I want to thank our country's veterans, police and firemen, and anyone who has ever stood up against the odds to defend the U.S. from the terrorists who destroyed the World Trade Center, part of The Pentagon, and nearly The White House.

I feel that a response is necessary regarding Kenneth Larsen’s opinion on how effective George W. Bush has been at keeping America safe from terrorist attacks (“Why change after seven safe years?,” Sept. 2).

There have been no bloggers more solidly conservative and in Bush's camp through it all than Powerline, as many conservatives know. We should all take pause then when Paul Mirengoff of Powerline has this to say about Palin:

This SF Chronicle article from economist Gary Gallis expresses what I have been trying to tell people about government employee pay and benefits for the last two years now. It is gradually getting out there into the mainstream press, and is a big reason why despite continuing record tax increases in both Napa and the state we are constantly in budget deficit problems.

Amidst the mud slinging and exaggerations there is one email about Palin that stands out as reliable criticism. Part of the reason is that the author, Anne Kilkenny, gives her name and is in a position to know. Much of it is opinion, but at least based on direct personal experience and supporting facts.

In a recent visit with the Register editorial board, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, addressed a range of topics, touching on matters from Iraq to Calistoga.

Dear editor, I am genuinely disappointed in the tone used during the speeches at the Republican National Convention the other night. Whether you are conservative, liberal or in the middle, it is easy to see vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin is utilizing fundamental ideas to promote war and oil drilling in this country.

Dear editor, The Napa County Child Care Planning Council, with support from the various Napa County chambers of commerce, is seeking nominations for the 2009 Family-Friendly Workplace Awards.

Barack Obama chose Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate ... what do you think of the choice?

(Editor's note: The comments on this crashed about 9:30 a.m Friday, right after McCain's announcement. We were able to rebuild most but not all of the comments)