Saying ‘I Do’ To New Name

While substitute-hosting a recent “Meet the Press” segment, Jack Ford stumbled onto one of the great mysteries of late-20th-century gender relations.

Here’s what happened: Two of Ford’s guests were the recently married Howard Baker, one-time Republican U.S. senator from Tennessee, and Nancy Kassebaum, the former Republican senator from Kansas.

So far, so good. But then Ford was told something that threatened to complicate his planned interview strategy: Kassebaum, he learned, prefers to be referred to as “Mrs. Baker.”

Ford solved the potential problem by convincing Kassebaum that, to avoid the awkwardness of having to bounce “back and forth between Senator Baker and Senator Baker,” he would need to call her Sen. Kassebaum.

And she agreed.

Here’s my question: In this day and age, why do so many women still insist on taking their husband’s surname?

Anyone willing to offer an opinion on this matter can leave a message on Dan Webster’s phone mail at 459-4383 (after 5 p.m.), fax a letter (459-5098), send an e-mail (danw@spokesman.com) or regular mail to Common Ground, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside, 99210-1615.

We’re genuinely interested in your replies.

To covet or not In a recent poll, TV Guide magazine tabulated the commandments that viewers believe are most violated on television. This is how it turned out: “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (32 percent), “Thou shalt not kill” (30 percent), “Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain” (8 percent), “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife” (7 percent) and “Honor thy father and thy mother” (5 percent).

And they say that television avoids the tough issues.

Home for more than the holidays In its 10-year history, Spokane’s Habitat for Humanity chapter has managed to construct 44 houses. A total of 63 adults and 124 children live in those homes.

A year ago, Habitat built a seven-bedroom duplex that was funded and constructed almost entirely by women.

Efforts to organize a second Women’s House project will begin at an informational meeting to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Women’s Club, 1428 W. 9th. Anyone interested in getting involved, or just in learning more about the project, is invited to attend.

For further information, call 534-2552.

, DataTimes