Merry Christmas

Well, the day is almost here, Christmas that is. I have never been a big fan of this holiday, so much so that both friends and family are moved to draw unflattering comparisons between me and Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch who stole Christmas. So be it. But it is hard to argue with Ambrose Bierce who viewed Christmas as, "A day consecrated to gluttony, drunkenness, maudlin sentiment, gift-taking public dullness and domestic misbehavior." Merry Christmas everyone.

Moody's Mood for Love

James Moody 1925-2010

The legendary saxophonist James Moody died last Thursday in a San Diego hospice. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer.

Elizabeth Edwards 1949-2010

Elizabeth Edwards died after battling cancer. With uncommon grace and fortitude, she showed us how to continue living in spite of dealing with a deadly disease.

The Queen

Sad news out of Detroit that Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, is battling pancreatic cancer.

Don Meredith 1938-2010

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and broadcaster Don Meredith died Sunday from a brain hemorrhage. Meredith along with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford constituted the first foray of the National Football League into prime time television in what became known as Monday Night Football and a fixture in popular culture. Meredith's folksy humor was the perfect foil for the bombastic Cosell and the reserved Gifford.

Flush with Cash

Former congressman Bill Jefferson (D-New Orleans) famously gave added meaning to the term "cold cash" after $80,000 was found stuffed in his freezer. Now comes Prince George's county executive Jack B. Johnson and wife Leslie to give a fresh perspective to "flush with cash." Yesterday afternoon the Johnsons were arrested by FBI agents for bribery and tampering with evidence. According to the Washington Post, the following exchange took place as Leslie Johnson frantically scampered to dispose of evidence:

Two FBI agents were at the front door of their two-story brick colonial in Mitchellville.

"Don't answer it," the county executive said, unaware that more agents were listening in.

Johnson ordered his wife to find and destroy a $100,000 check from a real estate developer that was hidden in a box of liquor.

"Do you want me to put it down the toilet?" Leslie Johnson asked.

"Yes, flush that," the county executive said.