*Judge outlaws National Day of Prayer. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Last week, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb declared that the National Day of Prayer—something the nation has honored since it was first proclaimed by President Harry Truman back in 1952—is unconstitutional. She was responding to a lawsuit filed by something called the Freedom from Religion Foundation. Despite the ruling, the White House says the president still intends to recognize a National Day of Prayer. Maybe we should all pray that judges read the Constitution again (if they ever have).
*No silly walk for this guy. Tens of thousands of people have had their travel plans disrupted thanks to ash clouds from a volcano in Iceland that spread over much of Europe. One of them was my favorite English funnyman, John Cleese, of the “Ministry of Silly Walks” fame. Cleese was stranded in Oslo, Norway, after a TV appearance there. When he couldn’t find any other way to get home he hired a cab to drive him to Brussels, where he caught a train to London. Total cost of the trip: a hefty $5,140.
*“Bring your money, buddy.” I’ve written before about the flight of capital from California. Something like 25 percent of the state’s millionaires have fled to less taxing states. But here’s a twist: A multimillionaire I know is moving to Newport Beach from an eastern city. A few weeks ago he received a personal phone call welcoming him to the state from embattled governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Near the end of the call the governor said, “And please bring your money with you.”
—Chip Wood