The only difference between Sarah Palin and Kate Gosselin is three kids and a haircut.

From the moment she gave her GOP VP-candidate acceptance speech I knew Sarah Palin was an immature narcissist. She reeked of the desire for celebrity and she spent the campaign avoiding substantive topics (about which she knew virtually nothing) and culling adoration from her far right base. Now, Sarah, the wingnuttiest of all wingnuts, has shot herself in the foot by bailing out on the only job she has and, once again, seeking sleazy notoriety by resorting to name-calling and accusations. I watched her incoherent resignation "speech" wondering what the heck her point was, other than that she is a quitter who gets out when it’s too hot in the kitchen.There she stood in her back yard- a self-indulgent whiner, having the gall to complain about the media and bloggers when it was she who wasted most of her media coverage inventing slanderous allegations against the Democratic candidate. Sarah Palin is an insult to all women who have worked for equality and respect. I hope that she has not set the efforts of American women to hold high public office back a hundred years.

Michael Jackson epitomized all the blessings and curses that extraordinary talent can bestow. His world was run by greedy "handlers" who, from the time he was a child star, viewed him as a lucrative commodity. I always saw him as a tragic figure whose sense of self-validation was dependent on adoration from sycophants and children in a very twisted way.

I found this interview very moving, especially since Christiane Amanpour was born in Iran and is obviously deeply concerned about the future of her native country. But it is her clear insistence on speaking to the facts and not allowing biased interpretation of events to cloud her reporting that impresses me most. She is correct in criticizing the sort of reporting we see so frequently on TV now, interpretive and politically biased. This reporting seeks only to skew the facts rather than simply presenting them to the public. Amanpour has always been successful in divorcing her own opinions from her reporting assignments, and this is the reason I have respected her for years. She is a strong, intelligent, courageous reporter. She educates us. And, furthermore, she is a woman. We need more women like Christiane Amanpour covering world events.

Good advice, Frank. Zola really stinks. Have you read (a new novel) The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry?  I just finished it and found it fascinating.

Most large zoos in the U.S. state that their mission is to protect and preserve threatened or vanishing species. Unfortunately, even those good intentions seldom result in the creation of environments that duplicate an animal’s natural, in-the-wild habitat. Elephants, endangered in the wild, where hundreds are savagely slaughtered for their ivory tusks, are supposedly "saved" by being brought to zoos, even though zoos have insufficient land for elephants to roam and travel as they would naturally. The best we can offer are parks and sanctuaries where elephants have more freedom and better care than in zoos where they become "exhibits". I applaud and support Lily’s efforts on behalf of these regal, intelligent animals. Zoos are no place for them to spend their lives, confined and in physical and psychological pain. And, yes, we can all help, just as Lily’s efforts are making an impact. It takes pressure, insistence, and time to bring about changes, but letters and phone calls and showing up will make zoo administrators listen.

I  have a friend, a world traveler, who has sent dozens of postcards to those of us fortunate to be on her mailing list. Usually, I receive an incredibly beautiful, unique postcard from her whenever the mood to write strikes her, and fortunately for me, that’s often. I’ve kept every card and now have a collection I wouldn’t trade for anything - cards from remote parts of the world, one-of-a-kind, hand painted postcards, and postcards depicting the works of internationally known artists. My friend has ignited this same spirit in me, but instead of postcards, I make my own envelopes from calendars and other art prints.So far, no one has complained, not even the utility companies which receive their payments in decorated envelopes.

Actually, Serena, this time I think it was my fault. I have problems with the comments box occasionally, and when I hit the preview button the post was there. When I submitted it, it looked as if it were there, but the next time I checked it had disappeared. I think it was a glitch. There wasn’t a single controversial word in my post, honestly!

Yesterday, I posted here and today my post has vanished! Ah, the world of high tech. So, the short version of my post is that generally I prefer novels to short stories for the very selfish reason that, if the writing of a particular author resonates with me, I don’t want it to end. However, (and there’s always a "however"), I still enjoy the short stories of Hemingway, Steinbeck, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and most of the others mentioned here - especially Shirley Jackson’s "The Lottery" (thank you, Mugsy). The greats - Flannery O’Conner, Grace Paley, and Guy de Maupassant, mentioned by Jane, are also high on my list. A book travels with me wherever I go (even to the supermarket) and sometimes I have two. I listen to books on CD in my car - often sitting out in the driveway to listed to the end of a chapter. So, thanks for the list of short stories here, everyone - more treats for the eyes and ears.

Beth - Well said. I think your reporter friend is right on the mark.

Don’t you understand that the minute the U.S. exercises any military force on N. Korea, those two young women would be killed? Sometimes the lack of logic voiced by the heavy-handed far right absolutely baffles me. The only way the women will ever be released is by hard work through diplomatic channels. N. Korea obviously sentenced them because they want a trade, not a war, and fankly, that makes perfect sense given the mindset of the N.Korean government. A military option is out.

"communicate rationally"

For so many years I have been waiting for a President who would represent this country in a way that would make Americans proud. It has been a long and often anguished wait. Today I saw and heard the leadership I’ve hoped for in President Obama. His speech to the Muslim world was nothing short of brilliant - not because it contained five dollar words but because he spoke frank, sometimes difficult truths and simultaneously opened a dialogue that has been cut short for the past eight years. Inclusiveness and respect will solve more international problems and create more common ground than all the threats and wars and high-tech weaponry any country makes. I salute our President for his keen ability to advance the critical thesis that we must all learn to communicate ratinally in order to co-exist in global peace.

I agree, Patricia. Furthermore, I think that we women should be celebrating Judge Sotomayor’s impressive personal history. She is a role model for millions of young women who have aspirations to become doctors, educators, lawyers, politicians, diplomats, writers and other professionals - regardless of their economic or racial or ethnic status. Once all the dust is settled and Judge Sotomayor is seated on the Supreme Court, her story will light the way for so many others. We should also be thanking her mother for the heroic job she did in rearing brilliant and accomplished children, and we should remember that Sonia Sotomayor worked hard to earn every degree and accolade she has received.

I’ll bet Saadam Hussein’s sons said the same thing about him. Liz Cheney might want to check on that.