Last week Whoopi I posted a video clip on my blog http://midlifesatrip.com to celebrate Barack Obama’s election. It’s one of my favorite celebration songs — “Oh Happy Day” with you leading the choir in Sister Act 2. So it seems only appropriate to wish you a rocking and rolling Oh Happy Day on this special occasion along with many more days of laughter, good health, progress and peace. Happy Birthday, Whoopi! — Karen Batchelor

I remember seeing a movie once where the heroine was going through a divorce. At a therapy session, her counselor said something that’s stuck with me for years: “A man in your life is like icing on the cake — not the cake.” I always took that to mean that you stand a much better chance of having a great relationship with a man if you show up as an authentic, whole and fulfilled person — just on your own. So Patty, I agree with you that the “pleasing” in a relationship should be a 2-way street. — Karen Batchelor Visit me at http://midlifesatrip.com

A couple of years ago I met Barack Obama at a business reception. I had a copy of his memoirs and took it with me on the outside chance that he’d autograph it. Graciously he did. I’m not typically an autograph hound but something just told me to ask for his. — Karen Visit me at Midlife’s A Trip.com and at BlogHer.com where I’m the contributing editor on midlife issues.

I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned Maggie Crane in any of your articles on the highlights of gray hair at midlife. Maggie is author of the new book “Amazing Grays” where she talks not only about going gray but feeling beautiful at this age”. For more on Maggie and to buy the book, visit http://www.maggiecrane.com . — Karen from Midlife’s A Trip at http://midlifesatrip.com

You bet! When I was young, my definition of beauty was looking like the girls who the guys thought were pretty. Then my view of beauty was based on the women I saw in magazines who supposedly were “beautiful” because they were on the newstand. Now my definition of beauty isn’t about being pretty but about being authentic. I love my smile, the laugh lines, the short hair which of course are nothing until combined with my true self-image that has emerged from where it was hidden under my perceptions of what beauty was supposed to me. Now at 56 years old, I know what beauty looks like. It looks like me.

The 3 dumbest things I’ve spent money on are 1) yarn for my most recent knitting project that is now sitting with the yarn from the other projects I haven’t started 2) a Flip video camera on sale—such a deal and maybe not so dumb in the long run and 3) that incredible eye cream with caffeine in it—-like Starbucks for the face.

I can’t vote the poll because both choices are flawed. At this point, I wouldn’t vote for Clinton. But if she comes out of the convention as the candidate, she gets my vote and her VP gets my pity because he or she is just a placeholder for Bill as de facto VP. Which is why Obama would never want the job. Just for the record, Obama’s my candidate and I can’t imagine Clinton’s ego would let her take second seat to him. With that said, Richardson might be a good VP to Obama’s president.

Frankly, the issue of race and racism is always center stage. Like the elephant in the room, we ignore it, glance at it, whisper about it, condemn it and snicker at it but it stays in the room. Similarly with racism, there’s always an underground dialog going on in our respective communities but no one has ever elevated it to a nationwide dialog. Until now. Unless we start talking about race and class—-the other elephant in the room, these issues won’t go away. They’ll just sit there and give off toxic fumes like they have for years. So I get why you didn’t write your own piece here, Whoopi. Instead, taking the lead from Senator Obama, you’re starting the dialog here on Wowowow. Hope the readers here get the point and don’t view this as a nice one-time conversation.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. My 88 year old mom has severe dementia—vascular and Alzheimer’s. It’s so difficult to watch this once accomplished, poised and beautiful woman now pack her clothes everyday thinking she’s switching “dorm” rooms. Sometimes after our visits, I sit in my car and cry and other times I blog about “Mom, Dementia and Me” as a way to come to terms with the loss of my mother—-a little bit each day. So as the recent scandals and politics swirl around us, thanks for bringing us back to what’s really important. I’m wishing you many sweet memories of your aunt.

Wow o wow! I thought a lie was just a lie. Guess I’m really behind the times although make no mistake, I do see behind the smokescreens. But all this talk about lying, spinning and blanding puts me in mind of that old quote by whomever that “there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” Do lies come in threes like bad luck?

I also know a really great person who works at Bear Stearns. As this whole mess unfolds, I’ve been thinking about her. So today I let her know that I’m thinking about how this is “personal” for her and not just some interesting headline about a failing financial giant. And quite frankly if my tax dollars help her in some small way, so be it. I’d rather have them spent on this than continue to be wasted by ridiculous politicians on an absurd war in Iraq.

To me, spirits are ghosts or other things metaphysical. While too much hard liquor might have you thinking you’re seeing “spirits”, I’d call such a beverage “alcohol” or better yet “martini”.

Even in fiction it’s hard for women to take a great compliment. What is it about us sometimes!? Well, sounds like there could be an opportunity for more dialog with Room #552 if “she” forgets that age is but a number.

When I hit menopause, my sleep patterns went on the fritz. Once a morning person, I’m now a night person too. Midlife is this amazingly creative time for me but the new ideas running through my brain are keeping me from getting the 7-8 hours of sleep I know I need. So count me in for Sunday’s show and thanks for your focus on this issue.

Could it be that Spitzer just has a predilection for prostitutes, Dr. Laura? It’s not like this was one incident—it was a pattern, a practice of him not just going outside his marriage for sex but of him wanting sex acts for money. I just don’t see how that’s Silda’s fault. But I bet why he did it is the question that’s on her mind 24/7. Do you really ever want to hear the answer? What an ugly Q&A.