Margaret and Helen

Margaret and Helen,
Apologies if a half finished version of this comment got through to you… I had a small disagreement with my computer.

In any case, I was wondering if you had thougths on the South Carolina priest who has told his flock that if they voted for Obama they should not take communion because he supports a woman’s right to choose whether or not she has an abortion.

The article about this man went on to reference that “many bishops spoke out on abortion more boldly than four years earlier, telling Catholic politicians and voters that the issue should be the most important consideration in setting policy and deciding which candidate to back.”

Yes, the decision on whether or not to have an abortion is an important one. But I, personally, think that to make that the only or most important reason you vote is taking a really narrow view of all the things we need to worry about in this day and age.

Your thoughts?

Silver Snow Dragon (aka, Susan)

Dear Margaret and Helen,
I want to tell you how much your blog has meant to me. I lost my own dear Mother in 2005 and she and I really enjoyed the political follies. So during this election season, reading you was like talking to her again. I have to say thank you. I was able to reconnect to the great memories of my Mom and I arguing about politics.
Here is a suggestion and a question. Suggestion is to maybe watch the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC. She will always have things for you to talk about. Much better than the view. She is a lot smarter! (Except maybe for Whoopie)
Question: My mother in law is advancing into Alzhiemer’s and my father-in-law has serious diabetes as well as heart problems. We live 12 hours away. My husband’s sister is about 2 hours away, his brother 6. We are going out there at Thanksgiving. How do I handle my sister in law who puts on a martyr attitude, and is rude, mean and generally nasty to me. This is new since the health problems. My kids have picked up on the change in their Aunt and want to know what is going on? What to do, do I tell them she is feeling frustrated and taking it out on a safe target or confront her with her behavior?

Love and Hugs cause everybody needs them.

Teri

I came to ask about the rumored car company bailout, but I see somebody already has that covered.

Instead I will ask about age politics. Young people are notoriously inactive in the elections, though this year we had a pretty good showing.[0] Frequently, you will hear pundits making fun of youth voters, because apparently our opinions about how to run society are naive or somesuch.

With the continuing advances in medicine as well as the slow dropoff of birth rates, our society is “graying.”[1] What do you think the role of the various age demographics ought to be in politics? Should youth voters defer to the more experienced members of society, or should the people who are going to have to live with the choices that are being made have more of a voice?

[0] http://badgerherald.com/news/2008/11/06/youth_turnout_climbs.php
[1] http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/social_security/jan-june05/graying_5-25.html

Helen,
What I really want to ask you, with all the media flying around “the bitch” right now and her actually giving press conferences, do you really think the GOP (God Awful Party) would nominate her for 2012?

Your friend,
Karen

(the sane Realtor)

Dear Margaret and Helen,

You’ve maintained an amazing friendship for a really long time… in talking to us young’uns, what do you think are the most important things you’ve done that have kept that friendship so strong? And what was it about each other that you thought was special from the beginning?

-Kelly

I’m glad you added this feature. Since I respect your opinions… What do you think of the rumor about Hillary Clinton being named Secretary of State?

Margaret and Helen,

My question is:

IS LAURA BUSH IN A TRANCE?

I know the media have been swarming around The Bitch like flies around a fresh cow pie, but there is another woman I’m worried about that I think we should be focusing on right now: our current first lady.

Observing her alongside president Bush these last eight years has gotten me to wondering — why is it that she is always so stoic and emotionless? I have a theory, and I’d I like you to comment. Being a Texas gal like Laura, and being married to Harold, I’m thinking Helen might be best equipped to relate to her.

When they met, I’m sure Laura thought little Georgie was a cute, well-connected, fun, party boy. But once they got married and he quit drinking in 1986, I’m sure she was shocked to discover he hadn’t merely been drunk or hung over all those years — he was actually retarded. But, what could she do? The twins were already born. And so, she did what any southern lady does in the face of adversity: she straightened her back, stiffened her upper lip, and sprayed another three layers of Aqua-Net on her hairdo to keep it erect in the 97% humidity of Texas. She just simply ignored the situation and soldiered on.

Now, fast forward twenty-some years, and it seems like keeping her back straight and her upper lip stiff all of this time has caused Laura to slip into some sort of aerosol-induced trance. Watching the father of her children make a complete ass of himself on the world stage must have caused her to clinch that jaw even tighter. The pressure inside Laura must be mounting.

My concern: once they get back to Texas and away from the spotlight, I’m afraid Laura is going to snap out her trance. And it won’t be pretty. Georgie is going to wake up late one night, find his sheets soaked in gasoline and Laura standing at the foot of his bed holding a book of matches looking like Mommy Dearest.

When Laura gets back to Texas, perhaps you and Margaret can stage some kind of intervention before she goes off the deep end. Are you up for that?

Thanks for letting me stop by. The cake was tasty.

Mitch

Can you write your feelings about how the election process can be reformed? I don’t think anyone is this whole country wants another 2 year multimillion dollar presidential campaign ever again. Then there are the voting machines and the endless frauds that dis-enfranchise minorities, youth and older voters. And not to forget, the electoral college, whose usefulness was outlived in the last century.

Thanks, Jody

Whats for Thanksgiving and who’s coming?

Margaret & Helen,

This is a fun one……what’s your favorite movie?

Looking forward to your blogs!

Margaret & Helen,
Thanks for all the wisdom and enjoyment you’ve given us.

I would really enjoy hearing from Margaret, and her thoughts about the last couple of emotion-filled months!

Thanks for sticking around, I’ll be back to check for updates regularly!

Dear Margaret and Helen,

Thank you for continuing your blog and for opening up the process for your readers to ask questions. Your blog has inspired me to start a blog for my mom. She is new to the land of the internet.

My question is what are your thoughts on doctors who practice medicine while abusing drugs and alcohol? Most states have a state program that offers those doctors who are arrested on DUI’s, drug offenses, and other crimes to enter a program that allows them counseling and other services while also allowing them to continue practicing medicine without their patients knowing about it. The program is confidential and there is no way to know if your doctor is in this program or has an abuse problem? Legislators are not jumping at the chance to provide those they serve the opportunity to make an educated choice about their child’s surgeon or their mother’s doctor? Would you want to know if your doctor abused drugs or alcohol?

Thank you!

How about this:

A Catholic Priest is telling his parishioners that if they voted for Obama, they should not receive the sacrament of Holy Communion!!!
Here’s a link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081113/ap_on_re_us/obama_catholics;_ylt=Ai2ZkRpnEz0h3G9H5t22eF6s0NUE

Have fun with this one!

Do you like cats? Why do so few presidents have cats? There should always be a First Cat.

I’m addicted to http://www.icanhascheezburger.com.

And here is my other question: Why do people blindly believe everything Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, etc. say? I just don’t understand how anyone can outsource their thinking to those hate-filled blowhards.

Kelley in TX

How do you keep sex H.O.T. into your 80’s? Of course, I mean marital relations. No funny business.

I tried to think of a topic that would require no *research* on your part. I know my kids and I have always enjoyed my mom (who is now 86) talk about her childhood & growing up, her first job, learning to live in the “big city” (Chicago), being a newlywed….you get the idea. They are comical, enlightening, and story gems. Perhaps you could blog on any of those topics?

Hello Helen and Margaret-

Thank you (and your evidently brilliant grandson) for figuring out a way to continue this blog post-election. I look forward to your comments daily.

My question, should you choose to address it, is this: I have noticed a tremendous shift in this country, I am not exactly sure what kind of shift it is – maybe spiritual (but not religious)- but in the past few years we have gotten more comfortable talking about things that don’t necessarily have a strong scientific basis (a la the tv shows Medium, Ghost Hunters, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc) and I have a friend who is an Animal Communicator and she reports that people are more accepting of her field now than they have been in the past.

I don’t think the shift is finished. I am wondering what you think about it, whether you have any opinion about where we are headed as a species (will we evolve as spiritual beings? will we continue to break into warring tribes as our cave dwelling ancestors did?) and how you feel about it all?

peace-
flyndog in colorado

The late night shows will struggle to be current after this election but you’ll never be out of material!!

Just speak your mind and we’ll be refreshing constantly.

Stay young!!

I want to be just like you ladies when I grow old(er).

Is that your real pictures on your masthead?

A friend of mine does not believe you are legit, but since I agree with all of your views you could be from Mars for all I care!

Keep it up. Really. I mean it.

I would love your opinion on the state of our economy and the “bailouts” that help only a select few.

Please keep writing! I love your posts!

