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The Forehead Watch Is On

By Margaret Steinfels
Posted Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, at 10:48 AM ET

Received Tuesday evening:

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When I finally got around to my other newspapers today, I gasped when I saw how dismal things may be for awhile. The Wall Street Journal was particularly grim: Airline market shares in New York; Insurance company lawyers; and real special: saving for a rainy day in Abu Dhabi. Oh, woe is me. And the Washington Post? More Redskins. And "Clinton Enters a Renewal Phase."

Is this a hint of ashes to come? The Forehead Watch is definitely on. But if he does, he'll be called a hypocrite. Consider, however, the scene if he did sackcloth and ashes in Lafayette Park surrounded by homeless people. Hard to beat. Could this possibly seem sincere? I bet you doubt that with your thick "Pandering" file.

It would appear that our only overlapping file is "Roaches" (as in cockroaches, I assume!). This is New York, and one can't know too much about one's neighbors. And it is a thick file!

I also have a file on Iris Murdoch, now probably coming to a close. Also Vaclav Havel, Margaret Drabble, and Roe v. Wade--all subjects that need my attention from time to time. There is the BJOA file and the SPCFC file. Brit Journalists Out of America and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Fictional Characters.

Now what about Prince Valiant married by a monk? No, no, no. The monk witnessed the marriage. In any case, the operative question here is: Was Prince Valiant baptized? If so, I believe he is subject to the full 40 days of Lenten fasting and almsgiving. But, of course, if he travels a lot, then he is excused. This getting not only your history but your theology straight is important--as Hans Kung will tell you, if you go to hear him.

In the meantime, Lent begins tomorrow--at least in the Western churches.