Minuet Macabre

Mighty Morphin' Arlen may have given away more than he intended when he referred to the Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings as a "minuet." Certainly, he couldn't have described the thoroughly rehearsed and choreographed process more concisely or accurately. Senators and the nominee took turns bowing and curtseying, then stepped carefully to avoid their partner's toes as they wheeled around the ballroom floor. All very civil and proper and grand.

Maybe Joe Biden was right. Maybe the hearings should be eliminated. They could always fill the time slot with re-runs of "Dancing with the Stars." Beats the hell out of watching old gasbags do the minuet.