I totally agree with you. I read Obama’s book as soon as it was published and long before he ran for the presidency, and I told my children that he is the man of the future. And, he’s a guy I recognize, because he resembles the younger generation of internationally minded people at ease with themselves and the world—and he would be an asset in our foreign policies, as well as representing all of us who feel our country is diverse and complex. I’m 78 and voted in my first primary to support Obama. As for moaning and groaning about Hillary’s loss, indeed, it was not sexism but very poor management skills in running an awful campaign—bsaed on egotism and grand expectations (which Bill ranted about) Two Clintons in the White House would be awful. WOULD ANYONE WANT A PRESIDENT WHO CAN’t MANAGE THE OFFICE? CRAZY! We’ve already had a pampered son creating the largest deficit, destroying our foreign policy, and alienating most of the world. Sexism, my foot! She lost; it’s time to move on and vote for Obama. And, don’t use the minor tidbits to criticize him; we’ve got more important issues to cope with, and McCain is not the guy to manage the government. Another fool heading a mismanaged campaign, and leaving the country for a good will visit while the fires are burning.

But McCain is not one of them. He’s not aware or has no interest in maintaining his skills or learning anything new. Has there been any evidence that he has kept a sharp mind and knows what he is talking about? Defensiveness about aging is no solution or recommendaton. I’m 78, use a computer, live an independent life, handling my finances, etc., but I see an agiing man with memory losses, slow thinking, and a terrible temper who can’t manage a campaign or make reasonable decisions. He depends on Phil Gramm’s expertise. Isn’t that a sign of of an aging brain? This is not prejudice against an aging man; it is frankness about an aging man’s incompetence! Get over it!

As a senior, I recognize the geezr’s senior moments. I don’t consider it dissing seniors when I”m reminded that my memory is not what it used to be. McCain does not remember what he said yesterday or the week before, and he is so out of touch with everything which concerns us all—-the economy, especially—that he should be put out to pasture. And the truth was told, that his wartime experience is not a prerequisite for the presidency. He’s an extension of Bush and his memory is faltering. And, his easily expressed rages are a sign of aging though the boy was a hothead most of his life. Don’t use the prejudice against us seniors as an excuse for supporting an ambitious old fool!

I totally agree! Hillary is a poor manager and has great expectations that she still runs the show. No nominee paid the loser’s bills. Both Clntons assume that they are in charge, and now there are games being played that Obama owes them something. No way! Hillary’s former followers should get over it. She got herself into the financial mess by staying too long and beginning with nothing but gaul. Obama owes the Clintons nothing, and it’s time for Hillary to return to her carpetbagger role as NYS Senator. I’m a New Yorker and Iwonder why we all owe her so much. She’s had her 15 minutes of fame and its time to retreat. I sent a letter to the NYTIimes editor about this subject, because I’m disgusted that this self-indulgent couple with all their manipulations still “rule the roost.” If they need money to pay this audacious bill, then Bill should shoot off his mouth in more lecture tours in some other country like Bosnia! It’s time for them to retreat from Washington and get on with their private lives, if they have that.

Loved the cartoon! I feel the same about 30-something gerontologists who counsel or presume to counsel seniors .Since depression is the wonder word of today, I do wonder whether these young ‘uns really comprehend what it is like to grow older in this youth obsessed society. And, do they realize the obstacles and segregation we encounter in our daily life, to say nothing about the patronizing foisted upon us? Actually, all these specialist desire is that we elders remain voiceless and invisible, go to elders’ nursery schools where we’ll putter with nonsensical hobbies, and remain out of the way of the frisky 40+ milieu and their post-adolescent friends. Anyone under 55 REALLY doesn’t know what it is about!

Frank, As a senior I recognize McCain’s senior moments, for he can’t remember what he said a week earlier, a month earlier, or years earlier. Kama Sutra, my foot! And his organizational skills are nil, so we’d be in trouble if he led the country. And, this week, he’s overseas while his organization crumbles. He’s had a long distance marriage for years, so what does that say about his prowess! Give me a break.

How abut being a trailblazer! Tell them gray is gorgeous. And do ask if they loved their Granny! A sense of humor helps us in most stressful situations. And, who cares what others think! Look in the mirror and look at yourself, not as an idealized version of who you thought you were in adolescence.

Not always! Genes, ethnic background, etc. determine who we are. Gray hair is not a disease though in some cases, it indicates a hormonal deficiency. For most, aging bring changes, such as graying hair. One can choose to be a clone and have the dye job and worry about every wrinkle and root, or one can get on to more important things. How fixated are the women who want to remain looking one age!

