A key part of Congress’s plan to bring down crippling transportation costs: House Resolution 1128.

Resolved, That the House of Representatives–

(1) expresses support for National Carriage Driving Month, along with its goals and ideals; and

(2) encourages supporters, historical organizations, and educational entities to observe the month and collaborate on efforts to further protect, preserve, and appreciate carriages as part of our Nation’s history.

(I wanted to call it a key part of Nancy Pelosi’s plan, but it was sponsored by a Republican. Who should be ashamed of himself.)

A custodial guy just came to my desk with new trash cans/recycling bins. He took my old ones and emptied them into the new ones, then set the new ones down for me to use.

I know better than to ask: why not just collect the old ones at the end of the day–along with the trash inside them–and drop off the empty new ones then?

Or does that violate some union rule? Some contractual mandate negotiated by the Recycling Bin Distributors’ Federation Local 1556?

Addendum: one of the cans is labeled “Landfill Waste.” The only purpose I can see in that is the comedy material it provides; Congress generates so much landfill waste that each office needs separate bins to hold it.

I was born and raised in Toledo and have never thought of leaving. In fact, I still live in Toledo for the same reason people slow down and gawk at car wrecks.

I like the Million Dollar Password well enough–and even appreciate the lack of a hyphen in the title, as hyphenated clues are illegal on Password. I’m sure that was intended. Ahem.

But these “guest stars” they get…. This Monique Coleman is a lovely young…actress? Singer? Something fame-related. But she really should have caught a few episodes of the classic game before she appeared here. When you get “Scottish” and then “instrument” as clues and you guess “banjo”–that just hurts. Or when you get “uncle” and you guess “cousin”….

And we’re only halfway through this episode.

They had 117-year-old Betty White as a guest star the other week and she’s still fantastic. Bring her back–make her a regular. Some of the stars since then are veering into Dick Martin territory.

*Monique Coleman addendum: in her defense, she just gave “limousine” and “driver” as clues for “chauffeur.” That’s textbook Password. There’s still hope.

I grew up on 1776–movie and musical–and have indeed watched the 1972 movie version on tape twice today. And listened to the 1997 cast recording (featuring Brent Spiner) throughout the week in the car. And have fond memories of watching it live on stage in my hometown with locals in the various parts. The law director, portraying John Hancock, fell asleep in his chair during Act II, but a fine effort nonetheless.

Keeping that reverence in mind, I nonetheless think that this Brokeback version is outrageously funny. Especially the close. 9.9 out of 10.

It would have been a perfect 10 if they’d worked in Jefferson’s line “Virginia abstains.”