The last time I saw Ted Kennedy was a generation after my first meeting, at the Senate subway below the Capitol on Obama's Inauguration Day. He was his usual gregarious and gracious self - with beaming smile and booming voice wishing my husband and me good luck with our pregnancy and expressing his excitement about the new president.

America's demographic shift was obvious to everyone in the 2010 Census - but Republicans stubbornly rejected math, facts, and polls to their electoral peril. While Republicans tailored their platform by and for the pale stale and male, among us, Obama and Democrats are embracing America's diverse mosaic.

If we say we believe in equality for all then we must fight for equality for all, not betray our immigrant sisters.

The free market allowed shock jocks to flourish, and millions of listeners apparently enjoyed the rant.

Americans cherish our liberty and don't want government or corporations to take away our freedoms.

We all must educate children at the youngest ages that private parts are private, 'no' means no, and there is only one code of honor for everyone.

Baseball calls it a curve ball for a reason: you just don't know where some pitches will land. Your ace could get injured. Your golden glover could err. Your team could sit through a rain delay. Your manager could get ejected. Your bench must be broad and deep enough to overcome.