Just an aside. We were watching the movie "Mission Impossible" this evening on TV, a movie I will always call "Fun with Masks". During one of the breaks a political ad for Mary Landrieu, up for re-election to the US Senate, came on. She carried on about how she was a family person like her constituents and always voted FOR Louisiana, and had two kids and a husband like other normal Americans, and how she was an experienced and all-around good girl to have as a representative, normal fare.

She ended her speech with the line (from memory, I can't find a transcript), "Louisianans can be sure that I take Louisiana values to the Senate."

"I don't think I would have said that on TV," said Lyman.

"What?," I asked. "Oh, you mean . . ."

He meant that the lawyers of our past governor, Edwin Edwards, are now considering appealing his prison sentence for racketeering charges to the US Supreme Court.

Ms. Landrieu has been active in politics in Louisiana for many years, as daughter of "Moon" Landrieu, mayor of New Orleans in the 1970's, as a state representative, state treasurer for eight years, gubernatorial candidate, and now, senator.

I know of no reason to question her particular honor, but she might have chosen better words.