So what! Time marches on. Aging is NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD. What does “beyond their years” mean? Is there a standard one must look like for each decade or year! When you were 17, you were a girl; now you are a mature woman, I presume. Give yourself a break and enjoy who you are. Blonde clones are not attractive, just insecure, in my view.

Stay with au naturel! My parents had premature white hair, and I looked forward to becoming a white-haired woman. I’m not nervous about aging or looking my age, but my hair remains salt and pepper, and I’ve simplified the haircut to a helmet (hair thins as we age). I don’t seek compliments, but I get them all the time. Easy to manage, and I feel wonderful about it. Never have to worry about roots, dye, texture, or anything else——and I NEVER APOLOGIZE ABOUT MY AGE. Go for it, and enjoy your life!

Yes, indeed. On one long trip where I sat in the middle, the woman on my right and I began a conversation that never ended. Actually, though we did not know at first that we were traveling to Israel on the same study trip for the summer, we became close friends, and remained so for 20 years. Earlier on, I lived in a NY borough and she’d visit overnight or we’d meet in Manhattan where she lived, but when I retired and moved back to Manhattan, we saw each other often. We knew each other’s families, took a trip to Istanbul one year, shared much—lo and behold, desperate to have a male companion (after many unsuitable men drifted in and out of her life), she became so focused and distraught about a live in with a much younger man that it was apparent she could not maintain our long friendship without lying or “fitting me into her schedule.” As a long single woman who divorced after a 30-year marriage, I’ve discovered that some women cannot sustain friendships with women once a hero appears, so it is sad, but there is nothing one can do. I’ve often said that a friendship is likely to last longer than a romance, but for some, it is all consuming, so friends disconnect. At other times, I’ve had conversations on plane trips which I’ve enjoyed, once inviting another passenger home (I lived near JFK) to call her family because she, too, was upset after leaving a vacation playmate. Often on board, people may reveal the most personal information about themselves, and the dialogue seems intimate, but it is not; it is merely a way of killing time, overcoming anxieties about flying, or just plain boredom and loneliness.

Utter nonsense. THIS Psycholgist needs some help if she is so frightened of the word “age” because it is not a 4-letter word. How do you feel about your MOTHER, dear? How do you feel about your GRANDMOTHER? And how do you feel about yourself, I wonder. Time marches on, girls, whether you like it or not, so get OVER IT. Every wrinkle, crease, brown spot is a badge of honor that we have lived, experienced, and are human, not reconstructed mummies. How does it feel living with oneself and being afraid to look at oneself in the mirror or faking it? Do you want to look like a clone or who you are? Every slice of the doctor’s knife erases your history and your family!

Let’s not psycho babble our way into the election. Mrs. Reagan was a useless, superstitious, manipulating broad who cajoled, stomped, and wielded much power over her hunk. What do you know about Cindy except her public image? They’ve lived apart during most of their marriage, she with domestic help and children, and he remained in Washington all these years. What does she have to say? What in heaven’s name do you know about her heart or personality. Michelle is educated, has a profession, supported herself, is responsible, and certainly, the Obamas’ body language reveals lots. Depending on media to psychoanalyze is playing games.

No, Mrs. Mc Cain has people run the corporation and count her dividends while she takes her meds and stands very still whenever her general is speaking or trying to remember what to say! Daddy’s girl, all over again. As for Michelle Obama, Let her be whatever she wants to be! She’s got brains and takes the initiative. She did it on her own, now is joined by a man who will surprise us all. What an adventure for both of them. Stop using the term “black woman” as though it is a weapon. Recently, I saw a documentary on Eleanor Roosevelt, remember her! She faced the consequences of an an awful, arranged marriage, and then “did it her way.” I’m worn out by the Hillary petulance. Her former supporters have to face some important issues. Voting for Mc Cain is dangerous and deranged, and those women who have children fighting in this dreadful war should think about that. Let’s get out of Iraq, bring the troops home, balance the budget, and put Bill Clinton and John McCain out to pasture or on another planet. Mc Cain, resting on his reputation as a warrior, would prolong the war, and Bill is just coasting on a lifelong rant (retired too young and is now fundraising to pay his wife’s debts). Give us all a break from these outdated males.

Indeed, Renata, I agree with you. I’m verbose, but this time I’m cutting it short.