In answer to mary lou & Elizabeth Flyn, First, I do think most of us “Dems” have sorted ourselves out, since the last voter had their say, and based upon the real issues for our era. It’s a matter of which way we want our country to go, and that we Dems can agree on! As to the issue that Obama “had to resign his membership in his church” being draconian? Well, first his pastor blames the US gov’t (for which he’s attempting to be the head) for “starting the Aids epidemic” & a few other sordid allegations. To then have a visiting Priest (who in my opinion is an disgrace to my Catholic faith) make a mockery of the other candidate Hillary, I’d “have to” leave to! It isn’t that he “had to” - but Obama must have had had enough of the intolerance and bias of the preaching there. Now, Elizabeth, on the DMC the voters in FL & MI, I can’t blame the DMC, I blame the states! The DMC had to do something when these states “decided” to up the anti - and push their dates ahead, after the dates had already been settled upon. Look how the last few drew our attention! What was the purpose of their wanting to vote earlier? Then again, personally I’d rather toss all states in a hat, pull 2 - 4 for the first date, then pull another few each - 2 weeks later for the duration of the campaign. With this kind of lottery system, candidates might have time to visit every state, ignoring none during the process. Now THAT would be democracy in action. By the by, America isn’t a true “Democracy”, but rather a “Democratic Republic.” But then who here thinks the political powers that be make good use of common sense?

WoW, you’d better make sure you’re done before clicking on Submit - didn’t get very far, when I decided to stop it & add this: Please, let me know quick before I type in another comment! milli grazzi, danka, gracias, merci, kiitos, bedankt, tak, tack, takk, ありがとうございます, And thank you one and all!

Ladies, We are blessed! by each other and by those “grand dames” who started this site, where we can “mouth off” on any topic we wish to! To disagree and agree to disagree is a boon! I don’t usually get on line so often, but when I can, I love reading the questions posed and especially enjoy all of the comments! But, I have one piercing question for these ladies: Lily Of The Valley, Peg O my heart, Mugsy Peabody, Maurine H, Liza D, C A Rose, phyllis Doyle Pepe, Linda Clark. How EvEr did you get to include those grand photo’s and artsy tags next to your name? Is it from your email addy? And do I have to use another email to put my “face” on here???

Ah, dear Bonnie, your quote … “She was a world leader by very definition and by her leadership the UK also remained a player upon the international stage. You might not have agreed with her politically but her status as one of the most influential and powerful females leaders of the 20th century is undeniable.” … can be said more so of Eleanor Roosevelt! Here was a woman who worked tirelessly for most of her life, on women’s & men’s rights, ergo, Human rights in the USA and Internationally, without having the prestigious title as a “leader” of a country. As to “As was President Reagan, I might also add.” Yes, I admit it - I do disagree with those in leadership positions who make it harder for families to make ends meet, to hold on to their family farms, to save, to be well educated, in essence, to be at the mercy of the powerful! BUT, that is not why I disagree with M Thatcher as the “greatest woman leader’! She held the power of the highest position in the UK. Eleanor had a global influence in a time when women were expected to stay at home, and she did so even though she held NO public office. The same could be said of those whom other’s here have mentioned, like Mother Theresa, R Parks, G Steinem, S B Anthony, etc. Then, how about H B Stowe, E C Stanton, M Mead, D Day, M M Bethune, C Barton, M Cassatt, and all those mentioned here that we “Americans” have never heard of! The big difference between Ms Thatcher & the women mentioned throughout these comments is, they have done more good for others and changed our thinking and behaviors, than simply “influence” a trend in politics!

Sorry - it’s greed. No one “NEEDS” that kind of cash to live well! She was embarrassed, cheated on, lied to - but … not to that extent. Depends on how long they were “married” and if there’s that much left in the till? Does he have that much to give her, and survive? And then, how much of it do her lawyers get? Our legal system stinks.

Undoubtedly, my two would be Golda Meir, one amazing leader! And, like Ann B - Eleanor Roosevelt - before, during and after being the “little lady of the White house! Wasn’t it she, who showed hubby FDR, the realities of life? Not to mention that she continually gave him “advice” about what he needed to do, and he did? Then there’s how she gave up membership in the DAR for their treatment of Marion Anderson. And again, FDR listened! But her work in the UN, especially her leadership on the human rights resolution made the greatest mark - GLOBALLY! Jackie Kennedy also made her mark, but even more so after leaving the White house. Thatcher only made her mark in England and on Ronald Reagan! By the by, why does the strongest woman leader of the twentieth century have to be a “head of state” or attached to one any ole who?