Dear Ladies,

It seems that all your readers enjoy reading anything you have to blog about. I know I certainly do.
Just blog about whatever you feel like.
Something in the news?
What you ate for dinner?
Great memories that you have?
Tips for trying to stay happy?

We love you no matter what. I look forward to reading your blog daily.

Lots of Luck.

Mary

Well, now you have 900,001 fans and more once I forward your address. SO…what keeps you going? Why are you so filled with life while others have given up at 40? I love your spirit …hope it’s contageous.

Dear Margaret & Helen,
why the hell won’t Sarah Palin go away? The election is over. Doesn’t she have work to get caught up on? A shotgun wedding to plan?

Ladies – Bless you both! Talk about Straight Talk Express. This is it in spades – with humor, insight, and intellect besides. This is my first visit to your site – wish I had known of it earlier. I will return often. Thank you.

I’m curious, what do you think of this essay: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gail-hamburg/post_232_b_143676.html

by the way, aerin, however you make the tea, boil two cups of sugar in one cup of water for a few minutes — then the sugar will stay dissolved. You can add syrup to the tea, or let people sweeten their tea.

Ok, you’re real. I switch opinions about every fifteen minutes or so. So, here’s a topic for you: Obama’s safety. I live in nutcase Georgia. The south ain’t all that nice a place to live, even if we do have good manners. Most of us have crazy relatives who keep their kkk robes in the same closet as their choir robes.

OMG, you are so funny! My g/f posted one of your blogs on MSRefugees.com, and geesh! That post is on fire,lol!!

Everyone now has your site bookmarked, including ME! I’m so thankful she posted it, otherwise we would never have known…

And btw, MSRefugees is a site for ppl w/Multiple Sclerosis. It’s about the only site most of us visit, but NOT ANYMORE!!

YOU ROCK!! BIG TIME!

DIANE

Hi Helen—I would like to know how you would deal with a husband that for 37 years has been liberal, and we have had the same beliefs and suddenly he has become an old —you know, one of ‘those’—Republicans. Suddenly we are arguing about offshore drilling—abortion and gay rights. It is getting on my last nerve—-

Margaret & Helen,

When are the great people of Alaska going to impeach Governor Palin?

1 – She violated state ethics laws and abused her position of power to get her former brother-in-law fired from his position as a state police officer

2 – She unlawfully abused her authority by firing AK’s public safety commisioner

3 – She illegally released a state employee’s personal information – a misdemeanor in AK

4 – She allowed her husband illegal access to confidential personnel files, documents, and e-mails. She also allowed him to sit in on many of her meetings, including those executive sessions in which confidential matters were discussed.

5 – She used state travel funds to stay at home, charging AK taxpayers $16,951 to stay in her own home in Wasilla (a per diem expense that’s meant for hotel stays while on official business…she even charged the stated each night that she stayed at home for 8 weeks after her baby was born, yet claims she never took “maternity leave”)…and she charged another $19,000 to eat meals in her own home (the per diem meant to pay for restaurant meals while on business trips.)

I understand the need for governors to charge the state a per diem for business trips, but when you’re living at home, you don’t pay yourself for living at home — it’s so unethical that a former AK state senator resigned over ONE NIGHT at home that he charged to the state.

6 – She charged the state per diem expenses for herself & her entire family for working on Thanksgiving Day 2007 — they attended a a state college basketball tournament

7 – She charged AK taxpayers nearly $75,000 to fly her husband and children around the state – claiming they were doing “state business” (if that’s the case, then she should be prosectured for violating child labor laws)

8 – Her husband charges AK taxpayers a “daily allowance” for official business & business trips that he conducts for his wife…while at the same time leading state movements to convince AK taxpayers to secede from the US

9 – The state of AK donated $25,000 to the Juneau Christian Teen Center, a ministry of the church Palin & her family attend when they’re in Juneau (how’s that for separation of church & state!?!)

Obviously, some of these things are just unethical (though not necessarily illegal) – but at least numbers 1-4 are ILLEGAL and enough grounds for impeachment.

So, Margaret & Helen, will you do all of America a HUGE favor and inspire Alaskan citizens to lead a grassroots effort to impeach their “good ‘ole girl” governor so that we can breathe easier about election 2012? (She’s obviously already started her campaign speeches for ‘12.)

You ladies are fantastic! Thank you for your honesty and truefullness, Palin is a bitch, and The View, in my opinion is an insult to intellegent women everywhere! Thanks for your input.

smteaches-
I think Helen is ready to move past our nasty governor.
Sad to say, I’m afraid too many Alaskans are too, at this point. Lots of noise from incoming majority in Senate points to back-burnering the issues. The warring Troopergate investigations SHOULD be worked through but I am afraid ,at present , the will is not there in the legislature and not yet enough in populace.

If you look at the voting map for our federal Senator (still undecided) on Anchorage Daily News online you will see that almost the whole state voted blue BUT we lack the number of votes -most of the time -to override “Palin country” in the Mat-Su Valley.

A whole lot of us are watching the gov very carefully now. There are some peculiarly Alaskan issues that will surface in next year or two… Hope we manage to dump her over them. We are gonna try.

I would love some comments from you concerning retiree’s money or lack thereof now that the market is down 40% and so many of us had (have) our retirement in stocks and bonds. I just need someone with guts to help me open my October statements!

‘But honestly, I’d be thrilled if you debated the merits of pecan versus pumpkin pie!’

Why not have 2 of each? That’s what I do, along with 4 chocolate, 2 apple and one random pie each Thanksgiving. I used to make 4 pumpkin pies, but I was overwhelmed by requests for the chocolate. I also used to make a coconut cream pie, but it was my mother’s favorite, and after she died I just didn’t have the heart to make it anymore.

@ smteaches

Please check out Mudflats.wordpress.com for a look at a grassroots movement in Alaska against S Palin and other crooks they seem to breed up there in the cold.

Susan in CA

Dear Margaret and Helen,

I’d love your opinion on juggling families through the holidays. Every year we have a challenge, because my spouse’s mother wants us to come stay for a day or two (she lives a couple of hours away), and my mother lives in town and I am her only family. They are both crazy, so we can’t just take my mom with us. Additionally, neither one seems satisfied with doing the holiday a few days earlier or later. And we will have a child soon, so that would complicate things even more.

As mothers and grandmothers, what would be your suggestion on handling this with tact, and not hurting feelings too much? ie…what would you like to hear from your kids if they had to set up a schedule that you didn’t like?

Dear Smart Hilarious Ladies,

What’s the name of the ship you’re on in the masthead? My family and I nearly died of heat prostration in Wilmington on the Battleship North Carolina a couple of summers ago and I’d swear you’re rolling across the deck of that same ship. We were several decks below and taking refuge in the cooling blasts of 100 degree air that occasional fans were sending from on deck to the decks below, where temps were closer to 120. It definitely wasn’t wheelchair accessible, so be glad if you didn’t go down below… it was the closest to hell I hope I ever get!!!

i heard that AIG is giving some of it’s top execs 500mil in bonuses.
aren’t these the saem top execs that ran the company into the ground?
aren’t they getting billions from the treasury as a bailout
how do we stop these criminals from looting our children’s future?

KV – You can have more than one career. It sounds like the one you want right now is homemaker and parent. If your family is lucky enough to be able to do this, they should thank you along with your community where you are volunteering.
I spent most of my son’s growing up years as a single parent. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the work at home moms who helped out at school, etc, when I could not. You made his school experience better.

Feminism is women choosing their work according to their talents and interests, and the needs of their families. Humanism is PERSONS choosing their work according to their talents and interests, and the needs of their families. Maybe it’s time to be more Humanist?

smteaches-
Don’t give up… We aren’t. The gov has NOT returned to the same state she threw under the bus to go after VP slot.

http://community.adn.com/adn/node/134626

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/111808/let_357333834.shtml

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/111708/opi_356933612.shtml

Poke around here some . Read letters to editor on adn.com … Keep us in your thoughts! We’re trying!
Keep an eye on Mudflats too…ALL over the state, we are trying!

I found this in my email

JOB – URINE TEST
(Whoever wrote this one deserves a HUGE pat on the back!)

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ASS, doing drugs, while I work. . . . Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don’t. Hope you all will pass it along, though . . . Something has to change in this country — and soon!!!!!

guess we could title that program, ‘Urine or You’re Out’.

A Letter to the CEOs
Date:
November 19, 2008 07:43:35 PM PST
Dear Margaret and Helen.

following is a letter which I wrote today to the CEO’s of GM, Chrysler, and Ford. I’m pretty sure that it will end up in the circular file, but it made me feel a little better to write it. I wondered what you thought of this latest drama? I truly admire your insight, opinions, and humor! Thanks for just being out there!

