SPECIAL SUNDAY UPGRADE

This date (August 9) carries a special meaning for us geezers who remember George Bush Sr., then heading up the RNC, as one of Tricky Dick's more ornate apologists. We like to read old copies of STONE, turn up some Bad Company and hit the Nixon Monument (#15 of 16, description only, of B. Kliban's cartoon: SEND IT ON). Who knew Reagan, and now Bush's brat, would make "We Won't Get Fooled Again" sound even more naive. (Further reading: NIXON AGONISTES, by Gary Wills.)

A QUAKER "THING"

Just caught up with "All Alone," the latest episode of SIX FEET UNDER, emotional kryptonite for anyone suffering a recent death in the family. Nate's "too pure for this world" Cobain quote just about summed up his character. Like, idealists always DIE on us.

GOD IS AN ASSHOLE

Sounds like a Stephen Colbert line...