First Draft:

As the President rose to leave after 20 minutes, he said he hoped the visit would help the Falmouth, Maine, woman heal. Halley, 42, replied, ``What would really help my healing is if you'd start finding a way to bring our troops home.''

[snip]

``Now he's dead,'' Halley, an artist, says she told Bush, no longer able to contain her anger. ``For what? I've lost my soul mate.''

"I am so sorry for your loss,'' Bush said more than once.

Their conversation ended shortly after Halley began urging Bush to end the war. "We see things differently,'' he told her.

Halley says the encounter wasn't "sharp,'' even with her strong words and emotions. As they parted, they shook hands, he kissed her on the cheek and gave her a souvenir presidential coin. Read the rest...

A lot was made over Samuel Alito's wife breaking down in tears yesterday and the reaction by the Freepers was not unexpected. The following day after his wife's anguish, how do you think Alito expressed his sympathy for her at the end of the hearing-which obviously was a grueling ordeal for her?

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I'd figure he would wrap his arms around his wife and give her a reassuring hug to tell her that this was all behind them now. Maybe a kiss on the cheek and then they would file out together amidst the crowd and the cameras. How about even a knowing glance? Nope, Strip-search Sammy turned hurriedly away from his wife without acknowledging her presence and bolted for the door as fast as he could leaving her behind in his wake. Was it a possible indication that she was in her proper place after all?