Andrea

From: “Andrea M Berry-St.Pierre”
Date: November 19, 2008 01:56:51 PM PST
Subject: A Letter to the CEO

Dear Sirs,

Let me say first that I am writing to you today because I am absolutely Disgusted with all of you, and I am no longer willing to just sit in my home and watch the news and feel sad. I am young, I am highly educated, I am profitable, I am an American, and I am Very, Very angry. As one of the millions of American Citizens to whom you are pleading for help I feel that I have a right, and a duty to communicate my anger and outrage with you.

You have failed. You have failed not only yourselves and your employees, but you have failed your Nation. Shame on you. Your practices (past and present) and “standard operating procedure” have placed your employees, and those other millions directly affected by the American auto industry in grave fiscal danger. Actually, let’s be real; your employees are literally fighting for their lives. Not to mention the additional devastating burden your failed practices have placed on the general American financial crisis and thus the crises all Americans are facing.

As revealed during today’s congressional hearings you flew to Washington, D.C. to Beg the American public for bridge loan funds (i.e. a Bailout). You ALL made this flight in your private jets. In so doing you once again made a decision to place “Standard Operating Procedure” (i.e. comfort, and greed) over common sense or a sense of Common Decency. What is wrong with you people? Really? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

You are desperately trying to rationalize these expenditures, but COME ON! the majority of us are actually Not stupid!
Some of the responses given by your PR folks to address this issue were as follows:

Chrysler spokeswoman Lori McTavish said in a statement, “while always being mindful of company costs, all business travel requires the highest standard of safety for all employees.”

Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker pointed to the company’s travel policy

and finally,

“Making a big to-do about this when issues vital to the jobs of millions of Americans are being discussed in Washington is diverting attention away from a critical debate that will determine the future health of the auto industry and the American economy,” GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said in a statement.

Mr. Wilkinson/ GM clearly doesn’t understand that “this” type of practice is exactly what has created a business climate of excess which has DIRECTLY led to issues “vital to the jobs of millions of Americans”. This type of standard business “practice”, “perk”, “procedure” – is EXACTLY WHY you are in the mess that you’re in. Your business practices, your excessiveness, your over-indulgences – your need for excessive profit vs. profitable practicality and forward thinking – have caused you to run your companies into the ground.

Did none of you read the reports generated over the past fifteen years regarding fuel sustainability, world-wide energy usage, American oil dependence or the need for more progressive standards within the American Auto industry? Why is it that I am still watching advertisements on television (today – November, 19, 2008; running – by the way – in and around your televised testimony before Congress….. talk about irony….) touting the benefits of large trucks and SUVs when what I really need is a company who will sell us a fuel-efficient/hybrid car that won’t require a second mortgage to finance? Did it not occur to you (10+ years ago) to increase production of fuel-efficient/environmentally responsible cars, spend your advertising dollars marketing THOSE to the public, increase your productivity based on the the clear demand for such vehicles and keep your workforce in business? OH – RIGHT… that would have created merely Huge Profit, vs. Excessively Huge Profit – — and Payback from your friends within the oil industry.

And Ms. McTavish/ Chrysler: Mindful of company costs? REALLY? Are you three on a terrorist hit list? (Well, I mean as of your flights the other day; because quite frankly you probably are on a few of them as of today’s revelations). Is this why you need private jet travel? Or are you just afraid of being poisoned by the regular airline peanuts like the rest of us? By the way, where did you all stay during your trip? Did you stay in a very nice, upscale hotel or does bunking it with friends or at the Holiday Inn constitute more danger for you all?

My point, if not already crystal clear, is this: Things MUST change. NOW. Actually, Yesterday. At the very least YOU – ALL THREE OF YOU – Alan Mulally of Ford, Robert Nardelli of Chrysler and Richard Wagoner of GM – should do some serious soul-searching and consider changing your “standard operating procedure”.

Finally, not one of you should be celebrating the holidays in anything but a frugal manner when the majority of us are struggling to keep up with food, gas, and heating costs despite our hard work. You would be well advised to consider, as you clearly near the end of your careers with these companies, about what you can do to salvage some morsel of Honor for your people and the American public.

If the tone of this letter seems slightly angry, slightly outraged, slightly – say – belligerent…. well, you are correct. I am FURIOUS and I am pretty darned sure that most of the American public (and don’t even get us started on what the Europeans think about you) agree with these sentiments.

Signed,

Andrea M. Berry-St.Pierre

Hey! Um, p.s. – can either Margaret or Helen’s Grandson/Nephew please edit out my home address and phone number on the previous post as I actually just meant for this info to be transmitted to the CEOs in case they desperately needed to get in touch with me about my opinions! Thanks! – Andrea (at the anonymous address/info in South Dartmouth!).

Since the Goverment has bailed out all of the large lending agencies why doesn’t the goverment require all loans not to be paid by us consumers for lets say a month.
I bet that would jump start the economy once again. Just allowing people like myself that there income has demished an oportunity to catch up and re-budget. Anyways just a thought.

I would like to know what your children think of your blog. Do they love it (as we all do?) or are they post-teen mortified by everything their parents say and do??

P.S. — Clinton’s cat was named Socks, not Boots.

Your blog has attracted quite a large number of intelligent and well spoken readers who apparently needed an outlet such as this. Thank you.
I was hoping you might add at the bottom of each blog a request for these readers to submit their ideas to Obama’s transitional website. Check it out.
http://www.change.gov

I’m tired of Dr’s who look at us and then our charts, and decide everything we are talking about is just old age! So I am 79, I have been teaching, use my compupter, read voraciously , have hobbies, etc. So I am currently in a Board and CAre REsidence, doesnt mean my brain is dead!!
I grew u p induring the Depression and am working on writing things I remember about. My mother had a garden, canned everything she could. That’s how we ate well during the Depression. She was a good cook too. My Aunt said she knew just how far down she could water the left over gravy to keep the taste when unexpected company arrived for Sunday supper!
I too am in love with you Ladies.ONe of these days y ou may oopen your front door and find it full to overflowing with many of us ocme for iced tead and cake and chat! Wouldn’t that be something!!
Keep it up Margaret and Helen, so keep can keep a grip on or sanity.

hi girls-

now i know you said no more sarah, but can you really resist commenting on the turkey video??!!

Just thought of something else I wanted to ask you about. What do you think about the UT football player being cut from the team for making hateful comments on his Facebook page about Barack Obama?

Hi Helen and Margaret – I don’t have a question, just wanted to let you both know how much I enjoy your funny and insightful posts. I’ve just found your blog and I wish I was going to Helen’s house for Thanksgiving – or really, since I’m a quilter too, I’d like to sit, sew and talk. You both are so wonderful, thanks for the smiles, laughs and right on picture of politics today. By the way, I can’t stand Elizabeth on the View either, but there might be hope for her yet, she’s just young. Hopefully when her brain developes she’ll get some sense. )

Margaret and Helen, I have a problem. My mother-in-law is huge. HUGE. She is as nice as can be. I love her dearly. The problem is she has broken several chairs in our house. I am embarassed for her. I am dreading Thanksgiving this year. Any suggestions on the seating arrangement…other than having her sit on a stack of bricks???

From Alaskapi: At any rate, humor as a human activity…Is it a stand alone without responsibility for collateral damage activity like some of the posters over in T-day post seem to be saying? Should it be inclusive mostly? What are the risks of getting exclusive in our humor?

IMO, only standup comics can get away with humor with no regard to collateral damage. Racist ‘humor’ has no place at all. Humor that pokes fun, as opposed to ridicule or hurt, is ok I guess if you know the audience. I guess that know your audience is key to all humor. Sometimes it’s just not the place to use humor.

That said, I truly believe that life is way too important to be taken so seriously. Really. Humor, especially when aimed at oneself, can do a lot to make life better. Most of my attempts at humor are directed at myself, because I know how I’m going to take it. Out in the world there are too many variables.

In a former paying gig, I took it upon myself to be ‘morale’ officer in my department (which was extremely dreary one in state government) and I started publishing a newsletter. It was mostly pretty smart-a** but also included information on what was going on in the department, in the world of our field, and in the state government too. I reported on who went to lunch with whom, how many times our tech guys had to come up, when we could expect bagels or donuts in the break room and stuff like that. Even the director, who was pretty humorless, liked it and commended me for my initiative. People actually looked forward to it, and it was passed around to other areas. Fortunately I left that job before it caught up with me!

