Editor’s Note: The following comments have been edited for length

Comment to the Question of the Day on May 9

Bonnie Oliver - 5/9/2008 12:39 AM

There isn’t just one book. The Bible, of course. Yet, my first Nancy Drew "The Hidden Staircase" opened my eyes to the miracle of story writing. At 16, I wept over "Gone With The Wind" and did an oral presentation of the story to my Forensic (Debating) Club and had most of the girls weeping too. At 17, I read Ayn Rand’s "The Fountainhead" and then "Atlas Shrugged". Took me almost 10 years to recover when I finally realized that Ms. Rand really meant it when she said that to believe in her theory of Objectivism, one must first put aside God and charity.

In my first year of college I read what I consider one of the greatest books every penned, "The Great Gatsby" by Fitzgerald. Yes, that novel provided a young girl who not long before lost her father to an early death with the will to realize that not all dreams die when tragedy strikes… to gain comfort by thinking of the green light at the end of the dock. And, finally, but, back in high school, Shakespeare’s "Taming of the Shrew" taught me about wry humor, and the joys of falling in love. I might add that I learned feminism from my dear Mother.

————————————————

Comment to the Conversation on May 5

phyllis Doyle Pepe - 5/6/2008 5:54 PM

Well––––I just finished dinner and this read is like a powerful after-dinner mint with a brandy chaser. I found myself agreeing with Mary, but after reading Marlo’s experience with MR.BIG, and certainly understanding her take on political correctness I find myself in the middle of a muddle. And perhaps that’s where we can draw the line––––in the middle––finding the balance. For instance, I have a friend that’s from Antigua and it drives her nuts when she’s labeled an African American. I, too, like the word “Black”–-it’s a good strong word. We do have to take care of other’s feelings, but I sometimes think we go overboard. As far as SOME men being insensitive: I sometimes think it’s up to us to educate them. Lord knows, they have come a long way from treating us like cattle and not letting us vote. It’s a shame that Marlo was as nice as she is because her retort should have been, “You have GOT to be kidding?” And this, I am quite sure is as politically correct as you can get.

————————————————

Comment to the Conversation on May 5

Lorraine Bates - 5/7/2008 12:43 PM

Being called a broad by Bogie would have been a high compliment! Broad means something - a broad doesn’t take sh*t from the boy’s club - she’s her own woman, no apologies.
Viva la broad!

————————————————

Comment to Mary Wells’s Post on May 8

Maurine H - 5/8/2008 12:04 PM

Mary, what a loving tribute to your mother and your relationship with her. Isn’t it a mysterious and wonderful thing that we can have conversations and appearances that transcend the physical? My mother’s presence is still very much with me and I’ve had her whisper in my ear or, like you, appear at the foot of my bed - just a little, just for a minute, but there, nevertheless. Sometimes I carry the memory of her scent, her smile, one of her hundreds of expressions, or her laughter around with me for a whole day- like a fresh handkerchief in my pocket. Happy Mother’s Day to you -and to your mother- she knows where you are. All our Moms do.

————————————————

Comment to wOw’s Views on the News on May 7

Mugsy Peabody - 5/7/2008 1:42 PM

In all times and in all places, the normal curve rules. In the US we have everything from brilliant political thinkers to people my cat wouldn’t bother to talk to. There were wonderful, honest people in the race. John Edwards for one. No one in their right mind would think Russ Feingold could run for office and win because he is so honest. Molly Ivins always told the truth, and her friend worried constantly that someone would assassinate her. Governor Richards was defeated by one of the biggest liars that ever walked into the Oval Office. So exactly what is this poll about. Shall we rephase the question? Everyone raise their hands who believes that there is something so wrong with our political system and those who manipulate it with dumbed-down polls and advertising and milions upon millions of lobbyist/corporate dollars to the point where being honest and straightforward with the American public is (a) impossible and (b) not rewarded. Now, let’s add the pressure of having a pack of hungry wolves following you about for the better part of a year writing down or recording every single thing you say and throwing away everything except what might make a headline, and everyone now raise your hands to indicate those who actually think they would run for dog-catcher under these circumstances.

————————————————

Comment to wOw’s Views on the News on May 7

beth willis - 5/7/2008 6:44 PM

Some Americans are more comfortable with Reality TV; thus, they expect the same from the “news” or the political process. I say each candidate print a bibliography of their works, their recommended reading which influences them. the names of their projected cabinet members, position papers on major issues, their favorite movies….no, no, no not that last one. Then for the next two months they go into hiding..Cheney can suggest some places. During that two months each will appear separately once a week on radio to embellish…no, no, no, not that last one, CLARIFY their positions. Of course, the rest of us are poring over the bibliographies, oh yeah, no news coverage of the candidates for two months.THEN, one two hour debate, on radio, go to polls next day and vote. This is just to select the Democratic nominee.
I know you’re going to label this scenario impossible, contrived, unAmerican. Look what we have now? Too many freaks, not enough circuses. Never Mind.

————————————————

Comment to the Conversation on May 5

Emcye - 5/6/2008 6:30 PM

Years ago, I pulled Chuck D (Public Enemy) aside at a symposium on Violence in Media in LA. It was Arianna, Jack Valenti, Michael Bays and Chuck - all on the dais talking ‘woe is me!’ about the state of our culture, and he was cursing away the entire time; in a discussion about creating a better world for our children. So later, I asked him if he would be ‘using that language’ if his kids were present. He said, Honestly, No. We agreed: Curse words are like limousines. They should only be ridden to special occasions. You don’t hop in a limo every time you go to the 7-11. (Chuck preferred Town Cars, anyway.)
Of course, my teenage son thought this conversation was the funniest thing he’d heard in his life, in a most mortifying kind of way.
If it’s not one thing, it’s your Mother.

————————————————

Comment to wOw’s Views on the News on May 7

Lorraine Bates - 5/7/2008 1:34 PM

Whatever. Puppets who live in glass puppet shows probably shouldn’t throw stones. Or, for the more Biblically (sp?) inclined, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
If you’ve never told a lie to get ahead, get out of something, or get what you want….you’re a liar.