Julia,I completely agree with you. I was really disgusted by Tina Brown’s mean spirited article when I read it this week.  Elizabeth Edwards has been married for a long time to her husband. I suspect she was stunned when she heard about his infidelity and, given everything else she had and continues to have on her plate, was in no way capable of making hard and fast decisions.  The campaign was already moving forward and she probably wasn’t given the time to think things through privately — without the staff, without her daughter, Kate, and God forbid, the little ones becoming aware of the whole sordid mess.  There was also her health to consider, there was the stability she wanted for the younger children, and there was the need to come to terms with the betrayal.You are absolutely right, Hillary had her own agenda and ambition.  Monica was not the first time she was faced with humiliation — Bill has a history of bad behavior and Hillary actively managed the staff and the bimbo eruptions throughout his campaigns and administrations – because she shared Bill’s ambition.  She road into Washington on his coattails, but she viewed herself as Bill’s partner not helpmate.  When she realized she wouldn’t be received in Washington that way (security clearance denial, health care failure). She decided she’d wait for her turn. That’s not Elizabeth’s MO      I don’t think Elizabeth can be criticized for writing a book and getting on the talk show circuit.  The tabloids have had a field day with her and I think she wants to set the record straight … in her own words … not somebody else’s – for her sake, for her children’s sake.And why she stays … well, why does anybody else stay in a comparable marriage? — as she said, "it’s complicated."  Human relationships are complicated and when they include many years of intertwined lives and children, it is up to the individuals involved to sift through the details and make their own decisions and we should leave it alone. 

Elizabeth,

I am pro-choice, but personally not in favor of abortions, principally because I am uncertain when the soul actually enters the body.  I think it would be so much better if reproductive education were more thorough and widespread.  But, I think most of us would have a visceral response to the idea that someone would abort a fetus if the gender didn’t suit them. I find it interesting that the press got ahold of this story in the first place and somehow didn’t get the names of the parties involved. I also wonder, if it did happen, how it would impact this discussion.  It’s not about tarring and feathering (which I don’t think would be of value to anybody), it’s about how it suddenly would put a face on a subject that is often faceless. I don’t know if I made myself better understood. 

I think it would be very interesting to see how her community would respond if the name of the woman, who makes a decision to abort based on gender, were publicized! No doubt, it would universally impact the abortion debate.

I agree with you, Donna. Elizabeth’s given enough.

Maggie!

I so agree with you!  And as I mentioned above (and want to avoid repeating myself) so many citizens of these countries come here to meet extraordinary needs in a timely manner — which is further evidence that there isn’t a perfect system in existence.  I have wondered whether a cafeteria approach toward insurance would work — one purchases insurance according to one’s age, needs, etc. — and everyone pays a comparable price.  Currently, it is those who are employed by large corporations, who often have the best coverage at the most affordable price.

I just had a conversation with my 18 year old son, who wanted to send his grandmother an email to thank her for a gift she sent him for his birthday — I told him this was a life lesson — only a hand written note on nice stationery was appropriate and I assured him that it would be extremely well received.  He didn’t argue the point, but I think in this age of electronic communication, it is important to not forget how much more meaningful a hand-written letter is — especially when one is conveying gratitude, a sentiment, or a condolence.

Father Alberto Cutié should become an Episcopalian!

I have always thought Weight Watchers was the best program because it addresses real life — and that includes preparing meals, as well as eating out at restaurants and/or dinner parties.  

Poor Kirstie Alley has gained a great deal of her weight back since she went off Jenny Craig because, I assume, she didn’t know how to manage herself once she was no longer eating pre-packaged meals. 

Weight Watchers essentially provides you with a certain number of points to spend on a daily and/or weekly basis. It provides structure, teaches you how to budget, and helps you decide when and how to indulge in a cocktail, a rich calorie laden meal, or a dessert … because calories are very similar to credit — it’s only the very few who don’t get into trouble if they’re provided with an unlimited amount. 

How did you stand on the lawn in your Manolos without sinking?  That has always been a dilemma for me! I’ll be attending my cousin’s garden wedding in California in a few weeks and am trying to decide what shoes would be best!

The great quandary, however, is how to cover day to day medical needs at an affordable rate and still have extraordinary needs met without delay. I live in New York and have quite often run into Canadians and citizens of other countries with a form of universal health care, who are seeking medical attention for their exceptional or dire health concern that needs immediate or extraordinary treatment.  When I’ve spoken with them, they have lamented either the waiting period required before receiving treatment or simply the lack thereof, which has driven them to seek it in this country.  Clearly, these individuals, if they haven’t been sponsored by someone or an organization, are among the affluent in their own countries.

I think Elizabeth stayed with John because of her cancer and the children, and is rationalizing the situation by blaming the other woman. 

Sue,

She remarked that women should have more respect for each other, but she absolutely held her husband accountable for his actions.  Despite the humiliation, they have spent a lifetime together and have 2 small children.  I also think she is terribly vulnerable right now — she doesn’t feel well and she doesn’t want to face the future alone nor does she want her children to have to deal with a divorce as well as thepossibility of losing their mother in the near future.  She is not the first woman who has put aside her personal feelings for the overall good of the family.  With regard to the book, however, I think she was tired of the tabloids and just wanted to set the record straight.  I can’t blame her for wanting to do that.  Now, the 28,000 sq. ft. structure that houses 4 full time residents is something I am having trouble with — what’s in it?

Cheryl,

I agree with you.  I don’t blame her for writing this book — this story has also been all over the tabloids and she decided to set the record straight — for herself and her chidren’s sake.  The "other woman"  will no doubt also have her say, but Elizabeth has made it clear that she is not going to allow her to be relevant to her life.

Sue,

I agree with you.  She was only told about the affair after the campaign had been kicked off. She has had to endure so much already what with her health and the fact that she has two very young children.  She is right to resent the "other woman" and to believe that women should have more respect for each other, but she did say that she was not going to allow the other woman to impact her life. And she most certainly does not excuse her husband.  Liz,  yesterday on Oprah she said that she held him responsible for doing this to her and to their marriage.

Georgia,

Has your daughter always spoken so openly with you?

do you want to be popular because you"put out".   Trust me that reputaion will live with you forever after school…is that how you want to be rememebered??? 

I have a friend, who while she was having a heart to heart with her 16 year old daughter added, "Don’t ever forget you also don’t want to return to your 20th reunion and be remembered as the ‘blow job queen’"  My friend said she believes she made a lasting impression because her daughter almost fell out of her chair when she heard her mother say that! Sometimes you just need to "talk turkey" with kids.