I think that’s where the contrast exists. Our lifestyles here in the U.S. have several components that encourage and sometimes require us to sleep less than we should. Whether it’s a long commute, single parenthood, parenting in general, telecommuting to different time zones, restless dogs, etc…There are many things going on that are not easily reorganized. Right now, I am, single and jobless. I have much more free time than ever before. I can see some habits that encouraged me to sleep less than I needed (e.g. not enough excercise, late night eating, late night everything). But that’s not the case for everyone.

I agree and hope that this depression we are experiencing will cause a shift in how we live; however we have to remember that when things improve people will feel even more job loss anxiety from being unemployed. Bottom line is, we can only try to take care of ourselves and get more exercise and sleep; but we must be consistent in the effort.

My friends and I are wrestling with this particular issue about the 5 children, our judgement of the situation, our judgement of her, her lack of good judgement, etc. A child going off to Iraq, a child unexpectedly pregnant at a young age, and a child with perhaps permanent and challenging needs… Here’s the thing: I have no right to say she should not go for the VP job. I can only say that if I had this many obligations in MY house, I would reconsider. I would expect the same of my mate. It’s the age old question: How do you balance your own personal development along with the needs of your children? Interestingly enough I have a friend who is an accomplished, psychologist, author, and professor. She raised 3 kids while doing most of this. She is 68 and thinks Sarah Palin should have considered waiting for because of the familial obligations. When the rest of us said that we thought she was being sexist, she serenely (and logically) explained that before John Edwars imploded, she didn’t really believe that he should run either (with a wife in questionable health and young children). So I don’t know. In general I do not think Sarah Palin is right for the job…but then I can live in the gratitude that comes from knowing that she’s not a Democrat. She and I just happen to have the same biological parts. That’s all. Hopefully, after November, she will become a distant memory

The same way she managed to be Mossad spy. Mother of children, mother of a country; It’s all the same.Women thrive when multitasking.

27 is so young for her kind of fame. It clouds judgement. Even if she weren’t famous, a little more life experience (and the wisdom resulting from it) would have told her that you should not marry someone just because they asked. I truly wish them well but I think it’s too soon; she’s too green; and he’s probably not an appropriate choice.

I think it’s a nonissue if you are in love.The fact is bad and unexpected things DO happen. It’s easy to imagine all the scenarios where someone feels that the person being asked to sign one is potentially dishonest or greedy. It’s even easier to imagine that the person asking for one is shallow and selfish and maybe a bit controlling. But for me the reality is that if you really love someone you’d sign and even more importantly someone who really loves shouldn’t need you to sign one. So that being said, it’s all about the individuals and the situation. I have a friend who signed one. Her husband (who had ammassed a respectable fortune) decided at the end of the second year of the marriage that he had been a fool for needing one. He eliminated it. They’ve had their ups and downs. But they’ve been together 27 years now. Lovely story sure… but we all know it doesn’t always go that way.

Oh so you’re against mental laziness in our young people too…And you’re encouraging honoring civic responsabilities like suffrage. Absolute madness…where will this lead? Be careful we may end up with people who are educated voters expecting competent leadership from government officials. This could start a dangerous trend involving discipline, awareness, and character strength. We could end up better. Then what would happen to mediocrity? Any student of yours is fortunate beyond measure…Never stop. THANK YOU!

Well see there’s the problem you were “THINKING”. How hopelessly out of fashion. Anam…it seems the message went unheeded. Fascism eliminates the need for both thought and education. Ah… the sweet comfort of ignorance. Eats away the brain much faster than any drug ever could. Please never stop THINKING. Think on this site. Think out loud…to other people. Maybe you can bring THINKING back. Thanks

As stated earlier,a message that needs this much “massage” isn’t a very good one. I agree with you; they managed to make the intention irrelevant.

In the past I have been a bigger supporter of the New Yorker than I ever have been of Obama, although I am a Democrat. I have been disillusioned with the candidates for a very long time. That said, I have to agree with a statement I heard earlier this week. “If any kind of humor parody, satire, irony etc has to be explained this much, then it has missed its mark.” Obama could have benefitted from Liz’s verbal style…but the New Yorker should have provided a finer cartoon.

I went out with a man who was 8 years younger for about 3 years. when we met I was 42 and 34. He was beautiful, very smart and of course sexy. He had pursued me for about 2 years. I had put him off mainly because I had never even dated any one my own age let alone younger. While I was vasilating he mentioned that once he was out of college and became established in his career he developed a preference for women 10-15 years older than he. I asked why. He maintained that in these relationships he felt both more challenged and more appreciated. I don’t know if this was true; but that’s what he said. After a time we parted (he moved to another country); but remain friends.

Mr Russert always presented himself and his views with class, intelligence, and objectivity. He performed a public service to his viewing public with integrity and respect… No personal scandal, no seedy professional drama…an openly dedicated ( and exemplary) family man. The good ones always leave too soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones

How lovely…bring a nice wine to go with your petit ami

THANK YOU! Carol As an educated black woman, I agree wholeheartedly with your statements. By virtue of my appearance (because if you were not born in the U.S. race is not cultural its a physical feature) Iwas expected to vote for Obama. I grew up in a well educated east coast household and can say that my experience of why women often receive so much venom from the old boys club is because other women don’t support their sisters on the hot seat. The reason that it is called an “Old Boys CLUB” is because they support each other. We women are slow to do this. We are, however, very quick to question and judge. What I saw was many women quibbling about Bill…many women losing sight of the fact that HRC is well prepared to lead this country. What I saw was a popularity contest that harkened back to high school class elections. Make no mistake: there will only be a woman president in this country when we as women show that we do not need to fall in love with the illusion of the candidate’s perfection. Obama is a well educated person of color. Believe it or not there are several well educated African Americans in this country. Given our ecomnomic and diplomatic troubles, this was THE time for an experienced leader; not a “dream candidate”. When you need a doctor or a plumber you need him/her to be qualified not “dreamy”. It’s important to remember that any woman that does not believe in HRC still had a responsability to call out those who used gender bias as a weapon. The “silence” on this and the “Liberation Theology” issue was apalling and divisive.

“Drunken gnat” I love that!

Ms Crowley should rethink her opinion. While Scott McClellan cannot be considered a hero for revealing what so many people already knew, he has spoken up about what he believes he knows. If this were about anything other that the thousands of senseless deaths that have occurred then maybe (small maybe) discretion would be virtuous. But we have a president who was as witless and short sighted as some of us suspected. A man who has indirectly ended our way of life by making us wounded, fearful, and poorer in many ways that we could not have imagined. We have to remember that not only are there dead soldiers but dead civilians as well. We must remember that there are children in Iraq who have no understanding of this war yet have become its casualties. There are those here in the U.S. who have attempted suicide to avoid redeployment. The atrocities at the Walter Reed hospital and at Guantanamo Bay. In view of these war related issues does Ms. Crowley beleive that Scott McClellan should keep quiet out of employee loyalty? Really?