Mallika, I empathise with you cause I know how it must feel for any child to have her parent ridiculed especially publicly on network TV! Judy, I saw the glasses on the Bill Maher (that's the name?) show for the first time...I'm not American but cause I live on a small island we do have to embrace things from the outside world and we get most of our TV from the US. So I've seen The View on a few times but dont always relate to the issues...I on the whole don't watch much TV though spend more time on the web and reading books...just thinking... To All, The people on this show The View seems to keep changing a lot though now? Always some comment or some offence...I noticed the lady in the middle laughed when this Elizabeth girl made the comment. And I didnt hear the others correct her for what she said from the clip I see here. I always recall this lesson from the Indian epic the Mahabharat when Drupadi was being disrobed publicly in the court by Duryodhan no one in the court sitting there said a word...none of the elders...none of the sages...gurus...to me they were just as guilty. So... On a personal level if someone said that to me or bout me I'd think they were dumb or silly but I'd also laugh...once in work I had a fellow female engineer attack me in a meeting and although we have both been working together in the same company she seemed not to know my name....she went "You...you ...you what's your name...she...she...she?!" So I went you dont know my name now?! I mean she could have easily said what's her face and it would be just as bad or not bad. And she is about 10 yrs older than I to top it off! I guess she was so mad at me! And you know my boss still flipped it on me and blamed me for saying back the you dont know my name part bit! He said I also got emotional and I should have said nothing... The thing about this woman making the slip on national TV just shows how many, many people on earth speak bout others in their living rooms when they think no one is hearing...amusingly the little I know about The View's concept is that Babara Walters I think had envisioned it to be a bunch of ladies chatting in their living room perhaps? So funny if so it proves my point when they make these slips...I'm glad she said it cause she spoke her heart...and in doing so it made people think... I wish we all would come out in the open and talk our hearts on issues or religion, race, politics etc without coming to blows about it...if that could be possible and then to really trash out our issues...it is the only way we will truly understand each other and become one... Many years ago as a teenage I saw a documentary covering a camp like this for other teens where they put israelis and palestinians or other arabs and muslims/jews etc from different parts of the world... all teenagers... in this camp and it was so beautiful how each spoke their heart, their pains, their stories...explaining how each felt bout each other. For the first time I understood what was eating all those peoples there... On my island there is a constant racial and cultural line or divide between those of Afro origin and Indo origin...that no one speaks about and claims it is the politicians that divide us and it is why we vote on racial lines each election...but I think it is cause same thing people pretend to be embracing outdoors but you dont know what they are saying in their living rooms. And they truly dont understand each other and there is no forum to be honest and truly learn... I want to hear what they are saying in their living rooms....of course we all have to get to the place where we are not talking small minded things there too but the only way to get there is if we talk it out in open? I try my best to do that with my co workers and friends...and I have been learnign bit by bit and slowly...I guess as I often feel like quoting the Desiderata..."As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,even to the dull and ignorant;they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit." As for the bowl of incense thing...I can see why all Indians in the US might see it as a racist attack or slur...but I guess it is how Elizabeth may seen all things related to the East...New Age...Indian...Hindu...to be hones that is racist! I have not been able to open the link on this PC Im on to the apology but I'm assuming she apologised although what is the point of lip service if she still believes that or feels that way...what is needed is not an apology but learning...growth...understanding...and that only comes when the time is right... Anyway I wont be surprised if Barbara Walters has a few words with the Elizabeth lady and she may not be returning next season?

sorry wrong post here

Hi Mallika, I left this comment early, but I added and changed a few things, so here my new version of my comment. Thank for having the courage to speak up. A lot of the comments people leave here annoy me, because some of the suggestions they give is to repress our feelings and just to act loving and forgiving, but to get to a place of love and forgiveness we need to feel and express our true feelings responsible and Dr. Deepak Chopra, Mallika and Gotham are a great example of how to express our feelings responsibly

Mallika, Elizabeth Hasselbeck is a ridiculous young woman. My god. What would this world be without your Dad? I can't even imagine. I can however imagine a day without hearing that strident, shrill voice assaulting my eardrums at 11:00 a.m. Bliss! Turn the other cheek. All who care do care and that's all that matters. Love Linda

Jet T, Grieving?

Dear Mallika and all intent contributors, I hope you are all well. I am writing to tell you that through participation in the blog since the very unfortunate Mumbai attacks I have learned to stand up for myself ! No words can truly express how much this has helped me. But perhaps this story will help. I had connected a friend to another friend of mine and through this connection she hired my friend as a publishing consultant and wrote a chapter in a creative anthology, where I had already written a chapter. When the announcement came about the completion of our creative anthology, I heard nothing from this person. I let it go. Then I received a public relations announcement about the publication of own her book from the person that I connected her to, still no word from this person. I was fuming ! In the past, I would have let it go and ended the relationship with my friend. Because of what I learned through you andeveryone here on intent - I did write to her and expressed my hurt and disappointment . She had the good grace to apologize and ask how she could make amends. To make amends I asked her to write an endorsement for me on the professional networking site where I first met her. Now I will continue my relationship with her and we can continue to help and support one another. AGAIN - MANY THANKS. Gratitude and healthy expression of feelings are so important ! Have an amazing day ! Your intent friend, Elaine

Elain, I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for sharing. I like to share with everyone here my post on the case of the 8 year old boy. http://www.intent.com/blog/2008/12/05/8-year-old-boy-arizona love, sylvie

I just wanted to add to Sylvie, I do thank you for your post - I do not support the consciousness of revenge - I do believe in awareness, and in strong and gracious communication. I believe it serves our best interests and those of the world to heal ourselves and others so that resorting to revenge and hurtful actions will be unnecessary. I have taken the vow and intend to keep it. Have you seen the web site - it contains much wisdom and you have the opportunity to ask questions. http://itakethevow.com/home Love, Elaine

Valerie, what you speak resonates with me deeply. I do not think that I belong here either for the very same reasons and will disengage myself from this rather than remain a part of the problem. This is what I have always done and will make no exceptions....even if the "tone" is of a spiritual nature. I applaud you voicing truth. Peace...........

This is why these people must be engaged directly, not shown kid gloves. They need to be exposed and shown why their arguments are complete rubbish. Coddling them will do no good.