SUCH is the state of our nation!

Emcye, your domain is stunning! Thank you for sharing it. Go WWF! ;-))

Above from Project Blue Whale. Purpose is admirable, and needed: “Awareness of the causes of neuro-muscular related breathing problems fosters preventive health practices, immediate support & resources. Polio.information@gmail.com” This serious problem has insidious symptoms that once they surface may lead to highly inapproriate treatment that can cause death. Breating conditions are now the 4th leading cause of death in the world; within 2 years, they’ll be #2. They do include COPD, ASTHMA - which is escalating rapidly in U.S. children. It’s our new cancer. Thanks for caring about others.

Oh my gracious, what a wonderful post. Your work was straight from your heart, or should I write, “hearts…” Caroline, I wonder how many of us who had children thought of doing just what you did, at least once in their lives? A friend of mine in Cambridge, concerned about leaving her youngest to return to work, decided to take in 1 child to be a 2nd home, and give the opportunity to parents who wanted their child to have a home away from home. Her fee was very high for that time - the late 60s. We were both very involved in ACT at the time, too, and lo and behold, a couple contacted her who were most willing to ‘share’ their little daughter during the days — for her fee. It was far from a 6 AM-6 PM venture, but a win:win all around…that child was scooped up into the family functions full-time. Lovely memories. Thank you… Isn’t it time we put the children first — “Can we afford not to begin?Joan Ganz Cooney, NYT 12/3/72).” note: I’ve kept that essay all of these years, and lo and behold …

Yay for you, too - and moi, as well. My mentors were always chosen because they were far ahead of me — a great stretch, and not in my career field necessarily. I’ve been in many mentor programs (mentoring other women), and my experiences as a mentee were templates for my advocacy efforts. I cannot imagine ever thinking any thing close to, “Your boss has to become your life work as you dedicate yourself to his point of view, the welfare of the show or project or whatever. And when you do that, everything changes for you.” My self, the right spot at the right time, was far more important to me in achieving my goals. But, I think we free-lancers are a different breed, if you will, Adelina. We have to learn to be very up front in all negotiations, and business relationships or we starve.

It’s an honor to be with women like so many of the respondents, here. Opening up and speaking out about trivial actions against anyone is important in every sector of life - and to any youngsters who over-hear ‘us.’ See Ms. Heart, it doesn’t mean anyone’s “bitter…” merely informed, and confident. IOW, I agree - please let’s stop the catty queries. It doesn’t become us, and only serves lurkers.

Oh oh, I just tossed my files from a graduate program years back - critical reviews of over 29 great writers. Enjoyed reading them, though. Better get it out of the document shredder’s loan-bin (they brought it to my home so I could start shoveling out the cave). BTW, me not bitter, merely discerning.

Ginger, have to agree with you, 100%. I’m obviously not aware of ‘current events’ via a vacuum. :-))

Giving heart.

Diana, do you really believe that politicians tell the truth? How, praytel, do you know Obama has not lied? He’s so covert, it’s nigh unto impossible to figure that man out, and I’ve done as much research on him as one person can - and I’ve tried to be open-minded because we have a lot of time before taking “sides.” I’m hoping Nader comes forward and demands more time. The networks are shamefully ignoring him, yet gave the bruiser more airtime than anyone else trying to squizzle in on this race. The system’s broken; it’s not the people, pe se, it’s the game put forth to swing this election - follow the dots to ROVE!

PS: I remember learning everything I could about natural birth to avoid taking any medications, or invasive procedures, in fact. The shocker came when I moved to the SW from Cambridge - back ‘there,’ women didn’t ‘get’ pelvic exams after the first pre-natal visit. In the SW even dentists wanted to do them!

Heavens no. I’ve had enough doctors do that to me. I’ve spent all of my life trying to live, and be healthy. This doesn’t mean I’m perfect, not by the farthest stretch of my imagination, but there’s no way I’ll harm myself, for anything, or anyone. My parents did everything they could to destroy me, too - that’s most likely the source of my determination to survive, and it’s served me incredibly well (according to my present doctors and friends).

I’m totally disenchanted with everything “news,” except NRP. Used to include foreign news outlets, but they’re sinking IMHO, too. PBS has gone “Christian” to such an extent, I’m ignoring it, now — no place for a public broadcasting. So, I’m coasting. In truth, I’m hearing the same complaints from many others close to me, and on the streets. In fact, it was the topic of a discussion among a group of urban residents I over-heard yesterday before a public presentation/event. I was surprised, really, my own limited-view, I guess - these were lower income residents, and very astute in their grasp of current affairs. In fact, they also tended to agree that Obama “isn’t ready yet - maybe in 20 years if he does something…” *Eyes wide open* One young man stated, “and just where did he come from…never really heard of him before, now he acts like a movie star or somethin.” Those of us who thought we were better informed, had startled smiles on our faces. I think there was agreement all around. I’m sick of being screeched at by TV news anchors, 2-1/2 Octaves above their normal voice, and the theatrical “news” nuts filling the airwaves. CNN has got to hatch something soon or give it back to Ted Turner. They’re wasting valuable air time on their performers, as MSNBC has already done, and gone South. Peter Jennings, I’d listen to. Bill Moyers is making far too many errors, and I adored him - I remember him at Lady Bird’s funeral referring to the family as Episcopalian. The NYT, and other cities papers I do review online, but even BBC has marginalized its reputation this past year. Sad, but that’s the lumps. The fish rots from head down - look at the White House News director. “Shutter” the thought.

AB, you did it again. I’m through sipping green tea on this website! Please, at least change your Monogram now and then, so I won’t know who you are! ;-)) Kudos, many times over. Something’s gone south in interviewing the past 20 years. First “Barbara” was slipping sadly, now its most interviewers. I’m tired.

KBH, or Condi? Then he is an ass!