So laugh at yourself. It makes a big difference.

Bless you, M&H, for this community!

Helen & Margaret,
I was just notified by my Congressman that the innauguration tickets I requested from him have been awarded to me!! My husband’s 50th b-day is Jan. 20th and I would love to take him to D.C. for this historic event. Unfortunately, my husband lost his job and was out of work for 7 months. He has returned to work, thankfully, and though money has been tighter than usual, we have been able to keep our financial obligations current. My question is, should we regretfully decline and give up these tickets to this historical event? Or should we flip a coin and see which of us sells the kidney? By the way, do you have a doubleheaded coin I could borrow?

In the spirit of the “Holidays,” I thought it might be interesting to hear your perspective on the issue that Fox News brings up every year — the so-called “war on Christmas” where stores and merchants say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

(I need to go buy a black lace bra)

‘MAYA ANGELOU’S’

BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
enough
money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
something
perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour…

A WOMAN SHOULD
HAVE .
a youth she’s content to leave behind….

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a past juicy
enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her
old age….
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
one friend who
always makes her laugh.. and one who lets her cry…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
a good piece
of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her
family…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
eight
matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for
a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a feeling of
control over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD
KNOW…
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit
a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend
without;
ruining the friendship…

EVERY WOMAN
SHOULD KNOW…
when to try harder… and WHEN TO WALK
AWAY…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents. .

EVERY WOMAN SHOUL D KNOW…
that her
childhood may not have been perfect…but it’s over…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she
would and wouldn’t do for love or more…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW….
how to live
alone… even if she doesn’t like it…

EVERY
WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
where to
go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table..
or a
charming Inn in the woods….
when her soul needs
soothing…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a
month…and a year..

Be yourself…everyone else is
already
taken.

Where’s vice president Cheney been hiding? We haven’t seen him or heard from him in months!!! No pictures of him at the white house, no appearances during the presidential campaign! Where is he???

Katie – - No decision here, girlfriend…this is THE most historic innauguration in the existence of our country, let alone in our lifetime!

Find everything in your house that is still useful but you’re no longer using, put it all up on Craigslist pronto and GO!

smteaches – thanks for that great idea about craigslist. I think we are leaning towards going, have decided to do minimal xmas gifts for each other and for our families and friends as well. And have requested that any gifts to us be in the form of Visa gift cards to help offset our expenses to go. How could we not go? Life is too short to have regrets. We actually saw the Obama’s at a rally in Springfiled, MO, got within 30 feet of the podium, it was great! If we make it, I will post photos.
Have a wonderful holiday season!

How about opinion from Helen & Margaret on new movies coming out this season?

Two suggestions:

1) Please arrange for the option to donate to your blog. If you end up with more money than it takes to offset the considerable time you spend on the blog, you can always donate it to Alaskans for Truth or whatever.

2) Stay away from discussions of Hillary. Some of her supporters cannot tolerate any criticism of her whatsoever, and will soon trash a blog site or, as they do on other message boards with like-minded moderators, get the poster banned. They organize in groups and target specific posters or blogs at one time, and I would predict that they would send a gazillion complaints to the WordPress overlords.

Hey Helen,
Have you heard this? Palin house possibly built by contractors as part of a Sports Complex deal she made ($12.5M). If true, she makes Ted Stevens look like an amateur.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/11/111018/34/47/627460

Helen and Margaret,
I think you should tell us about your favorite pair of shoes.

What do you think of some Catholic priests telling their congregations they can’t participate in communion if they voted for Obama and they should confess it as a mortal sin because of Obama’s pro-choice position?

I would LOVE to see Helen and Margaret on Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO when he returns from hiatus. You ladies would be so perfect for that show! Cussing is allowed, too! Helen is way funnier than the Fruitcake Lady on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, but I think she might be too much for Jay! LOL
Seriously. Look into it. My husband and I watch every episode of Maher’s show, and we want to see you on it. Just email the show’s producer with a link to the blog, and you will be a shoe-in. Get ready for your close-up, ladies!

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-conscience2-2008dec02,0,7013690.story

What do you ladies think about this LA Times article about a new medical refusal rule? This is something that the Bush administration is trying to push through at the last minute. It’s frightening to me but I wanted to see what you thought about it. Ah, Republicans – formerly for personal freedoms and small government – now for whatever they can get to make them more righteous!

I think a fun blog would be your christmas list – anything special you want from Santa

So, Jim Martin lost. I hope you shit your diaper, you old bore.

Will Krpka- not funny! If you were seated around our table and we had a political disagreement and a heated argument would you say that to your elderly hostess?

I do not know if this will take you to the story, but it sounds legit. During a mission, he got out of a chopper, saw a grenade and picked it up. In the hospital, he said he thought it might be his, but another soldier later (twenty years later) admitted it was his grenade. Here is the story, which I found via Google: The True Story of Max Cleland’s Vietnam Injuries — A BuzzFlash Reader Commentary

By the way, I agree that it does not matter how he lost his limbs, but a lie is still a lie and they are too good at repeating them even when you prove them wrong.

Dear Margaret and Helen:
I just wanted to let you know that with regard to Palin, I am very much on the same page with you. I just want her to stay in Alaska and take care of her family, instead of constantly doing whatever she can to get herself in the press. I can’t look at her anymore, but you can keep on writing whenever you need to and I will read.
Love you.

Helen, after reading your response to Greg of Minnesota, I must say that if you were gay and lived by me, I’d be all over you… I LOVE YOU!

I have 2 sons, 5 grandbabies (too young to do squat ‘cept maybe 2), 6 siblings with 15 kids, a Dad and a step-mom. We all care about the future of the world and therefore, even the staunch Republicans couldn’t bring themselves to vote McCain. They don’t hate the Repub party – they hate what it has become. My question to you is what can we do as Americans besides bitch about Palin? She’s getting away with next to murder with her behavior. She shouldn’t even be in politics. I was raised with no matter what party you were with ethics, values, morals mattered. How do we get back to that? Or did my parents raise me in a fantasy world? What can I do to help (o:

Please flip flop the way you post responses, with the newest ones first. Some of us can’t read the entire blog in one sitting (work and pesky stuff like that), and it sure would be easier to start at the top and read back to where we were last time. Thanks for being.

Hi Helen,

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Black Friday, and give us suggestions on how to take back the holidays.

I love reading you. I want my best friend and I to be you and Margaret some day!

Dear Margaret and Helen,

I would love for you to share your thoughts on female clergy. Though my own denomination has been ordaining women for over 50 years, it is still a hot issue in this country. Even progressive minded folks have trouble with women leading worship and preaching. Much like a woman’s place in the home, many have concrete thoughts on a woman’s place in the church.

I am currently in Divinity School and plan to be ordained. Daily I receive comments about my future vocation, whether about my gender, age, or just religion in general. Because the status of women has been a major focus of your blog, this question offers a continuation of the topic.

Thanks for considering this topic,
Blair

Hi Margaret and Helen,

I am wondering what you think of the latest tragedy in Texas. The Feds in the Department of Justice did a report that is a scathing observation on the way Texas treats their fellow humans that have developmental disabilities. Interestingly, they talk a lot about jobs, but I believe that it all comes down to human rights.

Texas is violating federal civil rights laws. And I do not want to throw away my 19 year old daughter to an institution. However, Texas has waiting lists that are about 12 years long to get funding for community-based services. Charlotte has only been on the list 7 years, so we have years more to wait. We rank 50th in the nation for funding community-based services. And good old Rick Perry has balanced our state budget on the backs of people with disabilities who are being abused and neglected at the hands of the state.

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/12/04/1204schools_edit.html

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120308dntexstateschools.241fc085.html

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2008Dec03/0,4675,TexasMentalHospitals,00.html

Thanks so much for your insight and the laughs!

Hi Helen! Left a comment on your latest post in regards to this but I’d love your thoughts on Bristol’s pregnancy. She’s due in 2 weeks…if she is in fact pregnant. No recent pictures or updates since Palin lost. Hmm…

Margaret and Helen, You ladies are fabulous! I hope that I am half as fun as you ladies are when I am your age. I would like to ask a favor though. I check you website every day and the last three posts have said all of the same things, you aren’t making any new argument about Palin. I suggest you let the idiots keep spewing their BS and you ladies move on to something more current and less boring. You mention in every post that you don’t want to leave this world in worse shape for your grand children, well do something positive. Mention some of the good in the world, find charities or organizations that are doing amazing things and give them kudos. Or research organizations that aren’t all they have cracked up to be and make sure the world knows about it. Find more relevant political or social news to talk about. ANYTHING but one more post on Palin and her ridiculous antics.

