the rix mix

* Rosa Parks: We knew how important she was, but did we expect her death to have such impact? Honoring Rosa Parks was a chance to hold up a bright light in a great darkness. Even in her passing, she demonstrated "prophetic witness." We didn't want to say goodbye.

* UMC Judicial Council: Methodist Star Chamber or kangaroo court?

* Neil Young on Conan O'Brien: Four nights, including "Damage & Needle Done." Conan also gave an entire show to U2 a few weeks ago. Now if he'd only drop the misleading line "Much to talk about" before every opening monologue.

* Charles & Camilla: My Brit cousin wondered if they'd get bad press here. I said by the time Charles goes home we'll wish he were president. He has all the dorkiness of Dubya, none of the arrogant ignorance. He's hip to global warming. Plus he can pilot jets AND helicopters. & those Camilla hats are worthy of an A.M.E. Sunday morning.

* Judge Samuel Alito: Local media attempts to make him a favorite son of New Jersey. But we have lots of good Roman Catholic Italian-American judges here, most of 'em not conservative enough to get promoted by Bush. All one needs to know: professional wingnut William Donohue of the Catholic League supports him.

* Anne Lamott, Plan B: Not the most disappointing "spiritual" book I read this year. Close, though. This author is begging for a great spoof. Wonder if The Onion's already done it? Her dreadlocks really are more Farina than Rasta.

* Jon Corzine for NJ Governor: His ex-wife publicly popped off about how Jon sold out his family for politics, & he'll disappoint New Jersey, too. Oy, if only divorce always had so simple an explanation. If our previous governor Jim McGreevey had been gay AND competent, that would have made for a really interesting campaign.

* Boston Legal: This week the firm took on both the Iraq War & Church-State separation, & lost both cases. But the points were made. & the episode ended with Spader & Shatner dressed in pink flamingo costumes.

* Street Prophets: "Faith & Politics." Skip over the doctrinal side diaries (Is there an afterlife?) & the place gets real quiet. Gradually making a nonbeliever out of me. Needs an injection of Kos feistiness. Failed in my attempts to be first poster trolled.

* Standard Time: 4:30 here & getting dark. Ugh.