Watching the convention is like seeing a bad divorce

August 25, 2008

The Democratic National Convention that begins today in Denver looks to me less like the coronation of Barack Obama than a soap opera wedding. The kind everyone tunes in to for the fireworks.

Recent columns

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  Christina Applegate is young, beautiful, famous and stunningly candid about her decision to have both breasts removed rather than live in dread that her breast cancer would return.

• Life plan: Fill days then fill pages

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  August 3, 2008

  Not long ago, I wrote that "near retirees," as we are now known, should consider working past the ages of 62 or 65 for all sorts of economic reasons, and we should salve our disappointment by doing some of the things now that we thought we would do in retirement - golfing in Florida or traveling in Europe.

• It's a woman's world, too

  July 29, 2008

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• This job calls for women's friends

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• Women tell all, with laughs

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  July 6, 2008

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• Sound advice, a click away

  July 1, 2008

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• Russert critics wasted no time

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  June 15, 2008

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• Travel, wedding perfect together

  June 3, 2008

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• Parents almost can see finish line

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• Days of cursive might be history

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  April 13, 2008

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• Poet plucks at petals of her life

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• Lessening fatigue of cancer survivors

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• Study fails to credit women

  March 2, 2008

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• It's neat to see kids' own habitats

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• Sisters bonding over kids' weddings

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  February 3, 2008

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  January 27, 2008

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  January 20, 2008

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• Women's sacrifices, taken to the extreme

  December 16, 2007

  Christopher Buckley's dark satire Boomsday imagines a Social Security crisis that pits the generations against each other, and a public relations campaign to persuade older Americans to do the "right" thing and check out early. There are even financial incentives and free Botox if you schedule your suicide.

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  When the first news stories about Harriet Miers' nomination to the Supreme Court all used the same quote from President Bush describing her as "a pit bull in size 6 shoes," I decided I would listen carefully to this debate.

• Youths sound off on sex, advertising and athletes

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• No reason to recant support for Arnold

  October 7, 2003

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  September 16, 2003

  IT MIGHT COST me my feminist membership card, but if I were a California resident, I'd vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger for governor - even if I'd have to wait a few more months to do so.

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  October 6, 2002

  IT APPEARS THAT I am not popular in high school. Again.

• Lindh rage gives way to sadness

  July 23, 2002

  THE CASE OF John Walker Lindh has been resolved to the apparent satisfaction of both parties.

• Mourning loss of son's competitor

  March 19, 2002

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• All we can do for safety is embrace each other

  September 30, 2001

  IN THE IMMEDIATE aftermath of the World Trade Center and Pentagon explosions, I had one thought, and I bet it was almost universal.

• Our routines will keep us busy, but the sadness will stay with us

  September 14, 2001

  IN THE AFTERMATH of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, we are being told that we must recognize that life in this country will never be the same.

• And now, for a -- of local flavor, we bring you a taste of Art Donovan

  January 31, 1993

  Hey, Jim Kelly! Try some warm olive oil on top of your head, ya big crybaby.