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Does Senator Barack Obama's admitting to using alcohol and drugs when he was a kid hurt his chances of being elected president?
That does it. I will vote for Obama. Imagine! An honest politician! I didn't think I would see it in my lifetime. I may even pay attention to the electoral process. Don't tell my super-cynical friends. -Gary, Ouray, Colorado

It might for a very few people. Mr. Obama probably needed to bring out those facts before his rivals did a lot of digging and disclosed his past first. Myself, I could care less. -John, Missoula, Montana

What ever happened to honesty is the best policy? We should admire the courage the senator has projected with his statement. It's a shame how people will twist this into something negative. This should be a lesson to kids that it is never too late to get your act together!
-Erving , New York

I hope it doesn't hurt Obama's chances. It's refreshing to hear a candidate speak openly and honestly about their past. -Thomas, Cupertino, California

How troubling is a new report that says Americans are reading less?
As a teacher I have noticed students reading less as well. I think it is because students have increased homework responsibilities as well as after-school commitments. The homework is required in order for students to cover the curriculum on state mandated tests. Although these students are quite capable of reading, they are often just too exhausted to read for fun! This is a sad commentary for our education system. -Ann

I don't pay much attention to studies. Times change and there are so many different ways of getting information. The Internet, books on tape, radio, television, Black Berries, cell phones, instant messaging and the list goes on and on. I really don't think people are reading any less just in a different format. -Rich, Fairview, Texas

The joke in Europe goes: if you speak two languages, you're bilingual. If you speak one language, you're American. Americans read less, invent less, think less, produce less, vote less, save less, pay attention less, care less, and are fast becoming second if not third-rate in the eyes of the world. Americans burn fuel, consume, spend, criticize, pontificate, preach, boast and loudly demand of others. It's sad for this old citizen to watch. -J.

Dear Jack, In the 1940s and 1950s everyone was raising hell about us kids reading comic books. If it hadn’t been for those comic books, I don’t think I would have learned to read at all. The stuff they wanted us to read in school was so boring I couldn’t stand it. -H., Scottsdale, Arizona

Which presidential candidate would you most like to invite over for Thanksgiving dinner and why?
I'd pick Kucinich. I can't support his socialist economic positions, but he deserves an attaboy for at least trying to impeach Cheney... and he's the only Democratic or Republican candidate whose lies and insanity wouldn't ruin my appetite. -Kris, Livingston, Texas

I would like to invite Hillary Clinton for Thanksgiving dinner. Then, I could tell my grandchildren that the first woman president ate at my house. -Sheila, Northport, Alabama

I'd like to have John Edwards join us for dinner. Why? One because he's passionate about fixing what's wrong in Washington and two because looking across the table at him sure wouldn't upset my digestion. -Diane, Iowa

None of the above. Like you, I'd rather eat alone than with one of the candidates. -Jeffrey, Santa Ana, California

Whether or not I would vote for him, Ron Paul is the most interesting and engaging presidential candidate in years. Apparently, he actually read the Constitution somewhere along the way, and thinks it is important. How quaint! -Richard, Houston, Texas

Jack, I would invite Rudy Giuliani over for dinner because he's a real American hero who's unafraid to say what he thinks and would not just give, dodgy, political answers to regular questions. -Alex, Arlington, Virginia