Levraphael remembers as I do. Even before that NASCAR episode, there was the Seven Dwarves reference, her epithet for the Democratic Party's field of presidential candidates. Mostly, they were serious candidates-- or at least serious-thinking candidates-- and deserved better. And so did we, the public, especially given the rest of the BigMedia's (lack of respectable) coverage in 2004.

In fact, I was pretty incensed then, and all things considered, my reactions (including heated letters, both to Ms. Dowd, and the Public Editor, and later on, a blog post) seem pretty mild... in retrospect.

That being said, I did think that the furor about her book was a bit overblown (and according to RT, my hunch about the editing of the excerpts was correct). BUT... where were all of these commenters when Dowd was writing about the events that would eventually have an effect on all our lives? (Perhaps they were doing as I was, and deciding to start blogs.)

Still, I must admit to appreciating some of the same elements of style in her writing that Ransom does, but that only makes it even more infuriating when she writes such things as the above examples. Really, I would be happier if she were to continue to write about popular culture and gender politics (I love Hepburn & Loy, too!) on a regular basis, or even for SNL, but left (real) Politics for those who actually care about the outcome and are less careless with those important issues affecting our (non-elitist) lives. [Think Bob Herbert, or Molly Ivins, if you would have humor.]

Ironically, one of the recent profiles mentions that she finds very few women with whom to discuss Politics. I wonder why? Isn't it interesting that Dowd, despite all of her power & access, still gets plenty of dates, while I, with so little real power, can have numerous women friends-- married & single working mothers & grandmothers-- with whom I may have serious discussions about politics?

Of course. And now we know the real reason for the mandatory refresher courses on Ethics, especially on handling classified information.

I've been wondering whether Woodward's lack of candor and his sour grapes attitude about Fitzgerald's investigation might have been because his narrative didn't quite match up with Fitzgerald's, which might compromise both the "integrity" and sales of his book.

Also, could Woodward's revelation be relevant to Novak's statement that he couldn't tell his own story yet because Fitzgerald had left something on the table?

So! I guess that's your story... and you're stickin' to it?

So! I guess that's your story... and you're stickin' to it?

If Green Eyes wants to follow Cary's suggestion about prayer, but would like some help, given how hard it can be to pray for someone you resent, I often visit the website at Silent Unity, which accepts prayer requests and honors them 24/7 for a whole month. Those for whom I have requested prayers (being very careful in my phrasing) have often found some kind of help over time. More importantly, I could then let go of my own feelings about the situation, having turned it over, not necessarily to a higher power (being a doubter), but certainly to the power of human prayer (which I know from experience).

And, one can certainly put one's self on that prayer list. I have when I've thought of it. I also know of someone else who did, when she was trying to get pregnant, and did. (And, I know of another woman who participated in a fertility ritual with a small group a few years ago on Beltaine, May 1st, leaping over a small pot of fire... and also became pregnant.) I can't explain these things, but only offer them up because I happen to know about them.

GE's letter also reminded me of that bit in "The Prophet," something along the lines of "Your children are not your children; they are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself." I always thought that meant that my daughter was not only mine, and that she would absolutely benefit from having other loving adults in her life. I know I benefited from the attentions of an aunt and uncle, who noticed me in ways that my parents could not.

As the oldest of six, and the mother of one, I know that our society places a tremendous emphasis on a women's fertility and that childbearing is overly romanticized. One reason that children are sometimes referred to as our spiritual teachers is they consistently challenge us in our comfort zones. That kind of challenge can, as others have written, occur in parenting or nurturing others who are not our actual children.

A woman is so much more than a mere vessel... at the risk of sounding curmudgeonly (and I do love my daughter), is it possible that the lack of a pregnancy might offer an even greater opportunity? Lord knows-- children place immediate and permanent limits on any future choices.