Creed

WASHINGTON -- As the Lewinsky parenthesis in America's political conversation comes to a close, consider two changes it has accelerated. One is a revision of the job description of president. The other is the conservatives' collapse of confidence.The first is partly the result of a conservative impulse, and partly a product of conservatives' excesses. The second requires conservatives to practice the cardinal virtue of their creed -- prudence, which involves facing facts and distinguishing between those that can be changed and those that must be accommodated.

ANNAPOLIS -- People who think the impeachment of President Clinton could never actually happen should listen more closely to Republican Party stalwarts, such as the Marylanders meeting here yesterday, who consider the need to remove the president an article of faith."

Creed may be the hard-rock success story of the moment, rising from relative obscurity to platinum status in less than a year, but it hasn't let success go to its head. As guitarist Mark Tremonti told Guitar World recently, the band owes its audience to the fact that it fills a void in the marketplace."People have apparently missed the singer-guitar-bass-drums approach to rock and roll," said Tremonti.If so, then they'll have no trouble getting their fill at the Merriweather Post Pavilion tomorrow.

Q. In reference to a recent letter concerning a toddler's inability to share, I am sending you a copy of the "Toddler's Creed."We were blessed with three children, of whom we could not be more proud, and one "perfect" granddaughter, age 10. She has a wonderful mother who delights in their relationship and is teaching her how to be a terrific human being.Hope the previous writer sees the creed. It is a delightful piece - and absolutely true. Fortunately, this stage usually passes away in good time.

Name: Barry FuhrmanClub: Woodholme Country ClubAge: 55Born: BaltimoreYears a professional: 32Years at present club: 24Career highlights: As a player, he won three Baltimore Publinx championships in the mid-1960's, and the Middle Atlantic Open in 1977. A strong club professional, his attitude toward his profession is a model for others, and one shared by many of his fellow pros. His creed includes service as the name of the game, a warm greeting and a friendly smile for all members and guests, and always have them believe they have had a good day, regardless of their score.

An Oakland Mills High School senior was named a semifinalist this month in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, the second straight year a Howard County student has earned recognition in what is widely considered to be the nation's most prestigious high school science contest.Aaron Bodoh-Creed, 17, was one of the 15 students from Maryland among the contest's 300 semifinalists. This year's competition attracted 1,652 entries from across the country."I'm really excited and honored to be picked as a semifinalist," said the teen-ager, whose project was "The Effects of Cosmological Time Dilation on Gamma Ray Bursts."

WASHINGTON -- Even to a White House toughened by shocks -- a presidential friend's suicide, another sent to prison, gunshots against the mansion walls -- the death of Ron Brown was numbing.No one expects a zestful, complicated life to be snuffed out.Of the people around Bill Clinton, Mr. Brown had the most style. He was best-dressed man in any room, oozing self-confidence, wit and elegance -- too smooth for critics' tastes. He took a dead-end job as commerce secretary and ran hard with it.He was also the most complex.

WASHINGTON -- A dozen years ago in a debate with then-Lt. Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York, Republican gubernatorial nominee Lew Lehrman accused Cuomo of hiring a pollster to determine what issues were popular and then shaping his positions accordingly. Cuomo pounced on him, asking: "Like the death penalty?"It was well known at the time that Cuomo steadfastly opposed imposition of the death penalty in the face of public-opinion polls strongly favoring it. Cuomo narrowly beat Lehrman for the governorship in spite of his unpopular position on capital punishment.

Brian Cook wanted off his Shetland pony, but his mother said no. She knew her 16-year-old son had slept only three hours Friday night and that the temperature was almost 100 degrees.But this was the Olympics; quitting was not an option.Barbara Cook of Mount Airy stood outside the show ring and grumbled as her son dropped the reins. He looked pleadingly at her as he rode past and said he needed to use a bathroom. She shot his picture.The young man, who was born with deformed hands and arms half the normal size, stayed in the saddle.

When Ken Creed arrives in Severna Park next week, he'll bring 1,000 miles of traveling adventure, from Smith Island to the Florida Keys, via the Intracoastal Waterway.A professional filmmaker and traveler, Mr. Creed is the first of four travel writers scheduled in Severna Park in February through Windoes Travelogues Inc., a company that hires professional travelers to narrate films, and the Severna Park Rotary Club.The series, which the club hopes to use as a fund-raiser for local charities, also will focus on trips to Italy and England and a tour of scenic rivers around the world, said Roger Carlquist, the project chairman.