Lena B

Should marijuana or prostitution be legalized?

Legalize both because it doesn’t matter in terms of the demand. You will not change mindsets of those who use either product. If you create a bureaucratic process to access both products in a safe environment with strict regulation, it still won’t matter. When vices are placed under government control it creates a black market—a lucrative black market. So there’s nothing to lose or gain either way. In my opinion marijuana is no more of a gateway drug than alcohol, Oxycontin, Vicodin and most benzodiazepines. And prostitution? Someone will always be willing to pay to play— no commitment and no relationship.

Have you ever lost your child, even for a moment?

When my oldest daughter (now 20) was 4, she hid in between the clothing rack at a department store. She had never done that before and when I called for her and she didn’t answer, I thought my heart would stop. When I said her name the last time, loud and panicked enough to turn heads in the store, she surfaced. Needless to say she never did that again. We had a long talk about "stranger danger" and staying next to mommy when out in public.

My younger two children have never had a incident when they were lost from us. My youngest is now 4 and we have already had "the talk".

If you had to choose a theme song for your life, which would it be?

"Optimistic" by Sounds of Blackness. It was the song that kept me from falling.

"Don’t give up and don’t give in
Although it seems you never win
You will always pass the test
As long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win. As long as you keep your head to the sky

Be optimistic."

The Love Goddess: Are We Too Far Gone for Monogamy?

It is difficult for those with arrested development to control their impulses. I’ve seen 15 and 51 year old people struggle to maintain control over sexual urges. The 15 year old is a child in the process of self discovery and the 51 year old may not believe in monogamy. We expect a mature person to demonstrate the poetry of monogamy. But I agree that monogamy is and has always been a choice. No marriage certificate will change a person’s thought process. But give young people some credit Goddess, they know what fidelity is in spite of their limited life experience. Our young adults may not have many role models who demonstrate a committed relationship, but they still believe that sexual fidelity is attainable and not necessarily restrictive.

The Truth About Marriage, by Carin Rubenstein

Yes I feel pretty cool with it now partly due to our role reversal. I have a great husband who since losing his job last year is (slowly) evolving into a 21st Century Man. Not quite a house-husband, he will cook and clean on his schedule. I’m not critical and if I want something done sooner than later, I do it and he’s not offended. I must admit it’s a strange arrangement lol! But I found that the key is to refrain from my natural tendency to nag. When I ask him to do a specific task, I ask, not order. If he bristles, then I use my excellent negociation skills.

I’ll admit that I believe that I do more in terms of the work, home, relationship balance. But I won’t complain because I have a committed partner. I’m thankful that don’t have to carry the entire weight myself.

'Whatever' and More Communication Offenses That Annoy People, by Sybil Adelman Sage

I always note that when someones opens with "First of all", there is never a "Second of all".

Wig sales are down ... Do you think the stigma of male baldness has eroded? What do you think about bald (or balding) men?

I saw a man enter a fast food restaurant today with a full gray wig. The stiff hair piece sat on top of his head. I just followed him across the parking lot wondering if he knows that his brothers have liberated him?

Wig sales are down ... Do you think the stigma of male baldness has eroded? What do you think about bald (or balding) men?

I love the sexy bald male! Now that I understand what it’s like to be bald myself, I’m glad that men have stopped hiding behind horid wigs and toupees. As for my alopecia areata totalis, it’s a day by day struggle with acceptance vs. self-hate. I really miss my beautiful hair and I ache inside when I see a woman with a gorgeous mane. But I’m so thankful that I don’t have a catastrophic illness. Each day that I press through insecurity and go out in public; I’m blessed with affirming words from kind people. And although those nice folks probably think I have cancer, the positivity lowers my anxiety. I hope that one day women can follow the men and embrace their natural beauty.

Should Roman Polanski go to prison?

Don’t be appalled Baby Snooks. All of us Americans are taught in our grade school Civics class that justice is black or white. No gray. We were taught that there is no double standard imposed in favor of any person over another. Then we grew up and either encountered the criminal justice system personally, knew someone who did or watched as a media spectator. We witness variations in the treatment of the accused all the time and yet we still believe that the American criminal justice system is fair. Why?

Caption This!

A May—December romance circa 1971. Either that or he’s her dad.

What Do You Remember About Offices Back When ...???

I remember the first office that I visited as a child in the early seventies. Rows of desks, the loud tapping sound of IBM Selectric Typewriters and the smell of stale cigarette smoke.

'Another Outrage,' by Jodie T. Allen

Well, I welcome you Christine! The dialog here is lively and fun unless the topic is about Sarah Palin or Ann Coulter. LOL

The agencies that are accountable to help those in need have been known to often miss the mark. But handing out money on the streets is not constructive and leads to aggressive panhandling especially by those homeless people with mental illness. It’s difficult to rely on a government agency. I’ve heard mixed reviews on agencies such as the Salvation Army and United Way. It’s horrible to be without resources and without family support. Like you, when I can pass on gently used clothes or toys to others, it’s the best feeling in the world! I know I’m really helping someone directly.

'Another Outrage,' by Jodie T. Allen

Well, I welcome you Christine! The dialog here is lively and fun unless the topic is about Sarah Palin or Ann Coulter. LOL

The agencies that are accountable to help those in need have been known to often miss the mark. But handing out money on the streets is not constructive and leads to aggressive panhandling especially by those homeless people with mental illness. It’s difficult to rely on a government agency. I’ve heard mixed reviews on agencies such as the Salvation Army and United Way. It’s horrible to be without resources and without family support. Like you, when I can pass on gently used clothes or toys to others, it’s the best feeling in the world! I know I’m really helping someone directly.

'Another Outrage,' by Jodie T. Allen

Maybe these doll makers will at least donate 100% of the profits to helping the homeless. It’s something.

Exactly Christine. If donating ALL proceeds to charities that help the homeless or working poor was never part of the concept, it’s one of the most insidious, tacky and despicable marketing gimmicks in toy making history.

Marlo Thomas on Gender Bias in Hollywood: 'I Encountered a lot of Men Who Didn't Want to Deal With Me or Wanted to Bed Me'

Marlo’s experience is mine exactly. Currently things are entirely different. I’m now accepted as an equal if not superior. I use the power judiciously, much fairer than it was used against me when I was starting out as a struggling single mother. Oh yeah, times have definitely changed. Now my only concern is if I’m paid the same as my male peers.