The Buzz doesn't often show its softer side, but even we are moved by the wonderful words of the Rev. George Meetze , chaplain of the Senate.

If only those blockhead senators would listen every day when Meetze begins the session with a prayer. Here are passages from a few of our recent favorites:

• "When the going of a senator gets tough, leave us not destitute of the spirit of forbearance and patience!

"Through tedious hours of group thinking, give us meekness of heart, gentleness of spirit, and a full measure of charity, that, at the end of the day, we may offer the best budget possible, under the present economic conditions."

• "Father, as we return to our duties today, we do not ask to be extricated heroically from difficult situations, but we do pray for a spirit of understanding of the labors and pressures of each other as all of us seek to do our own jobs.

"Where we are in error, reform us!

"Where we seem empty-handed, furnish us!

"Where we are right, strengthen and confirm us!"

• "With the world so beautiful, cradled beneath the sun of which the psalmist said, 'You have set up a tent for the sun,' please help us to try to match nature's glory and grandeur with some beauty of human kindness, and a bit of brotherhood, with a little bit of faith, hope and love thrown in for good measure!"

Let the Buzz say, "Amen!"

CAN WE GET ANOTHER AMEN?

The Buzz had a Beaz sighting this week, and may we say, he was looking tanned, rested and ready.

Yes, former Gov. David Beasley was in the building, making the rounds at the State House. He'd come up from Florence to lead the Thursday morning prayer group of state Sen. Verne Smith, R-Greenville.

Did he have any advice for the legislators?

"Pray," quoth The Beaz. "Pray and be nice."

THE ONCE AND FUTURE CHAIRMAN FORMERLY KNOWN AS ...

House Ways and Means Committee chairman Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, has been a bad boy. Or at least a recent letter from Gov. Mark Sanford would lead one to believe it.

When Sanford wrote Harrell last week to outline the governor's plan for spending new federal money, the letter was addressed to "Then Honorable" Bobby Harrell. As in once honorable. As in no longer honorable.

But Harrell took it in stride. When asked when he stopped being honorable, Harrell quipped, "I'm surprised he didn't say, 'Now and then honorable.'‘"

GO, SPEED RACER, GO

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer had the pedal to the metal again last week, but this time he wasn't making a race track out of Assembly Street.

Bauer, ticketed recently for driving too fast and running red lights in downtown Columbia, was racing go-carts at Frankie's Fun Park last week at a benefit for high school kids.

But Bauer said he was not -- NOT -- racing the go-carts.

"I was riding in go-carts," Bauer said. "I let every kid pass me. I was driving like a grandma. I was whistling."

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DYLAN THOMAS, R-WALES

Gotta love the futile fight for its beauty, its idealism -- its poetry, even.

Take state Sen. John Kuhn, R- Charleston. Spurred by Congress' sending billions to the states, Kuhn is asking the feds to take over all responsibility for Medicaid, the joint state and federal health care program.

Kuhn is introducing a resolution asking Congress to pay for all the costs. "Why? Because we can't afford it, that's why!" Kuhn said.

Kuhn showed his plan to House Majority Leader Rick Quinn, R-Richland.

Quinn chuckled, then laughed.

"Rage, man," Quinn said. "Rage, rage against the dying of the light!"

WELL, THERE WAS THAT TIME BACK IN ...

Poor John Land.

The Senate Minority Leader was having trouble getting people to believe he was actually for the cigarette tax.

Some people were actually trying to say the Clarendon Democrat didn't really want it, since he was blocking the 53-cent per-pack tax when tied to Gov. Mark Sanford's income-tax swap.

Land asked state Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Aiken, to defend him.

"Senator," Moore said, "my friend, I don't believe there's ever been a tax you haven't been for."

TAKING LEAVE OF THEIR SENATORS

We like this whole Senate concept of "leave."

Senators can ask permission from their colleagues for "leave," so they can attend speaking engagements, lead church services, go to their kids' soccer games.

The Buzz admits, we wouldn't mind asking for leave either, especially when the Senate goes on for 12 hours. In recess. When you can't leave.

But the Buzz was stunned at how many people asked for leave Tuesday night. We lost count at 8, out of 46. It became comical.

Senators knew state Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, was threatening an all-night filibuster on tax increases.

So state Sen. Luke Rankin, D-Horry, said, "Unanimous consent for Sen. Knotts to have leave, from now until infinity."

Laughs all around.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer was trying to keep track. He finally said, "Is there anyone who does not wish to leave?"

FUNNY MONEY

Columbia tourism groups this week made pitches for the $5.6 million to be generated by the city's new 2-cent restaurant tax.

Museums. The Zoo. Theater and arts groups.

One by one, directors and foundation chairs tried to convince City Council they each need a big slice of the new pie.

One group -- the Lake Murray visitor center, aka Capital City/Lake Murray Country -- even trotted out "Mayor Bob Bucks" to try to hook some of the money.

The $24 bill sports Hizzoner Bob Coble's smiling mug and represents how much money Lake Murray boosters promise to return for each dollar the council donates.

Of course, SCE&G will probably draw down that figure by 13 bucks.