A Random Walk

While wandering among newspapers and Web sites recently, we stumbled among the following:

• The New York Times reported, "ABC and CBS paid tribute to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on Wednesday with prime-time programs. According to Nielsen's estimates, CBS's Kennedy special, 'The Last Brother,' earned 4.6 million viewers; ABC's 'Remembering Ted Kennedy," drew 4 million. NBC led overall as its reality show, "America's Got Talent," delivered the night's largest audience, 10.9 million viewers." Turn out the lights.

• A classic New York Times headline served as another example of amusing futility. "Shame on Iran," proclaimed an editorial that begged Tehran to lighten up on dissent. The ayatollahs quaked.

• In 2004, John Kerry ran as the Democratic nominee for president while serving as a senator from Massachusetts. His election would have created a vacancy that would have been filled by Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican. To forestall such an obvious offense, the legislature changed the succession law so that the seat would be filled not by gubernatorial appointment but by a special election. Edward Kennedy's death has opened his seat. And now that Massachusetts has a Democratic governor, the trenchermen are considering Kennedy's suggestion that His Nibs make an interim appointment. Massachusetts, backers of the change assert, cannot afford to go without a second senator while the campaign proceeds. The thought did not occur to civic-minded Democrats during Romney's tenure. Corruption of this sort thrives when voters refuse to impose standards. The electorate shares the blame with the partisan hacks.

• Dwight Jones has it right. When contemplating Shockoe Bottom's future, Richmond's mayor wants to stress market-driven development. The Bottom and its adjacent neighbors offer history and character -- two qualities than can boost development, and that can be enhanced by it. And although the private sector remains the prime engine of prosperity, government has a role. A transportation center at Main Street Station, for instance, would complement the Bottom's rise.

Say, what is the status of minor-league baseball's return to Richmond?