I should add that it sure looks better than the "bug smiter" used by her
predecessor in office which seemed to be at least 10 inches in
*diameter* and clearly intended to convey the message: "we'll crush you".

J.



John wrote:
LOL.. There's a great photo on the NY Times web site home page right now
showing the new Speaker of the House holding a long, slender gavel over
her head (and those of the children collected for this photo op). To my
mind the gavel is a perfect example of being "proportionate to body
type." Clearly a showpiece, it's somewhat longer than 10 inches but it
looks good in her hand just the same.

How apropos.

J.