Our condolences to the Lieberman family, who lost their matriarch, Marcia Lieberman, last month at the age of 90. Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman has attracted media attention for the beard he has grown since his mother’s passing; his “scruffy” appearance raised a few eyebrows at a press conference last week until it became known that he was observing the Jewish tradition of shloshim (“thirty”), which prohibits shaving and other forms of personal grooming for thirty days after the burial of a loved one. (The family has already moved through first seven days of grieving at home, known as sitting shiva.)
Once upon a time in 2000, pundits made fun of Al Gore for his hairy mug; we hope this time the mouths-that-be will keep their bad beard jokes to themselves.
Photo c/o http://lieberman.senate.gov.