Renata, “Allie: We aren’t choosing PROM QUEEN. ” This is disrespectful and injurious to your cause. Forgive me for my firmness in asserting my next point. This type of retort to me is reminiscent of what you have outlined about Hillary’s persona as opposed to the gentleman like decorum you have alluded to of Barack Obama. Please pick a lane in what you wish to emulate. *Allie- Your comments are valued and appreciated.

French Heart, At least on a personal level I agree with your point about HRC and her vote for the Iraq War. This was a turning point for me. I will own that perhaps I put more responsibility on her shoulders re:that decision because she is female. It is well documented that a female strength is the ability to abstract (forward think) better than most males. It gave her an edge in thinking this war through. It’s a function of our brain wiring. If she had stepped out in courage and cast her vote against that war I would put aside other concerns I have with her and I would have backed her “big.” She cemented my take on her in a failure to adequately offer an “oops…blew that one,” retrospectively. Instead she did that deplorable weasling “blah, blah, blah” that was (if you listened closely) a refusal to self evaluate and cop to her error. At least that’s how I heard it. It was in this way she took yet another step away from “the sisterhood” and moved into alignment with the ways of the brotherhood. The whole idea of having a woman in office is to try an approach that doesn’t mimic the boys in the club that have created some pretty awful messes. I have been given strong feedback that in order for a woman to even bring herself as far as Hillary has, this is a necessary part of the dance. I disagree. If that’s naive on my part, I apologize. I’d need some convincing though. To me there is no point having a different gender in office that hedges on accountability. Been there, done that with our current President. I so hoped she would be different and would have copped to her “stuff” as I don’t see that as a weakness but rather a strength. I am going to get dark glasses on now as I anticipate a potential blast via my monitor returning on what I’ve said by some on this site. :)

My favorite job first and foremost has been motherhood hands down. I was somewhat of a “girly-girl” and have had the blessing of four sons to develop my “other side.” Complete with worms, gross jokes, rivalries of the wolf pack mentality to settle between them, etc. Raising them is a complete joy. Not easy but the rewards are immense and never ending. The kids helped me to discover my “mother lioness” within. Though I’m generally a peacemaker, there have been issues that have arisen that have required me to find my voice and stand strong on their behalf. I’m better for the stretch. They make me laugh at least once a day. It is a sheer privilege to be their tour guide on this planet .I never grieve the end of one phase of their childhood as the next moves in because each is one is amazing with new gifts. I see being a parent as always being on orientation because though they have their similarities, each child at the same time is so unique that the parenting needs a little customizing for each one. With them, everyday is a gift. The “non- mommy” side of me has enjoyed a career as an RN. My two favorite settings have been a respiratory care unit— an intense place to work but my colleagues were top notch and added humor to a job that was not that funny at times. Moral was high which seemed to translate to patient outcomes as I believe it does. Then a position on a mental health inpatient unit gave me lessons for a life-time and the fantastic staff I worked with I miss to this day.

Renata, I have enjoyed reading your point of view on this and other threads. You are obviously bright, intelligent and passionate. I would like to ask you to consider three things. 1. There is a line in a song (I think it might be a Crosby Stills and Nash song) that says “You’re screaming so loud…no one can hear you.” Sometimes a point made with power is best left alone and perhaps gently repeated in brief. The risk otherwise, is saturating the audience to which you speak and consequently tripping off their “shutdown” button which renders you and your attempt to give them an alternative perspective completely useless. 2. You are obviously a great fan of Obama and have outlined his merits comprehensively. If he is all you contend him to be, have confidence that he can demonstrate this to the public over time and secure the supporters he needs to based on his strengths. Those that are reachable will be reached. Those that do not share your perspectives won’t be. You can capitalize until the cows come home…people will and should make up their own minds. Capitalizing btw, is “yelling” in cyber speak. Why does an articulate, educated individual need to yell at those she addresses? It is my belief that you may be working against yourself with your font choice. Lastly, narcissists crave attention and adulation. Negative or positive ;it’s all the same. If you truly believe that HRC has this personality style,it would behoove you to put forth the positive attributes on your chosen candidate and de-focus on her. There is a natural instinct in people that psychologically if they see someone getting bashed badly enough…it will arouse empathy as a result of the bashing. Then the attention goes to “poor Hillary” and away from the strengths of Obama. I think it’s the “under-dog” syndrome. So I ask respectfully, before you respond to me (hopefully in lower case letters), that you at least contemplate these thoughts as I have contemplated each and every one that I have read of yours. Namaste. p.s. For some unknown reason, this post at least in preview is dating itself 12/31/69. Perhaps it will self correct when I submit. Otherwise, it will be as though I’m speaking to you from the past. Find that funny.

Carol…that was intensely funny

Dear No meaner mom, Your opinions are welcomed and valued. Popular or not. I happen to agree with you immensely on some points. Most especially the last line of your post. Thank you for putting it out there.

I saw her interviewed on the Colbert Report where I get my laughter for the day when I can. Impressive lady…definitely will get the book. I was so taken by how intelligent she was yet so down to earth in the interview. Great combination for an author. I will hopefully read her soon.

Actually, in terms of her candidacy for the presidency, I consider her by her own merits or lack thereof with ease. He doesn’t really come into play. Guess that’s a compliment to her in a way. I totally think he’s irrelevant to the decision for me and there is so much to consider about her ethics, beliefs, stands on the various issues, I have no room to muse on their personal lives or his behavior. Separate issue…

I applaud Ashley and so look forward to finding out what she discovers and learns.

Lena…I could have won beau coup bucks on a bet on your astrological sign. There is a depth and aura about you in your writing that screams “Scorpio.” I am one as well. The sign gets a bad rap at times (“can be stinging, etc.”) but as with all signs there is a capacity to work its aspects in the positive or the negative. A Scorpio in the positive goes beyond the surface and enjoys to hang out in “the ethers” for perspectives. One working the sign in the negative can be a force to be reckoned with, it is true. Have known both. I aspire to be the former. :)

And flip the bird at the societal pressures that loom with their “not good enough” messages regarding aging. I have a strong distaste for this youth obsessed culture we live in. There are cultures that don’t even take an individual seriously until his/her face is etched with time because it symbolizes wisdom and experience which is revered as sacred. It reminds me of an old Twilight Zone episode where the girl is in a hospital bed with her face all bandaged up. She asks the doctor when the dressing will be removed. You never see the faces, just the hands of the physicians and the nurses. The end line of the show is that her bandages are removed revealing a simply gorgeous face while the camera pans to her caregivers whom are grotesque looking with big pig-like snouts. She shrieks in horror because the surgery wasn’t successful! Where is an honoring of humanity for it’s unique and diverse beauty in that? Bleh…plastic surgery is another corporate greed filled possibly misogynistic scam. But I don’t have strong feelings on it…tee-hee

Happy Birthday!!!

Sending light and good intention for an excellent outcome, James. Keep us posted.

Your kids are lucky to have you. That is great “mommy-ing.” What a gift for them to carry into their future. I had a magnet on my fridge for years that said “Question Authority” and underneath in parentheses it said “respectfully.” This is so important for our kids to do, I think. Especially now.

When is the anticipated date he will be home? I would like to visualize that moment and put positive intention around his safe return and that first hug for his mama…