Thanks for listening to my rant!
Carisa

Helen, you are a national treasure and a breath of fresh air. I agree with you in almost every respect and I respect your courage in letting it all hang out and telling it like it is. I wish you would make the rounds of some of the talk shows to spread the word.

Dear Margaret and Helen,

This past Sunday I read an article in the LA Times that I just haven’t been able to shake.

It was about Zimbabwe and the horrible hunger that is happenning over there. Mugabe it seems was democratically removed from office but won’t go (hopefully he doesn’t talk to the shrub) and he and his party keep all the food aid from getting to those who need it. Yeah, unfortunately we’ve heard this over and over again. What I haven’t been able to shake is the story about a woman who was so desperate she went out to the bush picked fruit she knew was poisonous, cooked it up and fed it to her four children and herself. It makes me cry just to write this. WHY aren’t we hearing more about this? Why isn’t this a cause for invading a sovereign country? How as two mature women have you continued on so positively in the face of the horribleness of our species?

You’re gonna love this:

The more America hates Palin, the more Republicans love her.

Link

“Those Palin numbers are as hilarious as she is. Republicans worship her, the rest of us (including our independent friends) think she is an embarrassment to humanity. It’s a win-win! They’re happy with Palin, and we’re happy that she continues to repulse independents, thus making them unelectable.

Those Palin numbers illustrate, better than anything else, just how far rank-and-file Republicans have strayed from mainstream America. They’ve literally relegated themselves to fringe status.”

Δ

Aloha again and sorry for posting so soon, but I just found an interview with Joe the Celebrity Plumber, and he’s a class act in and of himself. I think he was raised by Homer Simpson. I would love to hear your commentary about the hero that McCain and Palin loved to talk about.

Here’s the link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/09/joe-the-plumber-mccain-ap_n_149723.html

Honolulu Sally – I love your comment about JTP being raised by Homer Simpson!

To Margaret and Helen, thank you again and again. Now for the most important question of this holiday season – Why do people give fruitcake?

Margaret and Helen, I found your blog during the SP ruckus. I started my own blog, but yours is so much better.

Please go to this blog and read it thoroughly. It’s by a lady named Audrey who has found absolute proof that SP’s pregnancy was fake. Audrey is very logical, thoughtful and thorough. Would love your thoughts on her evidence. I am wondering why it is taking the media so long to publish this information.
http://chihuahuasforchange.blogspot.com/2008/12/excellent-blog-httpwwwpalindeceptioncom.html

My blogis chihuahuasforchange
Audrey’s is palindeception.com

Join The Million Shoe March

The net is just full of comedy about the really big shoe this morning. Old one-liners that refer to shoes are being recycled everywhere to good effect, and a few Republican Patriots are weighing in with steel-toed jackboots of their own. Stiletto heels for Condoweezie? LMAO!

But here’s the real punch line: let’s all send Bush a shoe or two for Christmas. Here’s the address:

President George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Extra props for manure-encrusted farm boots lolz.

Julia – ya know no matter how some folks try, they simply cannot get their whites white. I think that’s the case of the jerk in PA – should we spend time discussing his BS? Methinks not. Pity the children.

I’d like to hear you opinion on the choice of the conservative evangelical pastor for the invocation during the Obama inauguration.

I love your blog and your honest evaluation of the current political and social scene.
Which brings up a question: Have you seen the latest Arby’s commercial? The one where the guy has an Arby’s logo erection when his wife walks into the bedroom carrying his special birthday treat, while he reclines on the bed, in a candlelit bedroom.
I wrote to Arby’s and told them that without their name in front of their logo, it’s a freakin’ penis! Anyhow, here’s a link to their site where the logo is..um..featured, without anything masking its shape: http://web.sa.mapquest.com/arbys/advantage.adp?tempset=search. I’d love to hear your take on this! BTW, I asked them at least to put a thong or a condom on the darned thing.
With all admiration,
Jan C.

Helen, I love your blog & would be interested in hearing your thoughts on 2 stories I read in todays Houston paper. 1 – that the U.S. won’t back the U.N. action on the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality and 2 – the administrations new regulation that protects health-care workers who refuse to provide services that they believe violates their persona, moral or religious beliefs. Outrages!

Hello Margaret and Helen,

The recipe post was great! An Idea to consider!

We are getting a new President – FINALLY!

How about a post about: Goodbye, GW and hello to Hope.

We could use it as a place to 1. get out the venom still there with the Bush mistakes 2. Get some hopeful comments about President Obama.

There is a lot to hate about Bush, Cheney, Rove and other idiots – still feel the need to rip into the fools.

Enjoy your time away from the puter.

M & H:

I am sure you get emails from young women in their 30’s all the time who express this sentiment: YOU TWO ROCK AND I CAN’T WAIT TO BE YOU! What I am curious about (and would like you to address in a future blog) is how you were when you were in your 30’s and younger? It just seems hard to wrap my brain around white women in the 1950’s being so ultra tolerant, progressive and unabashedly liberal. Perhaps it is just youth, but I thought that white girls like you didn’t start to surface until the 70’s or later, if at all. Can we get a blog detailing if much has changed in your political views, your voice and world views since you were young? I am awfully intrigued about who you were when you were my age. I am proud of the woman I am and feel like I am true to myself, but often wonder if there will be a magical age when I am wildly outspoken and irreverant in a way that truly says: “I don’t care what you think; here I am!”

Hi Margaret and Helen,

Like so many who have commented here, I enjoy your words of wisdom and wit. I don’t have a question so much as a request.

You see, I am an American (from Montana) who married a Palestinian man, who was born and raised in Gaza. While we live in North America, most all of his family, including our 29 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews, some as young as a few months, still live in Gaza, and are currently suffering from the violence between Hamas and Israel.

As a young American, I have never felt so helpless to do anything. What should we do in times like these, when loved ones are so threatened and there is so little we can do? My sisters and brothers in law tell my husband of how scared their children are, how panicked, not sleeping or eating. I am their aunt; I love them and want to look out for them. I just don’t know what to do, beyond getting the news out there.

I guess you know that I would appreciate your addressing this subject on your blog. If not, I understand. I know we are all hoping for a peaceful world in this new year, and having hope is the most important thing of all.

For peace,
Alice

Hi again, sorry I sent my post without finishing #2:

Can you believe, Chip Saltsman, who wants to be RNC chairman, distributed a CD to RNC members with a song on it called “Barack the Magic Negro?” Apparently it was first aired on Limbaugh, no surprise. How can people with views like this become leaders in America?

Hi Helen and Margaret!

I’d like your take on “Undecided We Stand: the legacy of GWBush” that’s a current NPR headline. That’s written as if anyone with half a brain could be undecided about this dangerous nitwit and his more dangerous, power-hungry, greedy, and amoral band of handlers, cronies, and henchmen.

Moreover, your take on prosecuting these men who have repeatedly defied the Constitution they swore to uphold and protect.

Wishing and working for peace in our time!

Hi Ladies

Just wondered if you heard that Sarah Palin thinks that Caroline Kennedy will not be scrutinized the way SHE was because of …..

……wait for it……

CLASS!! See the link below:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090108/pl_politico/17217

Keep up the good work!

Thanks possibleparadox – and why the hell isn’t the US media reporting on this kind of thing?

Well, well, ladies: I have to post this in two places hoping you’ll read this! It’s making ME NUTS:

OMG Helen! Here’s something that will really rile you up: Elizabeth Hasselback invited to spent 15 minutes with W. in the OVAL OFFICE this past weekend!! WTF!!!!!!! Doesn’t he have, ummm, a few problems to attend to…and why on earth is SHE the one he is talking to??

From paper today…
“Elisabeth Hasselbeck enjoyed a private visit with President Bush in one of his final days in the White House, she told her co-hosts of “The View” Monday morning.

“After being snubbed for the White House Christmas Party, Elisabeth and her family traveled to DC over the weekend, where they got 15 minutes alone with the President in the Oval Office.”

opsss, I wanted to write the previous comment in another place, I opened the tab of you blog instead of the other tab I want to comment in. Please erase the previous comment.

Dear Helen,

I loved your comments about Rush Limbaugh and the “big deal”. The problem I have is that I went to Rush’s site (as repulsive as it is) and could find nothing even close to the quote you cite. Can you tell me where to find it? I don’t want to pass on your wonderful blog posting if the info is not correct.

