Pat Oliphant for June 03, 2013

I see only one flaw in this cartoon.It is, of course, that you should always shake rather than stir a martini.Otherwise…

is that fred flinstone on the television?

“…If I read the data correctly, it is due to the fact that so many women are the heads of single family households..”Right you are. The data also shows that households where there is a husband- the wife earns significantly more than the single mom. The message: women that fail to have a good relationship with a man are defective on several levels.

In past societies, women have been just as important in providing for the family as the men. If a couple don’t need two incomes and the woman’s job pays more than the man’s, then why not let the man stay home and work in the house..It works for us. And I know how to work the washing machine……..!

I wonder if Pat Oliphant is today channeling one of his past cartoons. I can’t help but recall his cartoon from the late 1960s, when the term “Women’s’ Liberation” was becoming a common phrase..The cartoon was of a stout Brunhild-type wife aggressively confronting her meek mouse of a husband (in an apron?) as she leaves the house. The caption was:.“Well, I’m off to my women’s lib meeting. Kiss me goodbye, damn you!”.How cool if he is pointing out the turn-about of that old work.

In truth, I am not a martini drinker (tho’ on those rare occasions when I do I prefer vodka to gin). The idea I’ve heard behind shaking the drink was that it created tiny air bubbles in the mixture, which supposedly enhanced the taste. Perhaps it’s true, perhaps not. I’ll accept your expertise on the subject, for I was just being glib.Personally, I prefer margaritas (mostly for the lime, but the tequila is good, too).

I’ll accept the proposition that a martini must be gin; then if I have vodka is the proper name a “Vodka Martini” or is there another name for it?Tho’ I’d still probably prefer a margarita. I understand your point about paying for water (hence my reason for NEVER drinking “Lite Beer”), but there’s something about the combination of the lime and the tequila that just works for me.To each his/her own. There’s no right or wrong, there’s just what tastes good to you (or me).