Hi, since i live in (and blog from) Amsterdam, The Netherlands I will be participating in the virtual BlogHer conference in Second Life. I blog (in Dutch) over politics 2.0 on my blog www.ecritures.nl and I have the following question for Elizabeth Edwards: "Reading a lot of blogs of Dutch politicians and having worked for a Dutch government department myself, a lot of politicians seems to struggle with the balance between political (and private) information they can blog about and strategic information they rather keep under wraps. How do you decide on what is appropriate to blog about, both on personal and private matters, while trying to find a balance between keeping a blog personal and just resorting to PR-speech and marketing talk?" I hope my question will get answered. (My avatar name is Gwendolyn Kronsage btw) See you all in SL :-)

I would ask her:
- As a woman, what are her main criteria for initiating dialogue between South and North women activists to peace building?
- As an attorney, how US can use international human rights discourse with a real good faith as an instrument to improve human rights situation first within USA and then in other countries? Without double standards raising from US political interest, like its different approach to human rights abuse to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Iran...
- As an advisor for her husband, how US is going to cover Iraq’s war damages and deaths? Is it possible to fill the deep gap in Iraqi life that Bush has created just by brining home American soldiers? And also what’s her reflect on Iran? Is she thinking about another war even for a short moment in her strategic planning?
- As an American, what she is thinking about interacting just dialogue between American society and other nations ( Middle East)? ...we in South countries in particular Middle East have been influenced by American media propaganda; we are scaring from American empire building which caused us a lot of difficulties...

Iranian human rights activist and blogger
www.saharmaranlou.blogspot.com

I think Elizabeth Edwards is an inspirational and empowering role model for all women...And in a time when we have precious few of them. I love that she speaks her mind, and doesn't care if it is necessarily the "politically correct" thing to do. I really love that she has the "ovaries" to call Ann Coulter out on her hate mongering. And her courageous outlook on life, even while fighting breast cancer, is awe-inspiring.

Anyway, I guess it goes without saying...I am so excited that Elizabeth Edwards will be at the BlogHer Conference.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope and Informed Voters

Ann Coulter really crosses the line when her acerbic comments touch upon personal tragedy, as with the Jersey Girls and the death of the Edwards's son.

That said, Ann Coulter has been a boon to the Edwards's floundering campaign. As she notes, she's their biggest fundraiser!

In all honesty, I'd like to ask Mrs. Edwards how Americans who are pro-life should respond to a health care policy that covers abortions which goes against our beliefs? Especially when our tax dollars would support such a thing. But I don't think I'd be able to ask that question without a huge dose of courage in my back pocket.

I believe Mrs. Edwards is an amazing and courageous woman and she deserves a great deal of respect.

I look forward to hearing her speak. I'm certain I will learn a lot from what she has to say.

I'd like to hear from Elizabeth Edwards what role, if any, social media would play in an Edwards Presidency. If she finds herself First Lady, would she blog from the White House? If she could be a one-person BlogHers Act, what issues would she press forward via social media to effect non-partisan change?

I continue to be inspired by how EE called Ann Coulter on her lies and innuendo. I would be very interested in her take on how we can return the level of US political discourse to conversation about issues. Versus the hyperbole, innuendo, cult of personality and battle of the soundbites it has become.

Can we? Or have we become so polarized, so divided (call it red state blue state if you want) that we can't talk about issues, we can only talk from positions?

Lisa,

I have a few questions:

1. As the fashion columnist for The Anniston Star, Anniston, Ala., I have to be honest in the fact I find it appalling people focus so much attention on critiquing what other folks wear. I like to have fun in my writing, but it is just bad manners to make fun of another's person wardrobe:) Considering Mrs. Edwards is in the public eye, and subject to critique, does she have a fashion consultant to help her select her wardrobe? And What is the one thing she wears that makes her feel great?

2. Does Mrs. Edwards feel women are supportive of each other in our society? I am not referring to her comments about Mrs. Clinton, but rather in day-to-day relationships.

Thanks so much!
Blessings,
Theresa Shadrix
All The Rage Fashion Column

I guess this is a bigger question about party politics than it is a personal one.

