Smiley Anders for July 9, 2009

• By SMILEY ANDERS
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Jul 9, 2009 - Page: 1B

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At the National Society of Newspaper Columnists conference in Ventura, Calif., we mostly discussed Major World Issues of Great Importance, of course.

But there was time for less serious activities, such as our annual Sitting Duck Award.

This is presented to the newsmaker who can always be counted on for a column when the writer is “desperate for a topic and has to meet a deadline.”

Last year’s award went to Bill Clinton for his role in his wife’s presidential campaign.

Previous winners include former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Martha Stewart and Millie, George and Barbara Bush’s White House dog and author. (The award is nonpartisan and non-species-specific.)

The winner this year was Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, for her unorthodox ways.
(The runner-up was former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, for obvious reasons.)

Little did we know that being a Sitting Duck would evidently upset Gov. Palin so much that she resigned her office a few days later.

Frankly, I’m a bit shocked that columnists have that much clout.

But don’t worry — like Superman, we will only use our powers for good. … 

Money game
Retired Judge Lewis Doherty III says, “Your story about the golf game with the LSU professor brings to mind my own similar experience.

“About 50 years ago I was planning to play a round of golf at City Park.

“My regular group was not available, so I joined another group of golfers whom I did not know.

“I distinctly recall I had three coins in my pocket to serve as markers on the greens.