Andy Rooney says, "As I grow in age, I value older women most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

An older woman will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

An older woman knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 50 give a damn what you might think about her.

An older single woman usually has had her fill of "meaningful relationships" and "commitment." The last thing she needs in her life is another dopey, clingy, whiny, dependent lover!

Older women are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Most older women cook well. They care about cleanliness and are generous with praise, often undeserved.

An older woman has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Older women couldn't care less.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to an older woman. They always know.

An older woman looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women or drag queens.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, an older woman is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Her libido's stronger, her fear of pregnancy gone. Her experience of lovemaking is honed and reciprocal and she's lived long enough to know how to please a man in ways her daughter could never dream of. (Young men, you have something to look forward to.)

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off you are a jerk if you are acting like one.

Yes, we praise older women for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coifed babe over 50 there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22 year old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize for all of us. That men are genetically inferior is no secret. Count your blessings that we die off at a far younger age, leaving you the best part of your lives to appreciate the exquisite woman you've become, without the distraction of some demanding old man clinging and whining his way into your serenity.

Signed, Andy Rooney

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Answers

I just noticed that in most places you could substitute "cat" for "older woman" and it would still work.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Cool observation, Brooks!

And in my area of the country, there are a lot of 50-year-old men trying to make time with much younger women. If they aren't well-to- do, the "babes" aren't interested.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Surprisingly cogent thoughts from that dopey, clingy, whiny old man!!! Doesn't he realize older women like younger men? LOLOLOLOL!

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Wal-Mart. Long day at work. Kids unexpectedly out of school. Tired.

THE most handsome, tall, muscular, fantastic manager had to help our checker with a problem.

The children were horrified when I told the checker (after the manager left) that he was THE most handsome ... etc.

I had to promise not to leave their father. They didn't buy the interest in aesthetics as an art form. It was pure, I promise. Totally pure.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

You seen that dark-haired, square-jawed hunk who does the Fox reports from Kabul or Kandahar, or wherever? I have no idea what he says or where he is, but he definitely beats Paula Zahn in the sexy stakes. Not that I want sexy people doing the news. I want sexy AND intelligent. And,if I hafta, okay, just intelligent, then.

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002

Stone Phillips.

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002

Yup, you've seen 'im!!!

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Stone Phillips does Dateline stories. Isn't he NBC? Or does he freelance?

Freelance? Does that mean he's single? LOL

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Stone Phillips is a total air head. I'm not attracted to total air heads.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

I call Stoned Phillips "Tom Brokaw's illegitimate son."

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

It wasn't his brain I noticed...

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

I find his voice easy to listen to when at work and listening to the TV station on the radio.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

Oh. I thought Helen had given me his name. Damn. Well, I'll just have to write it down next time he's on.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002