Personally, my broker called on Friday and said to “hold” on Lehman, after all, we have bonds. Well, finally today we sold them at about 1/4 of their original value. This was a part of our retirement monies we are living on.We put our money in safe—-banks and investment firms, too big to go under! or so we were told. Interest rates have tanked all through the last seven years—no help to anyone except the “big companies” and devastingly low for people hoping to have some money from the interest on their savings. I am an example of a little person getting squished.

Yesterday I had an “ugly U.S. medical care” moment. IHad an appointment for a test (mammogram) since back in Dec 2007 there were 3 cysts to be “watched”. We changed medical carriers on June 1, so I cancelled my June 6th appointment since we had not received our new card. July I got shingles and they ran along the diaphragm and breast. (Desired healing before squishing.) At local medical offices during August and asked for a new appointment. Answer-oh we don’t have that equipment anymore.(OK- cost saving by clustering of equipment sounds reasonable.) Next open appoint.Sept. 15. My card was used to make appointment. I am now at 9 months instead of 6 month re-check. Sept 15- arrives. Drive the twenty miles to the clinic. Wait 28 minutes to be called to desk. Lady takes my card and says -we don’t accept this carrier here. This was the same card used when I made appointment. Now spent $7 for gas to go to center and back. Waited almost half hour. I ask, what center would accept my card? After all , this is the only Women’s Health Center specializing in mammograms and ultrasounds in the county. That is their specialty. She said, “no idea.” I left. Aggravated because- Why was I given an appointment using that carrier when it would not be accepted? At Stroudsburg Women’s Health Imaging Clinic: If she knew my carrier would not accept the bill, then why would she not also be versed in whether I go an hour south or 40 miles north? Are they not the experts on this? Sure, I will get on the phone and find out where I am to go. In another month or two, I will have gotten another appointment so I can learn what this new lump I have been feeling since April actually is. Hopefully nothing. I want the CARE back in MEDICAL CARE

thanks. Enjoyed the interviews. Sounds like I need to indulge in new bedwear pajamas! These pajama pants and T-shirt just are not sexy enough for the new me—-a Wowowow woman. :)

Lorraine, You said it….what if. …………….. As a democrat who wants a strong economy, as we had when Pres. Bill Clinton left office, I am very interested in having a democrat as Pres. again. However, the what if game is fun……..and IF Obama had offered the VP to Hillary, I am guessing she would have said thanks but no thanks. She will be a powerhouse in the Senate, in foreign affairs and in every way she can. Meanwhile, Biden will be well -suited to giving his advice to Obama in the white house as VP and Sen Clinton will be a stronger than ever Senator.

Amy, Good for you! :) Motherhood is a blessing. You had that choice and freedom is wonderful, don’t you think? You are expressing that you are aware others (mother included) might have made another decision. Hopefully we can keep the choice medically safe and legal.

Andrea, What a pro! You were absolutely drowning in balloons and yet you continued on. I think the other commentators were amused and impressed by your professionalism. boom boom, when I heard that name said I wasn’t sure it was an old nickname or just made up. it might stick. What was that lady behind you doing anyway? Was she helping you or not? Looked like she was piling more balloons up onto you??? this video is forever and may follow you as a loving tribute.

More Moore please ! Watched the interview on Larry King and look forward to this documentary. Humor always seems to be the sugar that helps the medicine (truth) go down a bit easier. Yes, over the top is part of what is necessary in today’s world. Tree frogs of media. Screaming to be heard over the next tree frog in a cacophony of voices.

E, Wowowow seems to welcome views. I am not trying to flatter you or anyone else.(Not a toady or a sycophant) I am just giving my own thoughts here. This site certainly does not hate women as you suggest. with the term misogyny. Comments can be registered in opposition to her views; as well as in opposition to any public servant or someone running for public office. There will no doubt be questions concerning her family values, her views on education, her views on the economy, and her views on foreign affairs. This is appropriate. The first decision—that of picking a VP, demonstrates the Pres. candidates views. This would coincide with potential Supreme Court candidates if elected. Questions to Sem Obama and Sen Biden and Sen McCain will similarly be asked. These questions are not part of our deliberation in our democracy and not to be taken as personal attacks.

JB and others in the I QUIT club. Smoked 17 years & up to three packs a day. Went down to a pack a day while pregnant. Kept trying to quit and not smoke around my baby…..finally went to an addiction specialist and she told me that my cigarette in the car on the way was my last one. I protested, saying that I did not know it was my last….she said…get over it. Remember “you can do anything for five minutes…even hang by your thumbs…for five minutes…. just wait out the urge for five minutes.” During this time, know your cigarettes are in your purse and you can choose to smoke anytime you want. Just not during these five minutes Five minutes would go by. The horror was over for then. An hour later…just those five minutes. Time passed and it might be two hours. Eventually it was a month before the urge, six months…..doesn’t matter. We can always “choose” to smoke another day. Not today. That is my story about cold turkey. It has been 22 years of choosing not to smoke even though my dear husband smokes a pack a day. He smokes outside, in the garage, up the chimney…but he still smokes. My addiction therapist said not to wait until he quits. My second born child was glad I didn’t as was my young son. I quit.

Dear E, Did you look at the photos? Me-thinks you simply were “caught” by a catchy title and did not look further. geez, lighten up. As a 60’s teenager I wore dresses to school since pants were not allowed. I thought I was rebelling after school by wearing jeans. In our world, what we wear does reflect our society, whether we like it or not. Consider burka’s (sp?) and pant suits, power suits, dresses……ties vs. cardigan on Pres. Carter—-remember that? Keep up the good articles Wowowow.

Please excuse my poor typing….. racist with a t. and Republican without other “thingy’s” and on and on…..I will often err.

Sarah Palin reaction: On Sat., Aug. 30, I was out at a Wal Mart encouraging people to register to vote. Cannot be partison in this role. Can listen. Life long Republican I know came up to me so excited “Isn’t it great?” I smiled, thinking of Obamas speech, but knowing her as a Re[publican I didn’t think that is what she meant. She said” can you believe that they think if we do not vote for Osama(the name she used), then we are racis?. Well, I am not voting for him! I love Sarah Palin. She’s great, don’t you think so? ” I only could say…Sen Obama……and she said. oh yea, that’s his name. I could tell you more stories..anyone interested?

Labor Day weekend is coming to a close. This discussion on union is barely begun. Would enjoy more discussion based around teacher’s unions and education. There is so much to say in general also about education in the US. Anyone read Bill Cosby’s “Come On People” ? Love to discuss that book in terms of education and its influence.

Carol, Risking our “thread” getting tangled and out of order-but here goes……… your quote”If you are implying that it is the previous teacher’s fault that a student is behind, you have to examine other factors like attendance and learning disabilities.” True. If the current teacher has intervention with reading and/or math or addtional aides, smaller class size, or the loss of a parent is less recent…….lots of factors……… BUT, the child’s progress has gotten back on track and is improving—so go ahead and give merit pay. The previous year’s teacher of that child will not doubt have other students in a “better” year also and in the flux of possiblilites—-there is no such thing as totally fair. JFK acknowledged this. BUT, it would still be better for morale and education at large if there was (albeit imperfect) a merit pay at the finish line. Our country thrives on encouragment and reward. So do teachers.

please read below and mmmmmm tell me……what you think.