Last night I began reading THE ALIENIST, by Caleb Carr.  It’s a murder mystery set in the late 1800’s in New York.  Then this morning, after attending to a few important errands, and having a serious conversation with my eldest son, I felt I needed a reprieve … a bit of levity before resuming were I left off in the book.

Ha!  Reading this thread has allowed me to enjoy a bit of humor, glee, outrage, exhuberatin, solemnity, and astonishment. 

Gosh darn!  Now my desire to continue reading THE ALIENTIST has been diminished.  Caleb Carr’s narrative now seem far less invigorating.

Ah shucks!!

It’s about ‘choice’.  My hair texture was never really coarse of very kinky.  But, when I was 14, I begged my mother to press my hair.  And, to my joy I was thrilled … I wanted to ‘fit in’.  I had a lite press for many years, and I never relaxed my hair until I was in my 30’s. [Relaxing my hair over time ruined it.  I eventually cut it ten years later, when I went all  ‘natural’. 

Since then, I simply wash, condition, then roll my hair.  And, I cant’ imagine ever pressing or relaxing my hair in the future, and prefer my ‘natural’ style.

Lily,

Thank you. 

Laughter is a universal ‘healer’.  How appropriate that ‘healing the world’ is among the more important themes that will be remembered in Michael Jackson’s music.

I watched the memorial service.  I also agree that it was ‘tasteful’ … and befetting Michael Jackson’s talent, his charitiy contributions, and the barriers he broke down for ALL ethnic groups.

Michael Jackson’s memorial service was NOT a circus.

How I wish that President Obama’s push for a nuclear-free future was an attainable goal!!  Yet, the rising powers in The Middle East and Asia, and new shifts in the power structure in Eastern Europe will prevent this from happening in the near future.

Yet, I applaud President Obama for his efforts to pursue the issue of global denuclearization, and for seeking talks to bring about ‘change’ in how world powers examine this import issue.

Valet assistance for Arabian/East African guests who insist on using their preferred mode of transportaion.

Lauri,

Well said. My sentiments exactly.

Marjorie,

Your last paragraph accurately reflects my sentiments when you wrote: "I won’t discuss or defend Sarah Palin any further."  Except, my specific opinion was to neither discuss, nor attack Sarah Palin in response to this Coulter’s article.."  

Similarly, I agree with you when you wrote, "Those who don’t like her, don’t like her, and that’s it.  Much the same for Obama.  He has his followers and he has his detractors." 

Most especially, I agree with you on wOw’s posting of this article, that … "Opening the door to all this mudslinging is unfortunate."      

Perhaps a better question would be … Which, particular ‘freedom’ have I enjoyed, or taken advantage of.  Because there is no such thing as absolute freedom [in the larger realm of things].  Because implicit in the ideal of freedom is taking personal responsibly for one’s choices.  For when all is said and done, freedom does surely comes at a cost - the noble and the practical - whether it’s taxes, compromise, tolerance, or humility. 

Phylliss,

Your last sentence moved me to tears.  I don’t know of any woman who would not want to have what you have.

You are truly blessed.

Maizie

Duh!  Of course not.

Criminals have been executed for the same crime that Bernie Badoff committed.  He deliberately, with malice intent, destroyed the lives of countless victims.  No.  He did not use a gun, knife, or other weapon to deprive victims of their lives.  Yet, in my opinion, he is no better than a murderer.  If I believed in the death penalty … Badoff would be on death row for the cold-blooded, premeditated assaults, which destroyed the lives of his victims.

During the past quarter century, we have seen the demise of responsible journalism … where quality news became diminished resembling tabloid snippets, with sensationalized and titillating headlines preying on the perverse nature of a readership, which sprung out of the ‘flower child’ generation of ‘free love’, social defiance, and hysteria.  Worse, the press became more invasive and reckless, intruding into the [very] personal lives of our public figures. 

When I learned about David Rohde’s kidnapping and how it was being handled by various news sources, I wondered if diplomacy and responsible sensible reporting would emerge to insure the safety of Rohde. Then I read the headlines when Rohed’s was finally freed. How remarkable, I thought.  The press at last acted appropriated in this instance.

For this reason, I hope that The New York Times will win an award for displaying outstanding journalistic integrity for the decision they made … and ‘stuck to’ … by withholding information regarding reporter, David Rohede’s kidnapping.  And how knows?  Perhaps a precedence has been set to raise the bar a bit higher, and establish better standards on how journalist report complex/security related occurrences.

No matter how beautiful the table settings and area/room/patio where your party is held, no matter how exquisite the cuisine, and not matter how excellent the music … if you have the wrong mix of guests all your best efforts for hosting a great party will be in vain.