Bush, not just domestically, but globally.  Yet, when someone points out the lacking points in their candidate (whom I believe was nominated out of sheer guilt), they attack Bush.  Please remember BUSH IS NOT RUNNING THIS TIME, although the Dems are still fighting against him.  McCain was defnitely not my first chocie, either.  However, I believe that Palin makes his ticket.  Obama keeps running on CHANGE.  What kind of change?  Change is not always the best answer for change's sake.  I think the website that I gave the URL for explains completely the kind of change he wants.  If he truly wanted change, why did he pick a running mate with 36 years in the US Senate.  Kinda seems like more of the same, right?  Obama picked Biden to balance out his weaknesses, just like McCain picked Palin to balance out his.  McCain is not Bush and if you look at his REAL record (not the Dem's talking points that he voted with Bush 90% of the time - which includes honoring the local boy scoput troop for a speical something they did - you will see McCain is not Bush, which is why his candidacy was nearly derailed this time last year.  It is time to stop the BS and bickering over innane things, get the corruption out of DC and actually accomplish a betterment of our society!