Ghost II

Now that he's dead, only I can see Patrick Swayze. Perhaps that is because I love him so much for giving me a substantial lead.

He danced dirty in Dirty Dancing, got into Whoopi in Ghost, and got up early to fight the commies in Red Dawn. He also brought points to moi, Heather, Holly G and Craig. I'm now in the lead with 36 points, with Heather at 32 and Holly and Andy next in line with 26 each.

I'd say more, but to quote Jed, Swayze's character in Red Dawn: "Shut up, Danny! Shut up!"

Kennedead

I gotta say... I'm not feeling the in-the-face-of-death goofies this morning, so I'll stick to the facts (more or less).

Ted's dead, baby. Ted's dead. His death gives us our second political brain death in a row. (That's a straight line, ready for any takers.) It also pushes me into an oddly unsatisfying lead, giving a mild endorsement to my geriatric/cancer strategy.

Seven of us scored points on the Senator's death. He had a particularly strong impact on those competing to be the Bright Anti-prophet of Doom: Tom, Cathy and Holly G are all out of the running for Angel of Deathlessness. That leaves Becca and Craig. If either of you suffers a tragic accident we will suspect foul play, so don't try anything.

Novacula

Known vampire Bob Novak "died" today. His "death" renders him unavailable for subpoena on the Valerie Plame outing, which is convenient for some folks.

His death also benefits many of us. Heather holds onto her lead, but Andy, Betsy, Holly and yours truly all scored points. I'm in second place by a (dead) nose. Holly, Andy and Betsy make up the unstoppable zombie horde in third place. Thanks, Bob.

Waltah

The beloved Mr. Cronkite has died. In his will he left eleven points each to the Emily & Bill team and to Ben.

Tom and Cathy should now root for Ted Kennedy so they can leave Becca as the last one with no points. Meanwhile, Tom and Becca can plot (in at least two senses of the word) against Claude Levi-Strauss.

The rest of us can look down on them as evil schemers and low scorers. Can I get a collective "Harumph"?

Harumph.

S is for Strange; D is for Dead

Robert S. McNamara (nobody had him), dead at 93.

A Streetcar Named Death

Karl Malden is dead, which puts Heather at 23 points and two deaths. Congratulations, Heather, you're the ranking angel of death. While you retain this lead, you can use that fact to your advantage at cocktail parties.

"Hi, I'm Heather. I'm the reigning angel of death."

Whatever you seek at the cocktail party, you can't fail with that line.

Beat it, Just Bea

It's listed as unconfirmed, but Michael Jackson is reportedly dead of a heart attack.

That puts Holly and Betsy on the board with eleven points each. It's anybody's game.