Purim has costumes? I must google this when I get back from lunch.

Madonna went to some Purim thing dressed as a schoolgirl, and her boyfriend as Heath Ledger's Joker. I kid you not.

The one dressed as "Death" doesn't bother me. It's not so far removed as kids dressing as Death/Grim Reaper/Ghouls for Halloween. The funniest one I saw was a kid of about 5 dressed in one of the big box-like fur hats with a huge fake beard. Other than that, I was being so vigilant (in that neighborhood they just step out in front of you as you're driving) for jaywalkers that I really didn't pay attention.

Yep, Death alone didn't seem so strange... but in conjunction with the IRA guy/British policeman (and coinciding with the recent shootings in N. Ireland), it seemed a little... creepy.

That's my Harry Shearer is dressed as a king here?

You're right scody, I didn't realize they were traveling together! That is creepy...or insensitive. Or making a statement. Who knows?

A kid in New York was in black face as Obama

Per Wikipedia:
Purim is characterized by public recitation of the Book of Esther (keriat ha-megilla), giving mutual gifts of food and drink (mishloach manot), giving charity to the poor (mattanot la-evyonim), and a celebratory meal (se'udat Purim);[1] other customs include drinking wine, wearing of masks and costumes, and public celebration.

The More You Know™

Thanks, deborah.

I'm ashamed, actually, to know so little about Judaism and its holidays and traditions. In my very feeble defense, though, it's a product of where I was raised. The first Jewish person I ever even met was this girl from New Jersey who lived on my floor, freshman year of college. She was the most exotic person I'd ever come across, and I was enthralled.

She didn't teach me much about Jewish holidays, though.

Heck, Mr. V IS Jewish, and I had more of an interest in his religion than he did. I still have Jewish books around the house, with history and holidays and recipes.