Kathleen - see you all the time on Bill Moyers, you’re Mavelous! I’d like to ask you if I heard correctly, that in some of those states - voters went to the polls during the day and then were able to go to a caucus in the evening? That just doesn’t seem right, that some got to “vote twice”? Another item that I find appalling, that some states don’t have a provision preventing a registered voter - of one party - from casting their primary vote in the other party. NJ stopped that long ago, when GOPs & DEMs went out in droves, to vote the worst of the other party in, thereby securing that their candidate would get in! As to sexism & racism, realistically, we’ve set in place laws against them that can give them teeth, but only when the heart recognizes either as wrong, will they be truly be abolished. Sadly these are here to stay, at least in our life times! There will always be some voting for or against a candidate because of their gender, race, religion, etc. If someone has a prejudice, they’ll use it more so in the balloting box than anywhere else. Just take a look at the last 2 Presidential elections - ultra conservatives came out most when there was a controversial referendum on the ballot!!! Personally, I’m a HILLARY fan - have been since her “stay at home and bake cookies” episode! AND I WAS a “stay at home and baked cookies gal! I’m for her, cause she has a backbone, fights for what she believes in (as proved by her forgiving Bill’s indiscretions), and has no problem saying exactly what she thinks about an issue! In fact, given that women have run countries all over the globe, and in my opinion have done a superb job, I think America DESERVES to have a woman at the top! Maybe we’ll turn the needs of this country around to be more inclusive! Those who’ve held power all these years haven’t done so well! NOW - About Hillary’s “Gas Tax” - I LOVE IT - listen to her statement again - it is NOT Fraudulent - She’s NOT saying just dip into the deficit to pay it, she’s saying: “LET THE OIL COMPANIES PAY THE TAX” ! And to that I say HURRAH, at last!!! WHY shouldn’t the oil companies pay up? Look at the huge profits they made, even after their claims of losses after Katrina!!! All I’ll say about Obama is, he’d only been in DC for 2 years when he decided to run - that’s scary! Still, IF he does win the nomination, I’d vote for him, but I’d keep an watchful eye. He speaks well, but he’s vague. I most certainly don’t want Mc Cain to continue the economic & global disaster we find ourselves in now. Our taxes are outrageous - because of the give away’s to the few who don’t want to pay their fare share. I see too many “working poor” in our Church food pantry lines as it is. We also have many who were “downsized - and /or outsized” from their long held jobs. None of these folks want to wait in a line for basics like food - but those who are making National policies to favor their cronies, and the “Big Boys” give them no other choice.

Thanks Lilly, most of the shows you mentioned (those not on cable), were my favs too! I was more angry than sad when Murphy was ousted! The one show with a smart n sassy woman at the time! But another, MASH was also brilliant, writing, acting, characterization, etc., etc., etc. - as was (*#+! - hate it when I can’t remember a name) - OH - it was Cagney & Lacy, superb with 2 smart n sassy ladies! Still do love Tine Daly - you too Ms T. ‘T would be nice if these so called “reality” shows would fall off the face of the earth, though. They’re too cheap to make, which probably means they’re here to stay … phony vs brains wins every time on TV these days … Drats!

Eliza S, sounds like you’re up in the Winter Wonderland of ALASKA? Been there done that, for almost 7 years of freezing, plugging in the car, scraping ICE off windshields, chains on tires, mouton boots - parkas & gloves from mid October to end of April. Beautiful, but like it better here on the shore, with only 4 - 5 months of Winter!

