Sarah Palin is the apotheosis of a person with an abundance of self-confidence and no apparent talent or reason for it. What glass ceiling could she possibly break? In fact, is there still a ceiling left? When McCain chose her, it was as if the ceiling had fallen down. I am appalled by her campaign appearances which remind me of the Nuremberg rallies. Patricia Burstein

I was glad to see Dalma Heyn featured on this site. She has a great clarity and compassion and injects sanity into discussions about relationships. What I would like to know, on the subject of infidelity, is how women’s views change as they age. More specifically, behavior that might be tolerated at one stage in life may not be later on. As a younger woman I occasionally dated married men, something I would never do again and which strikes me as stupid behavior, not because of any moral prescription, but instead not wanting to participate in a betrayal that can only harvest hurt. Recently, I was in a situation where the wife of a man whom I found attractive seemed upset at my having a conversation with him about a book. I had no intention of acting on my attraction, which appeared to be reciprocated. I wanted to tell her: “If I don’t want my own husband, then most certainly I don’t want someone else’s.” I didn’t. I just behaved.

Hillary Clinton makes me proud. After her painful loss to Obama, she did not become a collector of injustices, picking at a scab, but wiped clean her wound and emerged in all her fine and glorious promise. It has been immensely moving to see her by Obama’s side. He, in turn, confers so much respect, all deserved, on her. Her support is hugely helpful. And, her fine intelligence and wonderful sense of humor demonstrate how cynical and foolish McCain’s choice of Palin , the baton twirler, was; thinking Palin would attract Hillary supporters was an act of egregious insolence and wrongheadedness. Patricia Burstein

I highly recommend BELOW THE PARAPET, a biography of Denis Thatcher, by Carol Thatcher, their daughter, a journalist, author and thoroughly delightful and witty person. The book, published by HarperCollins, came out some years ago.

Hola, Marta: Sorry to hear this, and I do hope the situation improves. There is much to salvage about your wonderful country.

Yet again, a terrific post from Mary Wells. Buenos Aires is, indeed, a lovely, vibrant city. It has a European flair; like Paris or Rome. It is oddly, as the writer Borges explained, not one entity, but this kind of array of European culture. I did find the “portenos” a bit pretentious, but I much appreciated the 90% literacy rate there. Was in B.A. ages ago, back in the Seventies, for the return of Peron after 18 years of exile. Saw him on the balcony of the Casa Rosada exhorting the workers “Companeros,” while he and his second wife, went on shopping sprees. At the time the left-wing Montoneros were agitating, which is when crime happens. Crime there is more likely politically motivated than a random act. So, with the current currency mess, I wouldn’t worry about, as one person mentioned, violence against tourists.

Mary Wells, I agree entirely with you about Michelle Obama. She is truly stunning, intellectually and physically. Her walk says it all. To be sure she can pack a punch. Your description of Hillary’s gait, including her loveliness when she permits herself to be, is absolutely perfect and captures a period piece about women. You write with great intelligence and perception. Patricia Burstein

Harry Benson has outdone himself yet again. His tribute to RFK, in photos and text, is immensely evocative, true and moving. This is hardly surprising to anyone who has ever worked, as I had the pleasure of doing, with Harry. Beyond his genius as a photographer, he has a great gift of language. Nothing—not the smallest detail—ever eludes Harry, and I confess on more than one story I plagiarized his words. His Bobby Kennedy book is a window into the soul of Bobby Kennedy and a nation in grief. The photo of the hat where Bobby’s body had lain is so lonely, just like the woman alongside the railroad tracks. Alone with grief so ineffable. The photo of Bobby on the river in Idaho tells who he was. The text is equally poignant and revealing. From Harry’s words, I can smell the emotions in that room.

This offensive and feckless CONVERSATION—the original story, NOT the intelligent responses—reminds me of some of the yentas, in the affluent village where I grew up, calling the housekeepers “my girl.” Same tenor and genre. Bigotry is not something to lighten up or get all “fancy schmancy” about. So, after going back and forth in my mind about what I think of this site, I am “resigning” herewith from writing any more posts or even clicking on it.

Geegee: Perry—and sleep.

No so. I was taking exception to your words, independent of whom you support.

Why should the Olympic athletes be punished for the Chinese actions against the Tibetan Budhists. These young men and women have worked long and hard for their moment to compete. And that moment won’t come again for another four years, which can be a “lifetime” for athletes.

Although I am upset for the Budhists, I think we need to keep a dialogue going with the Chinese. Sports should transcend politics; like music, exemplified by Leonard Bernstein’s appearance with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra and his explanation for this. In any event, ANGRY EARTH, with its earthquakes and cyclones, may be staging the final rebellion, sadly. Another thing, Bush has us in the pockets of the Chinese so a boycott of the Olympics might trigger a financial calamity.

“The Great Debaters,” which Denzel Washington directs and acts in, is a must-see.

I would, for sure. If Obama gets the normination, as expected, I think he should appoint Hillary as Secretary of Defense. She’s extremely knowledgeable in this area, and this appointment would be a great victory for women.