Thank you so much

Dear Helen in particular,
We are degenerating into a pie fight over in the parlour/porch.
I have much appreciated the wide latitude you have allowed here to explore what these ideas mean in real actions in our lives, along with the much needed clarity of your own ideas as a spur to keep it all going. If we should issue ourselves pink slips for wandering in such wide loops around the subjects, please let us know.
Will find other outlets for yapping about Rural America for my own part…
Thank you for your enduring hospitality.

Margaret,
When are you going to suggest that your loyal bloggers contact their Representatives and their Senators and demand prosecution?

Please do so. I mean it. Really

Karen

Now that I’ve had another minute to think about it, I think we should take OUR plane to fly in supplies to Emmonak and other towns.

Never mind my last post…here it is…again, “poor babies.” They even bought it in FRANCE, not AMERICA! SHAME ON THEM!!!

http://consumerist.com/5139484/bailed-out-citigroup-stimulates-french-economy-by-purchasing-50-million-corporate-jet

Dear Margaret,

Where are you in TX? I want to take you to lunch someday!

Margaret and Helen, any thoughts on the Wall Street bonuses for 2008? I thought bonuses were meant as rewards for good performance? What did Wall Street do for this planet in 2008 to get rewarded for?

Hello ladies,

I would love to hear your take on the financial mess we are in. In particular, what do you think of the bonuses paid by certain companies to their “high performing” executives? Thank you.

Where can I get an M&H shirt…?
Luv u guys….

Carlos

Hi! You’re invited to the Global Bible Expo….

By: sword44.blogspot.com

Hi Margaret and Helen,

I wonder if you couldn’t discuss the career of Joe the Plumber, which these days involves precious little plumbing, and ironically, he probably IS making a tidy sum. I seem to recall he had a problem paying taxes too. Well anyway, I hear tell from over at the Michael Moore website that now he’s a GOP adviser. I guess if they want to keep losing elections, they should listen to him.

I especially liked how he was a war correspondent and complained about the job that war correspondents do.

Does he seriously not understand what a total jackass he is? When does his book come out? If I was a Republican, I wouldn’t be encouraging him, but it seems he’s going to address House Republicans… BECAUSE HE WAS INVITED.

Will you be my grandmas? Thank you for making me laugh (and think).

Dear M&H,

You had a post about soup recently. I like soup, too. My favorite is creamy potato soup. I haven’t been able to make, or find at a local restaurant, a really good one. Do you happen to have a decent recipe?

Here’s a link to the Bacon Explosion recipe:

http://www.bbqaddicts.com/bacon-explosion.html

I hope you enjoy the results.

This ought to make you as giddy as a young girl on prom night.

Ann Coulter is under investigation for voter fraud.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/08/ann-coulter-under-investi_n_165007.html

Ladies, from one Grandma to two others, I salute you. I live in Arizona, where the Republican politicos appear to think that we gave up our right to an opinion when we started collecting Social Security. Ann Coulter is an insult to any intelligent woman, whatever her age. All I can say is, Thank the good Lord she didn’t reproduce!! Keep the Neo-Cons feet to the fire. They all have a lot to answer for.

When you’re done with Coulter, would you take on Rush (I am the King of the GOP) Limbaugh in the same manner?

I’d love to see your thoughts on his ongoing idiotic take on the country and it’s current political positions.

Love ya!

I don’t believe this man.

Even though he LOOKS like Richard Dreyfuss…LOL…

What an idiotic sign to put on your vehicle. Of COURSE he should be investigated further…

As should Andy Coulter…LOL LOL

Dear Helen:

I would very much like to request that you watch two (2) HBO programs, and if you feel that one or the other or both deserve your comment and suggestion that EVERYONE should watch these programs, then you will, in my opinion, be doing a great service to many people in this country, as well as those who read and follow your blog in other countries.

The two HBO programs are:

“Taking Chance” starring Kevin Bacon. In my opinion, a “must see” by every single American citizen. Be sure you have nearby several handkerchiefs, or a box of Kleenex or Puffs, or whatever your choice. You’ll need plenty.

“Right America: Feeling Wronged”, a documentary filmed by Nancy Pelosi’s daughter. I don’t want to say too much, but will say this — I was stunned, but more frightened than anything else, by the level of hatred shown in this piece.

I do so hope you make the choice to watch both of these worthwhile HBO films, and look forward to your comments thereafter.

Thanks so much. I mean it, really !!

/

I was just introduced to your blog and I LOVE it!
Your musings are my musings when it comes to politics. I read a little more every day. I have but one question…what is an ass hat?

hmmmm
I just commented on your new post, went back to see what others had said, poof! It was gone!

Smartie,

You must live in a pretty small world. I am middle aged and I will admit that I didn’t know what an Ass Hat was until I started reading Margaret’s blogs, so I looked it up. Now that I know, I may use it from time to time. “I do not believe anybody in their EIGHTIES knows, has ever heard, or would repeat the phrase ‘ASS HAT’” is a pretty ridiculous generalization. Where on earth do you live? Someplace where all of the older people are naive and puritanical?

M&H:

What do you think about Glenn Beck and Chuck Norris talking about seceding from the Union and that the movement will start in Texas? They are giving Texas a bad rap. I do not believe Chuck Norris speaks for the majority of Texans.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/9/22263/22336/239/706594

Dear Margaret and Helen:

My best friend and I have been best friends for 13 years now and we’re turning 30 this year. We have a couple of awesome things in the works, but do you have any rockin’ suggestions to take it to the next level?

Margaret and Helen, I just read a blog on Conde-Nast Portfolio that says that Ann Coulter’s new Book, “Guilty” is rapidly tanking. “Headed south” was the term used. You should be so very proud. You took one for the team for reading it and reporting back to us and now there is a brand new star in you crown. Bless you.

I wish you talked about how to change America’s image in the world. I think the passport control must be one of the first places to start. I travel a lot and American borders have been the unfriendliest and rudest especially starting with the first Bush administration. Here’s what happened to me just recently:

I just returned to the U.S from an overseas vacation. I am a legal resident of the United States. I was travelling with my boyfried so, since they always ask at the border “are you travelling with someone?”, we were in front of a U.S. passport controller together. He asked if we were married and we said no. He looked at us like we were scum, and looked at him and pointed the line without a word. After hesitation, we guessed that he wanted him to go back in line, so he did. Then he started to go through my passport and said “huh! wow!” After a minute passed, he said to me “you don’t look like this photo at all.” It’s been almost 15 years since that photo was taken and I said so. But let me assure you, I DO look like that photo. It is impossible not to realize that person and I are the same one. Let’s say hid just did not see that. But for the next 10 minutes, he did not ask me for another indentification or anything, he did not ask me any other question about my identity if that was his problem, he just talked about how miserable I look now! He kept on saying, “What happened to you? Your job must be very stressful to make you look like that. Wow!” It was so obvious that he was trying to intimidate me and get a negative reaction from me so that he would continue his bullying with even more insult and hopefully (by him) more serious consequences. I am a 39 year old woman who has a very respectable position in society and I contribute to the wellness of American life. I certainly did not deserve this. And I have heard of or witnessed many more examples of treatment like this at the U.S. border. The image correction must start at the border and we need government officials who are smart enough to see that.

Hi Margaret and Helen,
I was directed to your site by Bill in Portland Maine from DailyKos.com. He did a shout out about you two, and it is heart-warming. I live in Maine. Just thought I’d mention that. I’m enjoying your blog. You both remind me of my late grandmother, Mary. I think she’d possibly be blogging with you if she could. Thanks for the fun, interesting, and in-your-face honesty. I’m loving it. I’ll keep checking in. I hope you’re both well.
Sincerely,
Tracie

Margaret and Helen,

I respectfully request that you not publish my email.

Thank you,
Carol

I wanted to chime in and encourage you to write your thoughts about the Mudflats/Doogan episode. This “people’s representative” Mike Doogan has really gone off the rails and stuck his big fat nose into something that was none of his damn business.

I don’t know if you agree or disagree, but would love to read your take on all this mess that he has created. I’m sure he’s sitting around with his chest puffed up because he thinks he so important. Seems like a small man to me!

Hey there,

I just realized you have a very tiny smiley face at the bottom of your website. Kudos to subtle cuteness.

I was swept up in the excitement for Obama, and I enjoyed reading your blogs about politics. I am an avid fan of documentaries, and because I like to check my opposition in prep for debate opportunities, I checked out a documentary entitled, “The Obama Deception” by Alex Jones. As much as I didn’t want it to be compelling, it slightly was. I’d appreciate if maybe, in your interest and spare time, you could check it out for yourself and respond with your thoughts.

