Susan, That’s so true. When I look at family photos, my grandmother, mother my sisters and I…everyone looks polished. It was a lovely life…everything is so coarse today. A rush to the bottom, who can be the biggest Hun. “The strength, intelligence and poise she projected” she did. I admire that so my in my mother too. She has been unfailing a lady, not one moment in her life has she been other than who she is. That is an achievement. I cannot say that about myself, and that is sad. We only have one life and it is wonderful when it can be a through course. “Few women dress, speak and comport themselves that well anymore.” And when they do, and when it is authentic—-what a complete delight. I know women like that, thank god.

Margo Howard. Margo Howard. Margo Howard. How was I up on things and never hear that name, which is now music to my ears. Not only are you beautiful and a terrific writer…but a crystal clear thinker. Crass is the word for it. I cannot understand everyone applying the word beautiful to this woman. Beauty is as beauty does and this entire surreal soap opera is a distillation of her chaotic tacky life—super-sized. Can hardly stand to look at her….listen to her. Even Pamela Anderson when asked about her rolled her eyes and said, ‘She sucks, you can quote me.” That’s concise. They let her speak once and suddenly we are on the verge of war with Russia, and foreign policy insight comes from merely being “in sight of” another land. I’ll take you advice because I am making myself ugly, dwelling on ugly. And by November 4th I’ll know if I’ll be living in the U.S. Jan 20th or not. McCain wins and I’ll be joining my son in France and c’est la vie. Thanks for your truly beautiful face and wisdom.

DeB—I don’t know how seriously anyone takes Elisabeth Hasslebeck. She seems like an attractive dolt there as a set piece to decorate the stage and provide contrast for the brainy ladies. When she opens her mouth I think, ‘here we go.’

Nice interview. BJK is one savvy, steady, accomplished lady.

Belinda—If that is the kind of response you would adopt, I hope to god that no pregnant girl ever seeks your advice. It serves absolutely no purpose to make someone feel like a dirtbag when the deed is done….and helping to instill low self esteem is not going to help a girl think clearer…which is what she needs.

Bonita, “Although I was raised a Roman Catholic, I am pro-choice and feel that every situation is different and there are no rules. This decision is highly personal and cannot be legislated or goverened. To each her own.” I so agree. The situation you describe had ‘disaster in the making’ written all over it. And hopefully without more responsibility that a 15 year old is incapable of handling, she was able shake the influences of her father and make a good life.

Phyllis, I am pro women having the choice because they are the ones—rhectoric aside—that usually are most responsible for the children (although both of my brothers were incredibly involved with their sons and very loving fathers). Everything is context….in general I agree it is unwise for kids to have kids. My mother didn’t say abortion to me she said it was so early that there was a shot or something and I refused. That was the singularly best decision I ever made…there is nothing in the universe for me that can match my son.

Maurine, Very well said.

Thanks for the link. Love Paul Krugman: “I’d argue, is that the Obama campaign is wrong to suggest that a McCain-Palin administration would just be a continuation of Bush-Cheney. If the way John McCain and Sarah Palin are campaigning is any indication, it would be much, much worse.” My thought exactly thousands fold. They are outlandish liars.

That was an absolutely appalling interview….hope she keeps talking…and talking…and talking.

Rainbow Power- Being Gov of a state is very unequal: California by itself is the world’s 7th largest economy…very diverse…and with the great international city of San Francisco, world changing technology, major ports, and leads the way in numerous industries. For example. Winemaking is a 8,000 year old industry, and there are 70 wine producing nations in the world. France was the presumed leader until 1976 when upstart Napa vintners won the “Judgement of Paris” blind taste-testing in Paris and trounced the French. Since 1976 California has become the #4 wine producing nation in the world, and exports 95% of American wines, and we are no longer a beer drinking nation. America is the #1 wine drinking country in the world and with tremendous impact to our economy. Wine grapes are the #1 finished agricultural product for the US and also the Golden State. September is California Wine month. Drink some and help support the economy!! My 3 recommendations (all can be ordered from webiste, boutique artisan wines are hard to find around the country); —If you are a big dog lover, this is a historic 45 acre winery in Calistoga run by a wonderful old gentleman. He is devoted to rescue animals and started a Fo Paws Foundation. His winery dogs are all rescue, and he has a dog themed label and a percentage of sales goes to animal rescue. His grapes are so excellent that they are purchased by other wine makers of note: http://www.graeserwinery.com/ —The man who started Emeritus was the founder of Sonoma-Cutrer, the #1 chardonnay in the US when he was at the helm of his company for over 20 years. He sold it to Brown Forman for $125M and bought new land in the Russian River appelation and along the wild Sonoma coast to grow pinot noir—the most difficult grape to grow. Brice Cutrer Jones (his mothers name was Cutrer) was a USAF Academy grad, a highly decorated fighter pilot and Harvard MBA, raises a lot of money for children’s charities, and also for police/firemen and Vets and their families. A very good man. His motto is “Duty, country, honor” from his West Point father. His William Wesley estate pinot noir is in very limited supply, very well priced and had about 95 pts from Wine Spectator. The 7-minute vid is very good— http://www.emeritusvineyards.com/ And this is from a Gold Medal Napa and also Amador County winemaker. I told a friend who is a real wine lover and knows a lot about wine about their Old Vine zinfandel…and he had tears in his eyes when he drank it. Their “One Last Kiss” wine is fun for gifts and chicks weekends or bridal showers etc. This is a good wine for feminist as Scott Harvey and his wife are a real team and he names many of his wines aftr her, for instance their Cathedral cab….because he proposed at Cathedral Rock in Sedona… http://www.scottharveywines.com/html/index.htm The fastest selling wine in history is Two Buck Chuck that is only sold through Trader Joes…funny story. I wrote a piece on it if anyone interested and met his PR man (great guy) who also did PR for Robert Mondavi. http://ezinearticles.com/?Brand-Wars—-The-Princes-Of-Napa-vs-The-Pirati…

Lorna, Thank you. “I also wonder, did it happen that constuents became so narrowly focused that they could only determine how their particular niche rather than the larger nation or world is affected by political or economic climate?” Exactly. Selfish self interests or the larger good….which is more enlightened self-interest. Here is an excellent short and clever depiction of where our Federal Budget dollar’s go: The choice is pretty clear for me what I want after looking at this—simple as it is, it is startling and true: http://www.truemajority.org/oreos/

But his farewell speech was the most memorable. He personified an era, too. Wonder Bread!

Bill Clinton is Big Dawg!

I LOVE Michael Buble…my son says out of my great fondness for bubble-gum music. He is so adorable. Here he is singing ‘You’re My Everything.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPUJIbXN0WY&feature=related And “Sway” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG8giVJKQPI If that doesn’t put a smile on your face…nothing will! And some very clever person with great editing skills put it to dancing scenes from Disney films….Delightful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=404J7lNMKzE&feature=related Definitely a very Happy B-Day to Mr. Man…