I was very confused by the episode with Amy the other day on the TV, I had wondered if someone was resurrecting the Ann Landers column (by obtaining the rights or copywrite) and had wondered if she had been chosen as the new columnist. Now your letter makes it clear that they were using the term Ann Landers as people use the term Kleenex any time they want a tissue, regardless of name brand. It's a shame Amy didn't set them correct during the interview as I found it very confusing and wondered if Dear Margo, had been bumped so someone else could run Ann Landers again. I'm glad your column sets everything straight. I hope Amy sets it straight publicly.

Dear Margo,

Long-time fan - I read everyone but you and Carolyn are the best. You asked nothing from us readers, but I have taken Amy off of my bookmarks and will no longer read her. One less visitor for her web stats.

Sorry to hear that some nit-wit has been causing drama. There is only one Ann Landers and there is only one Margo Howard.

Margo Howard, you are one classy lady. I have always enjoyed your column and now have even more respect for you, as if that was possible. I echo the comment above, there is only one Ann Landers and only one Margo Howard.

Dear Margo,
You need to do a bit of research before you write "open letters" to anyone. Amy Dickinson has no need to associate herself with your late mother, or with you, because, frankly, her writing, which is wry and elegant and honest, speaks for itself.
Contrary to what you're telling your readers, Dickinson is adamant about NOT being linked in any way to Ann Landers. This has always been the case. How the Disney/ABC/Hyperion conglomerate chooses to promote her is completely beyond her control.
Thought you might like to understand these facts before you grace us with any more of your rather questionable opinions.

I read both Dear Margo and Classic Ann Landers columns at creators.com, and I love both of them. Ann Landers' columns have stood the test of time. Margo has her own style but writes with the same respect for her audience as did her mother. Even when she calls someone to task as she did in today's column, she does so with propriety and respect.

Good for you, Margo. No one has the right to profit from the good reputation and hard work of your mother. As someone else said, Amy has her own voice. Let her use it to build up her own brand.

Margo, I have often wondered how you managed the apparent struggle over your mother's legacy, but I was more concerned about the "Annie's mailbox" writers, who are very smart but who seem to have come close to appropriating her name. That said, I think it is classier to take the high road than to write public letters--you (and we) know who you are and what you do, and everyone knows your mother is irreplaceable. As a model for the rest of us, you would do well to leave it alone now--you risk having the media turn it into a "catfight" if you keep the discussion going.
Margaret

Ruth Crowley. Margo, you know who i mean. only one Ann Landers, indeed.

Amy Dickinson is an arrogant witch....and I learned this long before this public dispute erupted.

Go Margo! Even though it might not be historically accurate that there is only one "Ann Landers," you are absolutely right that no other advice columnist can ever fill your mom's shoes!!!

Nobody could replace ann landers. she is a great writer. i alwaysed enjoyed reading her columns. I didn't know she passes away. Soory for your loss margo.

Only "one" Ann Landers? Ruth Crowley might have something to say about that.

Oops, I see Sarah beat me to it.

Re: MargaretL Well I am glad Margo did, because I was confused. I saw another follow up with Amy and they implied that the Column space from Ann Landers was given to Amy, that made sense. It is a shame Amy didn't set the first couple of TV episodes straight, but I guess if she had stopped to argue the case, they would have likely run out of time for the interview/soundbite as they really cram those little interviews in there with few seconds to spare.

It is great that you spoke up, you are correct there is no replacing Ann Lander's with Ask Amy. Amy hates men and her responses are not well thought out and I think in many cases harmful, your Mother took her advice to a higher level.
My boyfriend and I love to read the letter's and make our responses before reading what the newspaper publishes. It was an inciteful way to get to know each other and learn how each of us handles lifes problems. In most cases Amy just assumes the male is WRONG, it's shameful her attitude really. There are two sides to every story and sometimes you have to read between the lines. Ask Amy is a poor excuse for a syndicated columnist.

Okay, I understand being loyal to one's mother, but using your "sword" on someone who is trying to make an honest living seems at the least a little catty, and at most just downright mean. Amy Dickinson pays tribute to "strong" women in her book, The Queens of Freeville, and after reading her enjoyable memoir, I decided to google her name. I was surprised to find your column touting her as a pretender. After all, she clearly states that her column "Ask Amy" is a replacement "advice column," not a "let's pretend I'm Ann Landers" column. When you write for a large audience, you have a responsibility to be accurate and fair. Your column, at least on the day your wrote this piece about Amy, is not accurate. Your mother was not the first Ann Landers, Ruth Crowley was, and it was not fair, since no one pretends that Amy is actually Ann, or Ruth or Eppie, or for that matter, Margo. Not only are you overly sensitive, but your response is meant to draw lines between people--you mean to be divisive. That really is not becoming to anyone, least of all someone who is using the "I'm defending my mother" excuse to attack another human being. I really can't imagine your mother writing such a response. She seemed more about raising people up. Just asking...are you behaving in the same way you'd recommend someone else behave?

Dear Margo,
I stumbled on this blog by accident and glad I did. I wondered where Ask Amy came from as I was out of the newspaper subscription for some time (busy fulltime mom and homemaker).

I read the above with bittersweet emotions. At first I found it enlightening to see your family history but as I read on through, bitterness profoundly took over what started out to be an interesting piece.

I read Ann Landers and Dear Abby all the years I was growing up and into my 20's, but stopped when their common sense advice turned liberal and politically correct.

I'm not sure if your writing is truly defending your mom or you are angry about the success that Amy has had in taking over the column. I am sad for you. I think the lack of responses to this column and the dates reflect that people are thinking the same thing I am. I hope you reconsider how to handle this issue with your mom and franchise rights. Your mom was well respected and admired and you should leave it at that. There is no need to defend her as you have been trying, you are only tarnishing her good memories. Bitterness does not well wear on such a pretty lady as yourself. Best wishes.

I find much of what Amy Dickinson writes to be simple, mediocre, and trite. She's too emotional in her responses (I'd wager she's a bit of a drama queen), and she she's very arrogant. Further, she tries WAY too hard to be "hip" (she's not). Ann Landers was an original columnist; her responses were thoughtful and classy. Amy Dickinson can't even hold a candle to the greatness of Ann Landers.

While I don't always agree with Carolyn Hax's responses, she at least is logical and intelligent... and not some embittered drama queen that Amy Dickinson presents herself to be.