You can find it safely for free at: http://bestdocumentaries.blogspot.com/search?q=obama+deception

Thanks, and rock on ladies!

Are you two OK?
I miss your comments.
Happy Easter!!!!

Hope you feel better real soon!

Hello ladies…did you see this video regarding matthew Shepard?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWm2zGTZBM0&feature=player_embedded

What do you think about that? Such a shame.

How about a recipe string again. Spring and summer – bet folks have great ideas on cooking for the seasons.

You are both great! Keep up the blog. You do a valuable service that is appreciated by many, including me.

Hey girls! Love the site. Just wondering what ship you guys are touring on the top picture up there.

Dear M&H

I would like to know what you think about the new bulldozer ad by the Cinservatives for Patient Rights? I think I already know but I would like to read your take on it, and I bet you would reach many more people than my own letter to the editor. This group opposes health care reform and is headed up by Rick Scott, the former CEO of Columbia/HCA Healthcare who was forced to resign amid fraud charges, and was awarded a multi-million dollar parachute to boot. I am an under-insured mother of a two year old, who prays night and day to stay healthy.
Love Always,
Geezer Mom

Dear M & H,

As a life long Alaskan women I implore you, PLEASE help in the efforts to do something about this embarrassing Govenor of ours!

Those of us who know the truth about this woman are doing all we can to enlighten the rest of the U.S. but Margaret, I think you just may be the woman we need to help get the truth out about this self absorbed, celebrity seeking, manipulating woman.

She is simply a beauty queen who won the votes of many horney fisherman and has now enamoured the old Republican goats. For Gods sake did you see the venomous glares Cindy McCain gave her while humming that Tammy Wynette tune?

She does not have the best interest of Alaskans at heart as she will neither have the best interests for the rest of America once she wins the next crown she is aiming for.

She is an even more dangerous incarnate than that of Anita Bryant. We need your help Margaret!

Paper or plastic? This is a burning question in my mind every time I go to the grocery.

Sure hope you will comment on the recent Palin vs Letterman comments…how could you resist? And how dare she say that the media layed off of the Obama kids during the campaign but didn’t lay off of her kids? When is she going to realize that her pack of kids that could have easily fed a media-feeding frenzy like we’ve never seen before? Yeesh. Instead of “god bless america” it should be “god help america.” Maybe she can pray on that one.

any thoughts on Iran? I’ve been watching it closely on http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/ – really curious to get your take on the whole situation.

love your blog…i’m a loyal follower.

Hi M&H
Been reading your blog for some time now but only recently have started to respond. The only problem I have is the long time between posts that gets filled in by distractions and irrelevancies, sort of doodling in place while waiting. For a number of years I was a science writer for a regional monthly publication and have to admit that there were many times topics were scarce, reresurrected or stretched to meet a deadline so I understand the long times between articles.

I have also noted that you have many intelligent, talented and experienced responders who raise issues that are important but may be off topic. So, would it be possible for you to select a subject and ask some of your more trusted commenters to prepare a filler blog to be used when you are busy elsewhere.

Just a thought.

Hasn’t ANYONE noticed that there have been nooooo blogs from either of the ladies for quite awhile and yet the site continues. I don’t know if something has happened to one or both of them, but until either of them put something else on here, I’m wondering why the blogs are continuing. especially when people are asking for their opinion on something. It’s obvious they are not answering. Can someone who is familiar with computers find out where their blog originated from and see if they are still around? Is this possible?

The list of blogs noted here are different from the actual site for the ladies which is why I was not aware they were still giving their sage advice. I apologize for my stupidity and now will access the correct site to read all of their comments. Thanks for your answer JuneauJoe. Regards

Margaret and Helen,
It has been days since Sarah Palin gave up her governor-ship!! I just know everyone here is anxiously awaiting your comments on this. Oh please, let it be soon. So love your writing.

Dear Margaret & Helen:

I work in a large law firm. This law firm has a clear dress code. Yet there are 2 secretaries who consistently break it. Both dress like sluts. One secretary likes to spend time outside my office bending over boxes in her microscopic skirts. She doesn’t always wear underwear, and now I know what a Brazilian. Up until now, I though they were talking about Pele. I don’t think I should be subjected to this.

Anyway, yesterday the second secretary was wearing a black lace bra and a completely, totally, not exaggerating shear blouse. I had to look twice to see that she had a blouse on at all. I could see her nipples. That, paired with a tight, short skirt and 4″ heals made her look like an expensive prostitute.

I know that I have yet to pose a question. My question is this: Should I report my discomfort to our HR department? I haven’t, because the person I would report it to is a woman, and I feel uncomfortable. That and you never know whose sluts these women might be.

Any advise?

What do you think of Canada/Canadians?

Hi Helen and Margaret, I have just discovered your marvelous website, you have brought much sunshine into an otherwise horrible Eastern rainy summer! I don’t have any questions as you seem to be on top of things, so rock on!

Just found your blog this week, and am LOVING it. Keep up the good words!

But – as I was reading the archives the other night, I found the reference to your CafePress site, but the link was wonky. I searched and searched the rest of your blog, but cannot find it anywhere. Could you post it again? Or better yet, put it as a permanent link in the header to your blog?

Live long and prosper, Margaret and Helen!

What do you think about taking money from your parents to pay off your mistress and her hubby? What is it with Republican public officials who have trouble keeping their tallywhackers in their britches? It just keeps getting more bizarre.

I owe a special neighbor a big favor for introducing you — and giving me a few minutes of sanity when I seek time with Margaret and Helen. Yea !!! Let’s give an intelligent public servant and new administration some time to correct the years we spent under the leadership of an unusual triumvirate: Bush, Cheney and Limbaugh? Oh, wow — that sounds like a cartoon or nightmare, not what we have just begun to come out from under !! Go Obama et al !!

Dear Sisters!
a friend turned me on to your site. WOW! Here’s a nice thing to quote in case you missed it about a year ago in Vanity Fair (no, i don’t read it either, but someone pointed this out). Graydon Carter, editor, wrote in the June 2008 issue:

“In less than a year, the Bush administration will strut out of office, leaving the country in roughly the same condition a toddler leaves a diaper.” No, Obama couldn’t completely sanitize the diaper Shrublet left, but he’s doing his best, and at least he can tell a stinky used diaper from a new one, unlike his predecessor!

Love your stuff,
Jeep

You know, the very fact that these Right Wing Extremists think that all of us “Grannies and Grampies” are so stupid, that we will believe ANYthing they say, is outrageously disgusting to me…

Good Grief, we ALL know President Obama was raised by his WHITE grandmother…and grandfather…and that his grandmother died shortly before the election…it was so obvious to me that he truly cares about the elderly, and whatever these freaks are trying to make people who listen to them believe, casts many doubts and suspicions on those people’s intelligence…IMHO.

Why anyone listens to them is beyond me…

I have listened to the President’s words on health care reform…and I am very happy with his plan…and I am certain he is not going to eliminate me…or any other grannies….LOL…omg, what won’t they think of? I mean, Really?

You can go to Cspan3 online, and you can read the Energy and Commerce Committee’s bill….and the House also has another bill…

Its the Senate Finance Committee that is holding things up, because its Chairman, Max Baucus and Co-Chair for the minority party, Grassley, are being paid off by the insurance and pharmaceutical companies…they will NOT allow the Public Option plan to be discussed in their meetings…and they refused to reach any agreement before this Summer break…

What they needed to do was do a Staycation and get this bill to the President BEFORE October…when all of our insurance programs want us to sign up again or we can change…and we will STILL have that option IF the Senate will get off their rich old butts and get their bill passed WITH the Single Payer or Public Option choice for us all.

Dear Margret and Helen,

I love your site and l am a big fan. There are few sites on the web that can set me off in holws of laughter at the frankness expressed but yours is one of them. 10th August is my birthday, and while you may think i’m still wet behind the ears just coming up to my 39th l was shaken by some stuff one of the very young l work with said last week and it prompted me to post this diary on Daily Kos:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/8/763812/-You-know-youre-getting-old-when………..

I would LOVE to have your unique insight on this as i’m sure you have a bit to say on the subject. Ironic or just outright funny anything would be appreciated.

With thanks in advance,

Britobserver.

Hello
Just wanted to make sure you were both alright.
Haven’t heard from you in a while, which is unlike you two, especially since Whalin Palin and the rest of the loonies have been handing you so much material.

