Question: Was Cheney's daughter asked not to be there or did she decline? Like the Bush girls were a plus. :rolleyes:

Very difficult subject.

The official word is that it was Mary's decision to refrain from appearing on stage with her family but she did sit in a VIP booth with her partner the whole time. Word is is that she was advised not to go up there. Either way, she caved and is weak on gay rights for helping daddy with his anti-gay agenda.

Tom and I had our first date attending a documentary premiere at the AFI fest called "Gay Republicans"-- about the Log Cabin Republicans Chris mentioned earlier. (One of Tom's friends produced it.) It was a fascinating piece just because I couldn't look away from the car accident, but it made me feel extremely sad for the people featured. They seemed, like Groucho Marx, to want to be a part of a party that didn't want them.

Cheney is even more of a chump for allowing his daughter to be treated that way.

And, Bush even more of a chimp for letting his daughters be a part of the 'show' {from what I remember}.

John John was adorable at, what, 3? They were not.

Am I derailing? Sorry. :blush:

I didn't see anyone mention this one: It's not just Catholic's that commemorate lent. Episcopalians do, as do many (some?) other Christian groups.

(And many 'heathens' celebrate the blow-out before lent, especially in my part of the country!)

My Presby friends (as they call themselves) also observe Lent.

Methodists obeserve Lent in the sense that the banners change, themed devotionals appear, and the Sunday bulletin says "First Sunday of Lent," etc... I've even been to a Methodist Ash Wednesday service. But as far as the "giving up" ritual, that's strictly optional and likely doesn't come up unless you're in a prayer group or home church or whathaveyou.