Ruth M

My Comments (88 so far…)

Step into Nancy Pelosi's shoes for a moment: What should be done about Charles Rangel (D-NY)? What do you think will be done?

Pelosi can’t remove him before the bipartisan House Ethics Committee finishes its investigation. That would flout our bedrock American principle of innocence until proven guilty.

However, she can have him resign as chair of Ways and Means, and if she were a more powerful Speaker and a stronger person, she would have accomplished this already.

The Truth About Marriage, by Carin Rubenstein

A wise woman summed up this topic perfectly: "When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, it’s really simple: just don’t listen to anything they have to say; pay attention to what they do."

The Truth About Marriage, by Carin Rubenstein

Autumn, I don’t know why I read the article, but I did, and then came down here to say exactly what you’ve already said in reaction to it. Amen.

What to Do When You Get Fired, by Paula Forman

I really loved this list. Chris, your comment about relocating is so true. In my field, the health field, there are high-paying, secure jobs in rural areas where people often do not want to live. We earn and save much more out here, and the minimal real property taxes and lack of state income tax are downright embarrassing. But we take the kids away on weekends, so that they can see things—we’ve been to Atlanta, Little Rock, Cleveland, & D.C. by car this year so far, and we’re going to Oxford, Miss. our next trip. That’s the key, I think, if you’re taking a nice job in a small city—to get out of town and get refreshed.

What passage or passages from a book, poem, short story or other literary work moved you so much that you've never forgotten it?

Joan, I thought of you when I read this one from Anna Quindlen: "I would be most content if my childrengrew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly ofbuilding enough bookshelves."

What passage or passages from a book, poem, short story or other literary work moved you so much that you've never forgotten it?

It’s from Bruce, in the song The Wish, a tribute to his mother Adele, and it along with many other of his "mom songs" (there are so many), inspire me on the path of being the kind of mother I want my children to have:

I remember in the morning hearing your alarm clock ring
I’d lie in bed and listen to you getting ready for work
The sound of your makeup case on the sink
And the ladies at the office, all lipstick, perfume and rustling skirts
And how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work

If pa’s eyes were windows into a world so deadly and true
You couldn’t stop me from looking but you kept me from crawling through
And if it’s a funny old world where a little boy’s wishes come true
Well I got a few in my pocket and a special one just for you

Sheila, you might also enjoy another great "mom song" by Bruce: Jesus Was An Only Son

LIZ SMITH FLASH! Strictly an Opinion on the Ling/Lee Rescue

Liz, not you too! I wrote Lindsey Graham to ask him to reconsider referring to Ling and Lee as "young ladies," which he calls them condescendingly, as if they were Jane Austen characters if need of rescuing from a garden party rather than professional American journalists working in our best tradition of shining light on dictatorship and tyranny. Let’s call them what they are—women and journalists! Love you, Liz, you, and the longevity of the career you have built, are inspirational to me.

Have you ever had cosmetic surgery?

I’d love to have my face lifted as I can see in my mom and aunts where I’m heading and even with my devotion to sitting in the shad with spf 50 on, it’s not good ;D But would I spend that money on myself for that purpose? Probably not. I might do gum grafting and tooth whitening as a periodontist recommended, though.

Mr. Wow on the Rise and fall and Rise and ... What? – of Sarah Palin

Surprise, it turns out Sarah’s outrage is newfound.

Jay Leno: "Governor Palin announced over the weekend that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is five months pregnant. Oh, boy, you thought John Edwards was in trouble before, now he’s really done it!"

Conan O’Brien: "It’s true, John McCain’s running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, has revealed that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. Palin said, ‘We should never have introduced her to John Edwards.’"

Seth Myers on SNL: "According to expense reports, Sarah Palin charged the state of Alaska over $21,000 for her children to travel with her on official business. In fairness to Gov. Palin, when she leaves them home alone they get pregnant."

Conan O’Brien: "Saturday night, Sarah Palin is going to drop the first puck at the Philadelphia Flyers’ hockey game. Then Palin will spend the rest of the game trying to keep the hockey players out of her daughter’s penalty box."

And of course, she went on SNL after bearing the outrage of this joke: "What about the husband?" asked a mock Times reporter in an SNL skit. "You know he’s doing those daughters."

Mr. Wow on the Rise and fall and Rise and ... What? – of Sarah Palin

oh, she’s going, just like she went on SNL Oct 25 after the Sept 20 incest skit and Bobby Moynihan’s memorable line: "uhh, what about the husband? You KNOW he’s doing those daughters! I mean, come on, it’s Alaska!"

It’s all about the Q Score, baby!

Mr. Wow on the Rise and fall and Rise and ... What? – of Sarah Palin

It’ll be fun when she finally goes on Letterman during sweeps.

Vacation Reads, Recommends by Roxanne J. Coady

I have never heard of any of these books, and hearing about them reminds me why I value our independent booksellers so much; I’ll take your list to the library today Roxanne.

Regrets Only, by Sheila Nevins

I had such a tough time as a kid that I never knew what I liked or wanted or was good at, only what others told me about myself, most of it wrong. I became a lawyer, wife, and mom of three, happily. But I wish I’d done the hard work of knowing myself, and caring less what others think, much sooner.

Liz Smith: Health Care Is a 'Surefire' Business

Nurse Practitioners

We can’t recruit as many as we need today for $75k—$125k/yr to come to rural communities and provide primary care

As med students continue to choose specialties over family practice, and the country seeks to extend coverage to more people who are now uninsured, we’re looking to NPs to take up the slack