Last 10 years? Not much I need to live WITH! Like M. F D., Mary Lou, & Bonnie, I don’t need much & can’t afford it anyway. Just give me the simple life - too many gadgets make us “co-dependant” on StuFF. Cell phones would bug me when I want PeacE & QuieT - Music I prefer my old LPs, Tapes & CDs - Blackberry - what’s that for? - GPS would distract me from the actual road & I do better on my own! My Pop was a Civil Engineer & taught me to read maps well & I navigated us through 11 + years in the Military - so long as the “driver” followed my instructions, we didn’t wind up on top of a very steep mountain, or red wood forrest! I even wish I still had my old - manual typewriter! But I do like my computer, have had one since 1994. (Spell check is a great boon & cut n paste is smooth!) & the internet is AOK - still, not perfect, but what is? The only problem with these two - is - I spend more time on it than I used to: cleaning, gardening, building stuff & in my Art studio ;+{ NONE of which is good for my mental & spiritual health, not to mention my physical health (& bottom spread! ; + } Kathleen E Lo Pinto Vignolini

I’m the youngest of 4, with 2 different Dad’s. The oldest sister, my brother, & I have always gotten along very well, but not the other sister. Even our Mom said she was the “odd” one in the group, and she is. What ever we three think or say, she takes the opposite side! She’s the type who blows up without provocation. My oldest sister thinks she’s mentally unstable. I think it’s cause, she was her grandmom’s favorite, the “Princess” of her eye, till Mom divorced her father. When our Mother had a massive stroke, both sisters lost it. The oldest said “Mom’s dead.”, the other tried to hug the friction away. Only my brother & I had hope for some recovery, but he, lucky guy, was in Canada. So my husband & I took care of Mom, my brother came to help when he could, but the sisters rarely visited Mom no matter where she was. I was so upset, I went to a social worker - counselor, who gave me great advice. She asked, “Do you WANT a relationship with your sisters?” BOY did that crimp my sox! Sure I did, but I began to realize that it may not be good for me or them. Since then, the older sister had cancer and called me before surgery. We’re now back in touch, but have both broken with #2. I’ve forgiven her, but just can’t be with her. Sometimes you just have to face it, oil and water don’t mix and never will.

You got it Fernie! NO government action has been able to put out the Mafioso. It’s one reason for the influx of Italians from 1890-1920s (when we cut all Mediterranean & Easter European immigration). I’d be more shocked to find out that Berlusconi isn’t in on some of that action, whether it be the Camorra, Cosa Nostra, or Mafioso! When the Italian Government gets rid of a few hoods, they seem to multiply. Lets face it, we in the US of A make and dump more garbage than any country, anywhere. EVERYTHING we buy is disposable, discardable, and dispensable! I haven’t been to my “bello Napoli” yet, but it is truly sad that such a harbor (no pun intended) of culture is so dirty. Still I’d go tomorrow, if I could, more to see famiglia mio than to swim! But, I was under the impression that it was Veniza, not Napoli that has canals??? Did I miss something in Geography? We all have a big challenge - hate to say it ladies - to buy less, use less, and recycle more! Maybe our garbage pick up is better, but where does it all go? Our land fills are filling up fast, and polluting our water supply. It’s more than “going green” - it’s determining what the future will be for the next generations! My daughter’s in LA - NO recycling - whatsoever in the valley! SO, she’s decided when she has her baby in July, she’s using - cloth diapers, with biodegradable liners!!! (Don’t know where she gets it, but I love it ;+}

I voted for “other” because I agree, all of the above are top priority, but … on the other hand … Well, there are several things not listed that are equally important, like … Education, Federal and Supreme Court Judges to appoint, Corporate Lobbyist’s influence, which leads to Campaign Finance Reform, Farm Subsidies to “non-farmers,” & of course the Economy - especially the income disparity between worker to CEO, & the rising Costs of Living vs. the declining income … the list can go on and on, and on … SO, what to tackle first - I think we should tackle the Congress and Senate. Keep abreast of what they’re voting on, which “ear marks” (used to be “pork” but I guess the Corporate pig farmers balked at that) are being included, etc. These are the folks who really count in the long run. They have no term limits. They’re the ones who make the laws, decide what to & where to - spend “our money” on, & then vote for their own pay increases (as well as the Prez’s)! Because, unless the Prez has their vote on any issue, it’s dead in the pond! And they can veto a Prez’s veto! Problem is - most of us like our own legislators! And unless they embarrass us - by doing some dumb thing, we keep voting them in! I like mine - they’re good guys (no gals, unfortunately). (& no Lobbying for at least 10 years after ;+} They need to know we’re on ‘em! And won’t tolerate their nonsense! Now, I just want to address a statement made above about the military and the so called “socialized medicine, complete with doctors employed by the military.” When my husband & I were in the military - ’60s - ’70s, WE HAD Hospitals, Clinics, Doctors, Nurses, lab technicians on our bases & forts, all “employed” by the Military. IN fact, they were IN the military, or reservists! NOT SO today. When a soldier gets orders to move and can bring his / her family, they must find their own Hospitals, Clinics, Doctors, Nurses, labs, etc - in the new town. It’s called “CHAMPUS” now. Imagine, having a child with a chronic condition, a difficult pregnancy, or illness, and then having to carry your records - and wait - to get into a brand new, and unknown to you Doctor’s office? From what I see, we’re short changing our military these days. They are the worst paid, most poorly covered by health care, most moved around, and under appreciated workers in America, (save the migrant & sweatshop workers), especially our enlisted personnel! Then, imagine, the lack of military housing & the local housing that if you can get it, costs more than any of them can afford! Just had to let you know - their lives are not as good as some lead us to believe! They deserve better! SO, add better pay & care of our military to my list.

