Madelyn Dunham, RIP

Also known as Barack Obama's (white) grandmother.
But, as he has often pointed out, she was a woman of accomplishment in her own right, as well as a mainstay of support in his.

On the one hand, it seems tragic that she couldn't have held on one more day to see her grandson elected, but on the other, she must have died knowing that he would be. Will be.

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, RIP

I can't believe I almost forgot to pay my respects.

This woman will truly be missed.

Quote du Jour: George Carlin, RIP

from the Reuters story:

Carlin told Playboy in 2005 that he looked forward to an afterlife where he could watch the decline of civilization on a "heavenly CNN."

"The world is a big theater-in-the round as far as I'm concerned, and I'd love to watch it spin itself into oblivion," he said. "Tune in and watch the human adventure."

Iconoclasts everywhere are gonna miss this guy.

Tim Russert, RIP

As his colleague Tom Brokaw said, Russert's death came during a political campaign that he loved. He was recording voiceovers for Sunday's show when he collapsed.

He knew how to get a tough interview out of anybody. He will truly be missed.

NBC's Tim Russert dead at 58.

Tom Lantos, RIP

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress was warmly remembered in a memorial service today, with moving tributes by colleagues from Condoleezza Rice to Joe Biden... You could tell that this was a man whose life had really touched those around him, and especially his close-knit family. I didn't agree with all of his foreign policy positions, but it's impossible not to admire this kind, generous man with such a remarkable life, such resilience, and such unflagging dedication to human rights and liberty around the world. We need more like him in this town.

Norman Mailer...

... tough guy, Luddite, and consummate writer, 1923-2007, RIP.