Opinio Juris

All Hallows Eve is the day before All Hallows (All Saints Day). That was a day to celebrate all the martyrs who died during the persecution of the early Church by Romans (who I suppose wanted to exterminate Christians). Of course, Halloween has nothing to do with martyrs just as most Purim celebration has little to do with the Book of Esther. There is a tradition in both Halloween and Purim to dress up in costumes and wear masks, which I suppose is a pretty reasonable basis for the comparison.

NSD,

A little of both, more of the former. I desperately, desperately don't want McCain to be president, but I don't think he would be anywhere near as bad as his predecessor. And his IQ is definitely far higher...