I miss snorting my coffee through my nose in the morning, reading your article.
Who’d ever thought I’d miss that?!!!

You two are a wonderful and refreshing breath of fresh air! Love your blog and your down-to-earth common sense. Keep it up!

M&H –

I love you guys. You get it right all the time and see through all the BS.

So I ask you about a question probably not even on your radar screens, all the fuss about the Eagles hiring Michael Vick.

I have heard the railing of supposedly God-fearing people passing judgment on Mr. Vick as though he were condemned for all time. “Like a pedophile” one person said.

Look, I don’t condone animal violence (or pedophilia), but I am appalled that nobody seems to believe in forgiveness of any kind. It’s as though they believe Jesus only atones for their own sins, nobody else’s, or only the sins of those whom they approve (and mind you, I’m not a Christian).

Is there a rationale basis for this fury?

What am I missing?

I am not sure about the rationality of some of your readers given some of the comments above( Amish genocide,Michal Vick,and Pete Rose……?
That aside, whether you are legit or not ,I appreciate the opportunity to have a genuine laugh……

I just found your blog & I LOVE it!! Please keep up the honest talk for years to come

Dear Margaret and Helen,

Why is Obama called the Black President? He’s half white. As a white person and a HUGE Obama fan, I’d like to claim at least half of him. I think the Black community is hogging him.

Thanks,

Rachael

Dear Margaret and Helen,

I have had a question that I have never gotten a good answer to. I would love to hear what you have to say on this…If church and state are supposed to be separate, then can someone answer why gay marriage isn’t recognized on the federal level? Again, when I have asked people this in the past, they inevitably bring their religious beliefs into their answer. Also, do you think that the federal government could be sued on the issue of gay marriage (based on church and state being separate) as a constitutional issue?

I look forward to reading your response as well as the debate that would most likely follow your blog on this topic.

Thank you for what you do…you are both a hoot.
~Bridget

Dear Margaret and Helen,
I love your blog! I am anxious for more! How often do you write each other?
Thanks for sharing your wonderful and fun thoughts with us!!

Margo

Hi, ladies–any thoughts on the passing of Teddy Kennedy?

Hi, Ladies! Are you both okay? I ask because there hasn’t been a posting in a while, and I just hope you and your families are all well. I look forward to your postings and check your site at least 2 or 3 times a day. I’m addicted to you both!

You both give me such a good laugh when I want to cry, especially during the last 8 looooong years….

Be well.

Hope you are both well.

kimmybird,

They may be right…it’s not really the Mormons in particular who spend millions of dollars and countless hours fighting against marriage equality for gay couples. It is ALL fundamental religious groups. Evangelicals, Baptists, Catholics, Muslims, Presbyterians, Methodists…the list goes on.

I did not say it is all religious groups. it is all FUNDAMENTALIST religious groups. They ignore separation of church and state and feel justified — more than that — sanctimonious about pressuring politicians to rule by the Bible instead of by the Constitution. They feel it is their sacred and patriotic duty to try to make all laws conform to their religious beliefs. And they are UNITED in the issue of gay marriage, so they work together.

It’s actually quite frightening.

Howdy there…

Just discovered your site from a friend’s facebook posting of your blog…LOVE IT!!!

I was reading some of the older posts, and I read that you are tired of the mass forwards of factual-lacking emails. Have you ever looked at http://www.snopes.com? They are very comprehensive about researching the urban legends and mass forwards like those mentioned. I usually respond to those emails with a link to the article exposing the truth behind the email.

Keep up the awesome work! You are a value to this country!

Patrick in Nashville, Tennessee

We’re dogs — or at least our blog is about us — and one of our dog friends recommended your blog to us this morning because you tell it like it is — just the way we dogs try to do.

Our parents can’t believe that such a large portion of the country seems to have drunk the same Kool-Aid. Thank doG for your shedding a ray of hope that not everyone has imbibed.

A good friend just put your URL on my e-mail today — and I’m in love. Finally a pair of broads that are my age and have the same outlook on life. Tell it like it is. George Orwell said, ‘In time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

Better late than never – just read your “Cheney a Bitch” blog. Didn’t you get the message early on of the relationship between Sire Dick and Dubba? Dubba sits on Dick’s knee and move his mouth – Dick does the talking and a whole lot of the strategic planning. I am surprised that America put up with Wizard of Oz routine for eight years.

Now we have a man of integrity in the office of President and dummies can move fast enough to try to destroy him. Hell – he hasn’t been in office 250 days yet!.

You go, girls. You’ve got my vote.

M and H..I’m new to reading your blog, so forgive me if you h have already discussed this topic. What do you think of the “liberal media” giving so much attention to the right wing whack jobs and their hatred of our President ? It doesn’t seem to be helping anything.

Helen,
Do you plan to weigh in on the Texas governor’s race? Old Tom Scheiffer went to my high school – taught by my Dad. I’ve always followed his career. No ideas if he’d make a good governor – I left Texas way too long ago. What other Democrats are stirring the pot for the job?

Would love to know your view from your little homestead in Austin. All the best – Katie in Wellington New Zealand

Helen and Maragaret

You must write about Michelle Malkin!
PLEASE!

Bela

If we boycotted the sponsors of all these “news” programs until they provide actual news, it would be amazing how quickly the tide would turn. Whatever happened to that most powerful of social-economic-political tools, the boycott??? We won with our Nestle’s boycott back in the ’80s, why stop with that?

I don’t have a question, I just want you to know how much I adore your blog postings.

Dear Margaret and Helen –

I am a US citizen and have been living and working in Europe since 1996. I can assure you that Europeans are not dying from lack of health care over here across the pond. On the contrary, I have lived in 3 EU countries and spend far less on health care than I ever did when I lived in Oregon, my home state.

But I have decided to move back to Oregon next year, and I can assure you that I am very worried about how I will handle the care of my health when I return. At the age of 61, of course I have existing health conditions. Who doesn’t after living over half of his or her life?

I want to thank you dear ladies for being one of my great inspirations for returning home to the US. I wish you were going to be my next-door neighbors, along with the Obama family.

My very best regards,

Karyl Severson

Hi ladies,

I absolutely adore you! Your blog is entertaining, insightful and edifying. You two broads rock!!!

ok…enough with the fawning…

What do you two think about Glenn Beck and Mayor Bud Norris? Beck recently returned to his home town of Mt. Vernon, Washington, where the mayor gave him the key to the city. Intelligent citizens (yes, there are a few left in sleepy Mt. Vernon) were outraged.

I’m interested to read your perspective on the situation.

Berta

Haven’t see a new post in a while, and wanted to make sure you were in fine health. As much as I understand Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize is premature, I’m thrilled for him, and for us. What did you think?

All the best,
Sheila

Margaret and Helen – I am so glad my friend told me about your blog – this is the best website and sure has made my day. Thank you for sharing your friendship and your thoughts. I love it you think like me! I have a good friend that has been my friend for over 30+ years. The one constant in my life that is always there just when I need her most and I hope that she can say the same for me. I have been depressed over the crap that they have been giving President Obama over winning the Nobel Peace Prize. That just seemed the last straw to hear them rant on about he did nothing to deserve it. I think he did with all the crap he has had to put up with, the racism, the stupid name calling and the insults to his wife and children. I would have lost my temper along time ago. Oh and one more thing to the catholic priests that think they have to get into politics – my suggestion is clean up your pedophiles and you will have enought to deal with. If people don’t follow your beliefs maybe you are not setting much of an example.

How often do you change the page on your delightful blog?

Dear M & H,

I was wondering if either of you have an opinion on the Roman Polanski situation. Seems to me that since the alleged victim of his crime is an adult woman with a family and doesn’t want anything more to do with prosecuting Mr. P., maybe we shouldn’t be wasting time and money attempting extradition.

Also, please don’t forget to post your Thanksgiving plans – that was my favorite post last year!

Peace.
Chris in SC

Are you two delightful ladies okay? It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from you. I love reading your views on what’s happening in the world. Please write soon and if you’re ill, hope you get well real soon.

MISS YOU!

Margaret and Helen, I have miised your posts. Just to let you know I’m thinking of you and hoping all is well with you both.

I want to add my voice to the chorus. I miss you ladies. I do hope you are both well.

I’m joining the chorus of people who miss you gals!

I’ve been checking from time to time, for an update. I hope you are both well and look forward to hearing from you. xoxox

Wanted to add that I miss you both also, and really hope you’re both well. Your blog always brings a smile to my face. Write soon!

Margaret,

Will you run for President in 2012?