Notes From D.R. | Random Thoughts on the Passing Scene

David Brooks on John McCain and Barack Obama’s running-mate options.

Thomas Sowell on racial symbolism.

Tom Coburn and Doug Feith on Republican woes.

The Boston Globe on Boston federal judge Nancy Gertner and the ethical issues raised by her work as a blogger.

Director/producer/actor Sydney Pollack passes away at 73. Pollack never got his just due as one of the great directors of his time, despite his Oscar win for directing Out of Africa. He was also a phenomenal actor, with outstanding performances in such recent films as Changing Lanes and Michael Clayton. Pollack was a living definition of merit, and his legacy will hopefully be preserved in Hollywood. More from Reuters, Roger Ebert, Ain’t It Cool News, the New York Daily News, Variety, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Hollywood Reporter and CNN.

Has Oprah Winfrey jumped the shark?

William Kristol on Iraq War veterans.

UPDATE: More from the AP.

SECOND UPDATE: Still more from the AP.

Ex-Republican Congressman Bob Barr becomes the Libertarian Party’s Presidential nominee.

Ben Stein on the American oil crisis.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull dominates Memorial Day weekend.

Comedian and 1960s pop-culture figure Dick Martin passes away at 86.

Austin Hill on John McCain’s recent appearance on Ellen.

Jeff Jacoby says the GOP is within its rights to make Michelle Obama’s controversial comments a campaign issue. (Speaking of Mrs. Obama, I still can’t believe she said that this is the first time in her adult life that she has been proud of her country. You mean to tell me she wasn’t proud when Denzel and Halle won Oscars?)

Hillary Clinton puts her foot in her mouth. More from Todd Feinburg and the New York Times.

Hillary Clinton puts her foot in her mouth. More from Todd Feinburg and the New York Times.