Dear Family,

This past week has been devastating. I don't think the United States have ever lost a major city before, the way we've lost New Orleans. [Katrina's all Wet, below]

Yet, remarkably, I just heard from some friends in the area who tell me their New Orleans home is essentially intact - and of course, that they're OK. Whew!

Last week, I mentioned my friend going into the VA Hospital, who'd forgotten he was entitled to care there. Well, thank goodness he went. The amazing doctors took out a brain tumor on Monday, and by Thursday, he was able to go home, feeling bright, chipper and alert. The proof that he was healed? He didn't forget even one of his repertoire of bad jokes.

(OK, OK, so, there's a little cancer there...but the tumor and the pain are gone. The cancer will go too.)

And speaking of people who read Ask TaxMama, you are an astonishing, involved, caring population.

This week, I meet a reader working in our military service. We've started tossing around ways to make life easier (taxwise) for folks deployed and far from home. We have some ideas and hope to get IRS to help. Who knows what good might result from something that started out as a casual 'hello'?

What I love about all of you is, you're all so willing to find solutions. All it takes is for someone to point out the problem. Thank you.

We have a holiday weekend coming up. While you're goofing off around the pool and at parties, think of us here, working frantically to meet the corporate filing deadline. Nah, forget us.

Oh, and for you sports fanatics - drop by ScoreConnex.com http://www.scoreconnex.com/NewIndex.aspx and sign up to get the scores of all your favorite weekend games as soon as they end. Do your wife a favor - get the scores on your cell-phones instead of putzing around with the remote every 5 seconds.

Go. Have fun!

Best wishes,
Eva Rosenberg, EA
Your TaxMama is watching...out for you.

President Bush and Social Security
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