The jury has now entered the deliberation phase. Meaning that now I am in the thick of it. And sadly, that is all I can say about it until a verdict is rendered.

But thanks for everyone’s input on this post as well as on the previous post regarding my addiction to Civilization. Glad to know I am not alone.

And yes, I can see how conspiracists will take this Casual as even more evidence that the neocons are carefully planning their takeover of, well, civilization. You see it all starts with building temples…

For TWS subscribers, I have recently admitted to my addiction to the game Civilization in this week’s issue.

Those of you who have the honor of residing in the District of Columbia know that every two years, like clockwork, your jury summons arrives in your mailbox. And those of you who have heeded that summons also know there is a good chance you will end up serving on a jury trial–due to a dwindling pool. So it came as no surprise this morning when four judges needed potential jurors, myself among them, and one of the judges needed at least 40 individuals. And sure enough, I have been chosen. We’re told that serving on a jury is something you should do once in your life. This will be my second trial. After speaking to other jurors who have lived in the District for some time, I am expecting to serve on juries every other year for as long as I live here. Not to mention grand juries and appeals and whatever else they’ll throw at me.

But rest assured, when the verdict is in, I’ll be happy to share the details of this criminal trial with our readers.

Galley Friend B.W. sends this link ton an eBay auction. On offer: a life-size X-Wing fighter.

From Galley Brother B.J.: Star Wars Arcade Record Attempt:

Star Wars Arcade Record Attempt

Posted By Mark on April 23, 2005

25 year old Brandon Erickson of Portland, Oregon will attempt what few have achieved – a non-stop marathon play of the original Star Wars Arcade video game. From noon May 16th to the midnight screening of Episode III on May 18th, he hopes to break a 22 year old record standing since Return of the Jedi in 1983:

Brandon, who is “the world’s premiere classic Star Wars competitor” according to videogame record keepers Twin Galaxies, says beating the 300 million point score is his most ambitious attempt yet. “The challenge is maintaining focus over such a long period of time. Letting go for even 30 seconds means ‘game over.’ There is very little room for letting my concentration flag.”

With newer Star Wars games available, why play the first one? “It’s a way to celebrate the original films, and the games of that era,” he says. “Aside from that, it’s a heck of a lot of fun. It’s hard to top playing Luke Skywalker as he blows up the Death Star.”

Brandon’s dedication and endurance will mirror that of Star Wars fans standing in lines at movie theaters worldwide. “I feel a sense of solidarity and camaraderie,” he says. “May the Force be with them. Hopefully someone will save me a seat!”

Says the Galley Brother: “At least he picked the best game.”

In a fabulous piece Joseph Bottum wonders if Benedict XVI might be the last European pope:

After nearly three centuries of enlightened disdain for religion, Europe is about as dechristianized as it’s likely to get; everyone who’s going to leave the

Church already has, and still there are millions of believers scattered across the continent–to say nothing of the billion or so who don’t happen to live a train ride away from Rome. In all likelihood, the European Union and the national governments will soon cave in and grant their Muslim immigrants the religious exemptions those governments have consistently refused to grant Catholics. And that will prove what the Vatican claimed all the way back in its struggles with the French Revolution: The European form of Enlightenment secularism and laïcité was never some purely philosophical stand on the necessary political separation of church and state; it always began and ended with anti-Catholicism.

It still does. As the refusal to mention Christianity in the historical preface to the new constitution of the European Union proves, Catholics in Western Europe are going to have to look out for themselves. They’re only a remnant, but they’re still a large one, and to them Benedict XVI can continue carrying the message of the Church–even though they live on a continent where the Italian conservative Rocco Buttiglione was not allowed to become a European commissioner because, it was argued, his Catholicism was incompatible with the office, and where influential French figures protested loudly when France’s president dared to attend John Paul II’s funeral.

Amazing piece. It should be your first read this weekend.

With regard to Nats mascot Screech, kudos to Galley reader “Patrick” who proves the name Screech is fitting since he’ll be “Dustin’ the Diamond.” As for “That Dude from Philly,” props as well for the reference to Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, though I’d much rather see Jessie Spano. (And whatever happened to Lark Voorhies?) This brings me to “Duane,” who laments our mutual knowledge of SBTB. There is nothing to lament, Duane. That show was a celebration of all that is good and wholesome in America.

On the other hand, I recently came across an episode of Happy Days. It was but a fleeting moment (probably on TV Land), but it was clearly one of the decrepit episodes sometime in the 50th or 60th season, ca. 1984. How could I tell? The show is supposed to take place in the 1950s and early 1960s, but for some reason Erin Moran is sporting a perm. What were they thinking?

The Associated Press recently reported that Pat Ewing Jr., son of Georgetown legend Patrick Ewing, has decided to transfer from Indiana University to Georgetown. Other press reports say this has yet to be confirmed by GU officials, but most believe the deal is all but sealed. If so, the Hoyas will acquire a rather sizable forward in Ewing Jr., who is 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds. The only problem at the moment are his stats: As a Hoosier, Ewing only started 5 games, averaging 4 points and 3.8 rebounds. (In addition, he would have to sit out the next season.) But if Brandon Bowman (mistakenly) decides to go pro–he has already announced his intention to enter the NBA Draft–we will need all the help we can get. (Bowman will not be retaining an agent for the draft, however, which means he can still opt out at the last minute after testing the waters.)