Essay 274

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• The neo-Nazi rally in Toledo failed to spark any riots this time, thanks to police efforts that separated the protestors and counter-protestors by quite a bit of distance. Also, the cops stood about 700 strong, with at least two snipers and an M113 armored personnel carrier. That’s quite a force, considering there were only 63 neo-Nazis and 170 counter-protestors. In the end, police made 29 arrests, including two photographers. Nazi-paparazzi, perhaps?

• Jesse Jackson made another appeal to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on behalf of Stanley Tookie Williams. Jackson presented an argument over Williams’ original conviction, attempting to imply the trial and investigation were flawed. “We know if you are [Robert] Blake or O.J. [Simpson] with a dream team of lawyers, you walk free,” Jackson said. “If you don’t have a dream team of lawyers, you will die.” Not sure this is making a strong case in Williams’ favor.

• Comments collected by the Associated Press on comedian Richard Pryor, who died Saturday:

“By expressing his heart, anger and joy, Richard Pryor took comedy to its highest form.” — comedian Steve Martin.

“Richard Pryor was one of the true pioneers of his art form. He was the Charlie Parker of comedy, a master of telling the truth that influenced every comedian that came after him. Our friendship went back to his days as a young comedian at Cafe Wha in New York, and although I will miss him like a brother, the legacy that he leaves will forever be with us.” — music producer Quincy Jones.

“He was the single most seminal, comedic influence in the last 50 years. It was so appropriate that he received the inaugural Mark Twain prize, as they both did the same thing. Mark Twain showed us what it was like on the frontier and living on the Mississippi and what it was like living at the turn of the century, and Richard Pryor showed us what it was like to live in the inner city. His concepts are so hysterically funny and unique.” — comedian Bob Newhart.

“I wish that every new and young comedian would understand what Richard was about and not confuse his genius with his language usage.” — comedian Bill Cosby.

“The Comedy Store could never thank you enough for the gift you gave us all - the gift of yourself ... to the audience, to the other comics and the elevation of your humor to a one-man art form.” — Mitzi Shore, owner of The Comedy Store club in Los Angeles.