Posted 5:11 PM by Matt
This answers the deeply pressing question--"Are you Starsky, or Hutch?" Much to my surprise, I am, in fact, Hutch.

Posted 11:55 AM by Matt
I'm doing research into New York consumer protection law. There's a really broad one, and then, there's section 349-a, the "Observant consumer protection law." It begins:

"No person selling or exposing for sale any mezuzah or tefillin which, to the seller's knowledge, does not satisfy orthodox Hebrew ritual requirements shall represent, by direct or implied oral or written statement, that such mezuzah or tefillin is kosher or meets orthodox Hebrew religious requirements."

It goes on for almost a full page after that. Unsurprisingly, no court has ever been called upon to interpret New York's groundbreaking law on mezuzah sales.

Posted 1:15 PM by Matt
In the category of truly great quotes comes this one from Abram Olmstead, political science major at Patrick Henry College--America's leading college for the home-schooled: "I would definitely like to be active in the government of our country and stuff." Full story here (NY Times, registration required).

Also from the Times, the "correction of the week."

"An article in Arts & Leisure on May 4, 1997, about Pat Boone's venture into heavy-metal music omitted attribution for a critic who said Mr. Boone's album "Pat Boone in a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy" was "an affront to everybody who would consider heavy metal a serious musical form." The comment, from Andy Secher, editor of Hit Parader magazine, appeared in the March 31, 1997, issue of Insight magazine. A request for an acknowledgment went astray at The Times and was renewed last week by the writer of the Insight article, John Berlau."

Sheesh. What reminded Mr. Berlau last week of his need to get an acknowledgement? Full corrections list is here.

Posted 5:40 PM by Matt
Oddity of the week--inexplicable "SNL" host Colin Firth turns out to be REALLY good. High points include Firth's Liam Neeson impersonation leading into "Benny Hill's Passion of the Christ" and Firth as an English businessman who's being--er--overserviced by the hotel, as well as Firth's opening monologue, an extended "Pride and Prejudice" goof. Now, if they'd just tell Horatio Sanz to shut up and go away, I'd be a happy man.

Also, if you haven't seen it, make sure to check out "The Fog Of War," this year's Oscar winner for best documentary. I can't think of a more timely film as we move into the political campaign season--one that recognizes that sometimes good people do evil things and dares to ask "why?" Even though it doesn't come to answers, I'll take that over easy answers.