… and maybe longer:

Kidney donors have a normal life span, study finds

That’s wonderful news. Those who need new kidneys — and those who love them — can continue asking, with clean consciences. — Kenny

As usual, she’s thoughtful, sober, and correct:

Take my kidney, please 

Sally Satel is a wonderful advocate for all those in need of organ transplants. We should support her. — Kenny

I’m just a kidney, but I can’t help but note this gaffe in a document from McCain’s camp. This is how the document reads:

REPORTED FALSEHOODS AND SMEARS AGAINST GOV. PALIN’S FAMILY AND HISTORIC CANDIDACY:

• Liberal Bloggers Questioned Whether Gov. Palin’s Fifth Child Was Actually Bristol Palin’s Child.

“‘Where has Bristol Palin (far right, holding Trig, with a ring on her wedding finger) been for the past year? Has she been attending high school? Or was she absent because of infectious mononucleosis for between five and eight months, as is now being reported on the Internet? Why would a 43-year-old woman, on her fifth pregnancy, with a Down syndrome child, after her amniotic fluid has started to leak, not go to the nearest hospital immediately, even if she was in Texas for a speech? Why would she not only not go to the hospital in Texas, but take an eight-hour plane flight to Seattle and then Anchorage? Why would she choose to deliver the baby not in the nearest major facility in Anchorage but at a much smaller hospital near her home town? Why did the flight attendants on the trip home say she bore no signs of being pregnant?’ It strikes me as likely that there are reasonable answers to these questions — more reasonable than the only one given so far” (Andrew Sullivan, “Things That Make You Go Hmmm,” The Atlantic’s “The Daily Dish” Blog, Posted 8/31/08)

I realize the McCain people are just discovering the Internet, but can’t they at least *ask* someone? Andrew Sullivan’s been around a long time. Anyone who pays any attention to politics knows that he’s a conservative Roman Catholic. He’s an independent thinker, sure. And he’s gay, which does give him a unique spin. But liberal? Don’t think so, folks. — Kenny

My manager’s hip, innovative employer, Federated Media, just launched this cool site in connection with a great music festival that’ll take place in Golden Gate Park on August 22nd, 23rd and 24th. Radiohead, Primus, Beck, Tom Petty, Wilco … helluva lineup. Wish we could be there. If you’re lucky enough to live nearby, check it out! – Kenny

On July 1, my manager learned that one of his former teachers, Clay Felker, had died at the age of 82. Clay led an amazing life. My manager took a class from him in 1995 at UC Berkeley, which named a magazine center after Clay. The school did this to honor him for having founded New York and Ms. Magazines, and for mentoring so many wonderful writers — Tom Wolfe, Gail Sheehy (whom Clay ultimately married, and who took such great care of Clay while he was ailing for the past 12 years), Gay Talese, Gloria Steinem, and on and on.

Clay’s funeral was very moving, my manager says. Clay had been in the Navy, and two sailors who doubtless never met him performed a ritual with an American flag, finally folding it and handing it to Gail, as the Air Force had once handed a similar flag to my manager’s mother after his father died. As he watched the two young sailors perform with great solemnity and respect, it occurred to Bill that one of the few things these men could be certain of is that someday, they, too, will be honored in this way.

Tom Wolfe, who wrote a wonderful cover story about Clay, read excerpts from it aloud at the funeral reception, which Mr. Wolfe hosted. While there, Bill was able to talk with one of his great idols, Robert Caro, and with Robert’s wife, Ina — and to tell him that he, Bill, had managed to convince his, Bill’s, book club to begin to read his, Robert’s, immense and spectacular biography of LBJ. Bill wondered for a moment if it might somehow be wrong to pass the time at a funeral by meeting some of the amazing people in attendance. But then it occurred to him that Clay himself would certainly have approved — and, if Clay had seen Bill *not* meeting such people, he, Clay, would have scolded Bill, saying, “Well, there they are — what are you waiting for?”

Clay is gone, but his voice remains, in the heads and hearts of all who met him. Bill feels lucky to have been one of them.

Not to PKD, this time, but a real loss nonetheless. All of our lives are diminished when someone so vital leaves us:

Lt. Col. Joseph B. Mahoney Jr. (Retired) entered into eternal life on Monday, May 26, 2008. He was born March 1, 1938, in Springfield, Mass., to the late Joseph B., Sr. and Madeleine Rushford Mahoney. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marcia Moynahan Mahoney; four children: Peggy Mahoney Santry (husband Steve), J.B. Mahoney III (wife Marie), Patrick Mahoney (wife Kathleen), and Erin Mahoney Berrigan (husband Patrick); and one sister, Mary Lynne Farrell of Monmouth Beach, N.J.

His memory will live on through his 12 grandchildren: Kyle, Scott and Ryan Santry, Eric, Jessica and Ashley Mahoney, Patrick, Faith and Aidan Mahoney, and Madeleine, Claire and Patrick Berrigan.

During his 21-year career as an Air Force command pilot, he flew the C-118 and the C-133 for more than 6,500 hours, including serving in the Vietnam War. For his service to the United States of America, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Private interment services and military honors at Biloxi National Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Lt. Col. Joseph B. Mahoney Jr. (Retired) to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Attn: Contributions, One Intrepid Square, West 46th St. &12th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10036 or at www.fallenheroesfund.org. Sign the family Guest Book online at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

— Kenny

In a very small way. Middle photo, top row, next to his fiancée. Let’s hope the publicity doesn’t go to his head.

— Kenny