Eugene McCarthy (1916-2005).

There are numerous and compelling reasons to note the passing of Richard Pryor, whose often hilarious artistic expression nonetheless spoke movingly and deeply about the national condition in America.

And yet ... given the primacy of Iraq in the national conscience, and the inescapable parallels with an earlier period in the nation's history, a remembrance of Gene McCarthy seems in order.

Eugene McCarthy, who galvanized a generation of war opponents, dies, by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio (December 10, 2005).