Hi, I have a suggestion for a “question of the day”. Who was your best teacher and why?” I’ve just listened to PBS Charlie Rose’s interview with Randi Weingarten, the current president of the United Federation of Teachers. She’s awesome! But the videos Charlie showed of others who think they know about teachers, teaching, and teacher’s unions made me gag. I was a teacher, albeit a substitute, for 10 years. I’ve worked in many other arenas, but never, ever, found anyone as dedicated, caring, competent, hard working, and creative as the teachers I worked for and with. For some to say otherwise is an insult to all teachers and the students who learn so much from them (despite “no child left behind”). Can anyone say “I got where I am, without any teacher? NO! Can anyone claim their teachers, even those not so good ones, didn’t affect their decisions in life? NO! Instead of blaming the teachers, and/or calling for “merit pay”, and this new-old idea to equate a student’s test scores to the teacher’s abilities, we should be taking a more serious look at the other sectors that effect students’ learning. First, the school board who sets the agenda for the budget, etc. Second, the superintendents who bring in every “new thing” out there, to “improve” learning, etc. Third, the school principals who set the curriculium and disciplinary rules, etc. Fourth, the parents who are the child’s first teachers (too many who have little to offer their kids). And then, the students themselves who either learn or don’t, or can’t quickly enough and need extra help. This is often due to over crowded classrooms, thanks to the first three sectors above. Like Ms Weingarten I’d like to see it mandatory, that the education critics, every one who is running for, or is now on a school board and every proponent (esp. politicians) of merit pay, equating student test scores with teacher’s abilities, and the like - to have to teach for at least a few days! And, I’d like to see that every principal required to get back into the classroom for at least 5 days per year, and superintendents do the same before they suggest those idiotic “new and improved methods” of how to teach a subject.

JMK, Doll Lady, et al, I feel for all of you. My Mom had a massive stroke, and a beloved Uncle had Alzheimer’s. I could only take care of Mom for four short months at home before I had to put her in a good nursing home. I’m still guilt ridden, even though I had 6 kids to tend to, ages 7 to 23. While Mom was in our home, I often had to go outside, after putting her to sleep, and weep. I hated seeing this vibrant woman stuck in a chair, unable to think or talk much, incontinent, and so wanting to get into her car to go somewhere. In the early 90s, there was no way I could get a short respite. Because she was incontinent, “day stay” wouldn’t take her! The only place I could have gotten Mom in, was some God forsaken place for 2 weeks! And the cost was way out of reach. I don’t know how my Aunt took care of my Uncle for 8 years at home & worked besides! I left after seeing him, also in tears. I tried going to a local Support Group, but with my husband working long hours, and our older kids in college, who would care for Mom? I got to go only twice. Our health care is a shame and a sham! We keep hearing how other countries pay high taxes for full care, and the care they get is no good. My brother lives in Canada, says he’ll never return, in part because of the lies our government is telling us about their Health Care System (& thier other sundry lies)! Sadly in the US, hospitals are the ones loosing money - because the Insurance Companies just won’t pay up! (My husband worked for various hospitals for 28 years. They are still having to cut services and lay off personnel!) Good thing Mom had savings. But I’m sure she would have preferred her kids to get what she reaped, not the health care industry! Guess all we can do in these situations, is put one foot in front of the other, and pray for the strength to do so!