Hi Victoria,

The topic of this conversation is not President Bush’s public speaking ability….or lack thereof.

Nor is the topic of what intel. was ignored or not properly analyzed.

My response is about the Speaker putting her career before her duty to our Nation.

That continues to be a problem…..for all Americans. 

Thank you Deber.  Very kind response.

For the record, I am not a member of any major political party.  I simply believe integrity and patriotism should always apply.

When Speaker Pelosi feigns outrage while denying complicity, clearly, that’s a problem. 

Hi Deburca,

I completely agree with your above point regarding the rule of law.

Clearly, torture violates U.S. and international laws.  Noone can dispute that.

 My point is about the topic of this conversation:  the Speaker is not telling the truth regarding what she knew of the interrogation methods being used.  We know she was briefed.   We  know she did not raise any objections.  We know the Nation was fearful of another attack in the months following 9/11.  Her "going along" with C.I.A. methods is understandable to me. That said, one of my many objections to Speaker Pelosi is that she continues to put power, politics, and career above duty.  As she continues to bash the former administration, she denies her part in the post-9/11 decision-making process. She is happy to publicly attack  the men and women who are not policy makers, but who had and still have the real job of trying to protect our country.  

Thus, she has no business being the Speaker of the House.  She lacks integrity  as well as wisdom.  The "topper" is her lack of skill as a public speaker….good grief!

Hi all,

It goes without saying that we Americans don’t condone torture.  It also goes without saying that valuable intell. was gained using barbaric means.  I don’t condone such practices, but do understand what was at stake at that moment in our Nation’s history.

It’s apparent that Speaker Pelosi is much more Politician than Patriot.

She does a major disservice to our C.I.A. folks in the field by bashing them, their superiors, and the former administration.  She did not have the tough job of trying to prevent another terrorist attack.  Remember, in the aftermath of 9/11, noone in Washington knew if another attack was in the immediate future.

I give a great deal of credit, thanks, and respect to our members of the intelligence services.   Their successes are rarely made public.

 The Speaker, (who is horrible at public speaking,) should step down, for the sake of our Nation.

Hey Sam,

I get that. Totally.

Sorry, I misunderstood your meaning in your original post.  I assumed, since the original topic of this thread was Sean Penn and co., that you were writing of younger men.  I follow now.

Best,

Rhonda 

Well done Sam.  

By the way, I understood fully your meaning of younger gentlemen enjoying your company at social functions.  I too have found that intellectual, witty, even pithy dinner conversation both surprises and often delights unsuspecting young male diinner companions.  I did not gather you were refering to anything flirtatious or sordid.  

That’s a great, great post Sam!

As a mother of a son who is now a young man…..I was able to offer advice about respecting, admiring, and honoring the values and virtues of the young women my son was about to encounter in his life.  Thus far, I’m happy to report he is happy and very considerate when dealing with the females in his life…..from his girlfriend, to friends, to his relatives.  Not being stupid, exploited, or exploitive is good advice for boys too.   I hope he has benefited from the mistakes I made as a rather intelligent, yet foolish young woman.

Hey Beth,

That was a cute response!  No, I’m not so young!  We were not allowed to use our newly available calculators in class….just for homework.  I never did understand how to use a sliderule….had one…I couldn’t "speak the language!"  Still have NO idea what a logarithm (sp?) is either!  I am amazed every day by my not-so-mini ipod.

Liz,

Thanks for the review and advice on "God of Carnage."  My husband and I will be back in NYC in May….to attend Andrea Marcovicci’s 6oth Birthday Concert…..hope we can catch this Broadway lovely!

God Bless you and your husband, Jeannot.  This IS the best post, by far, to date, that I’ve read on WOW.

When a man threatens to hit, does hit, or worse….get out now…and stay out for good.  No other option here.  There is never a self defense excuse for someone to hit someone….man or woman.  One can defend themselves by leaving, blocking the blow, etc.  If a man is punched by a woman….he must back down and back off.  He can then press charges should he desire. 

As for Rush….a bigot is a bigot is a bigot.  As long as politicians cowtow to him and the public listens to him, then sponsors will sponsor…..he’s a big fat problem with millions from advertisers.  Tune him out and he’s just another slob.

As for Miss Taylor and her philanthropy vs. her living in fur…..one doesn’t negate the other.  The fur industry inflicts horrific cruelty on animals and employs folks who become desensitized to suffering.  It’s a disgusting business.  Miss Taylor giving her time and money to AIDs charities does not make her a bejeweled Celebrity Ghandi.  The wearing of fur is selfish, unneccessary, and offensive to many.  How gross.