With the party straying so far to the right, with the erosion of civil rights, social conscience in gov't, and the shocking ineffectiveness of the Democratic Party over the last 6 years, I wonder what the strategy will be to activate apathetic voters who feel abandoned (a-hem), to revitalize the party faithful (a-hem a-hem) and to deliver on the issues that have been touchstones for socially minded democrats should the party be successful.

Nerd's Eye View

Susan,

Well, OK, get out your shovel:)

The online world has proven women will support each other via their fingertips - just look at Blogher. But, what happens when the computers are turned off?

My eyes were opened when I wrote a column about Toxic friends and infectious eye shadow. I thought I was alone, but I heard from women who were sucked dry from other women, not men, in the all aspects of life.

In our society, it seems like women don't have a Good Ol' Gals network. Meaning, do we really watch each other's back or do we dive into the gossip pit first without thinking about other women? Do we help advance other women in their home life and career? Do we take responsibility to nurture ourselves first and then to nurture others? Do we mentor other women and encourage them? Are we strong enough to tell another woman we don't see eye-to-eye, but yet still love her?

Here is an example of what I mean: Although statistics show men are helping more with household chores and are much more involved in childcare, we live in a society in which extended family members, for the most part, are not available to help with the daily tasks of life. So, when a friend of mine was pregnant with her fourth child and very sick, I showed up at her house and cleaned it from top to bottom. It was so difficult for her to accept help and the first thing she thought about was that I might tell other women how dirty her house was! Well, that was almost a decade ago. I never told anyone about her house and we know that no matter how hectic our lives may be, I have her back and she has mine. She is part of my Good Ol' Gals network.

Think about this: If it were not for the women before us, we would not have the right to vote, the right to property, the right to our children and the right to be heard. So, do we support each other in our day-to-day lives or have we just become a generation of women who seek to be the first in line?

Blessings,
Theresa Shadrix
All The Rage Fashion Columnist

Mrs. Edwards manages to be competely, totally, herself. She mentioned this in her Vogue interview a few months back and it stuck with me. I'm wondering if this has been a problem, ever, in her political and public life, and how she handled attempts by advisers or handlers to control what she says, looks like, acts like, etc.

Given that the Clinton/Gore administration with all their clout, charisma and facts couldn't get the auto-workers to agree to lower emissions and given the mutton-mindedness that exists in Congress today, why should we believe that Washington carries any weight to get something done quickly?

Even Clinton stated that market incentives, not laws will move the green building initiative along faster. What will John do to move things along that perhaps doesn't need the approval of Congress?

It's long, but I sincerely want to know. I see politics as the definition of insanity. Electing new people to a poor system won't provide the needed climate change initiatives fast enough. I'd like to know her thoughts on it and where she sees women as change agents outside the system.

Mary Clare Hunt
www.InWomenWeTrust.com

>Electing new people to a poor system won't provide the needed climate change initiatives fast enough.

What's her opinion of the system?

>Even Clinton stated that market incentives, not laws will move the green building initiative along faster. What will John do to move things along that perhaps doesn't need the approval of Congress?

What's the Edwards plan for effecting change for the greener -- now, not later?

Thanks!

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

I was really struck by how the whole atmosphere changed in the room when a woman stood up and confessed to Arianna Huffington that she could be fearless in business but completely terrified in her parenting. That kind of honest comment made the space (imho) for Arianna to be honest, too--it was one of those amazing moments where the conversation went from theoretical/political to powerful. I will never forget it.

That said, I really want to ask Elizabeth Edwards how she feels about the campaign and the demands that kind of travel schedule puts on herself and her husband--especially in light of her illness. As a voter who really likes John Edwards, I feel torn about supporting him when this is a really critical time when his presence in the Edwards family might be vital. What makes it worth it to her to pursue this dream of the presidency with her husband--especially now when her cancer is back?

I don't know if that's too personal, but it's something I'd like to hear her talk about if she felt comfortable.

www.jenlemen.com art, soul and stories for everyday

I sent a notice out to all our BlogHer in Second Life attendees letting them know they too can ask a question here in the comments of this post!