When we planned a small, quickie wedding in under two weeks, we never bothered with all the normal bridal trappings. My short raw silk dress was off the rack. We ditched the wedding cake in favor of tortes. There was no engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette or bachelor party. We never registed for gifts. Some folks who attended the wedding never even bothered to get us gifts since they assumed that we'd be divorced in no time. Now we're approaching two decades together. I hope to never be invited to a divorce "party" and never intend to buy something for a person from their "divorce registry."

Charlotte Mark must live in a rarified universe. I have never encountered immediately post-divorce folks who were ready to break bread together. I absolutely cannot picture any one that I know having such a hokey ceremony... this includes the one couple that I know who have been really supportive and successful in co-parenting post-divorce. This confirms my suspicion that this divorce celebration stuff is really just a conspiracy between the greeting card companies and wedding planners. My mom probably had some drinks with close friends when her divorce was completed. Who really needs anything more than that?

I had my first kid at 31 after having to undergo a full fertility work-up. Among my friends and colleagues, I am aware of at least 15 or so miscarriages, 12 children born from various IVF techniques, and umpteen children adopted after these fertility treatments failed. Our bodies don't always cooperate with our agendas. If you start trying to conceive earlier, you have many more options available.

From my own perspective, my body felt better during my pregnancy during my 30s than after I hit 40. The added decade hasn't done anything for me in the wisdom and patience department either.

My old college roommate dated a beautiful boy who studied at Parsons and worked at Comme des Garcons. Nick unfortunately wore more make-up than all of the rest of us combined. Thick on make-up, thin on romance.

Over a century ago when the party was formed in Maine, Republicans included radicals that were anti-slavery, pro-women's rights, pro-children's rights, and pro-labor rights. These radicals developed coalitions across barriers of gender, religion and race. They practiced civil disobedience by hiding fugitive slaves and helping them escape to more friendly territory. Republican women of this ilk didn't wear slinky black dresses and fuck-me pumps like Ann Coulter. (I doubt they'd make smarmy comments about widows, either.)

Once upon a time, New York Republicans ran as an alternative to the cronyism of Tammany Hall Democratic machine politics. They even ran on platforms supporting public education and public works projects.

Once upon a time, Republicans didn't advocate rushing into foreign countries with guns blazing. They seriously considered the economic, physical and human cost of wars. Some Republicans even had thick FBI files as a result of their pacifist ideals. Hard to imagine.

We live in strange times when the Republicans who express values consistent with the foundations of the historical Republican party are viewed as the liberal mavericks (ie: Arlen Spector, Lincoln Chafee).

White boy Jimmy can puff away in private without consequence. Meanwhile, the black guy who happens to give dope-dealing friend a lift, will end up with 10 years in jail. Rich white kids can snort, pop or puff away without fear of police harassment. By contrast, black kids are disproportionately searched and jailed. Working class whites also wind up with their homes being ripped apart in drug raids just by virtue of associating with known drug users.

My daughter has instructed me to "vote for the girl." My oldest son is for Obama. I'm holding out on a final decision.

Personally, I find the May/December candidates' spouses really creepy. This dirty old man aversion should bode well for Hillary, Obama and Mitt.

Conservative religious groups have typically emphasized modesty and there is admittedly a full spectrum of what is considered "modest." I think other Western women share my visceral reaction to a black burkha in that it looks like a black hole, a negation of the person underneath.

Admittedly, the West has its issues. Tottering high heels are continuously marketed to women despite the fact that over time they mutilate feet. What does this say about our culture when women are willing to undergo pain and subsequent surgery for a fashion that limits our mobility? (The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery regularly runs seminars on "Sexy Shoes, Painful Feet" but no one inside the fashion industry seems to be getting the message.)

However, I am glad that I live in a culture where I can make my own choices and not have rocks thrown at me as a result. With my admittedly imperfect body, I can swim at a public pool and not sit on the sidelines in a burkha. The world will be a better place for girls of today when they can dress in a way that is not only maks them feel comfortable with their bodies but also allows them freedom to move and to express their individuality.

I will never forgive Cheney for being a war profiteer at other people's expense. The arrogance and corruption of this present administration staggers me. I packed my husband's bags with the expectation that he would help find weapons of mass destruction. Instead, I discovered that this whole war was about profiteering and controlling the Middle East oil reserves. Our whole life was upended by the war: job loss, financial setbacks, relocation, etc.

Now Cheney is beating the drum for war with Iran. Unfortunately, my children will be the ones bearing all the costs as a consequence of this armchair warrior.