Did you happen to see the tribute to John Belushi on television this past week? (Or TRY until the cable went out?) John was an incredible comic talent who created fascinating characters. What brings him to mind this morning is the delightfully wacky pair that he and Saturday Night Live partner Dan Ackroyd teamed up to create - Jake and Elwood, the Blues Brothers. These two genial bozos are sent out on an ill-fated fund-raising mission for their old parochial school by a fierce old nun. As they blunder through a series of larcenous schemes and make general movie mayhem, Jake and Elwood establish their credibility by quietly proclaiming to all their detractors, "We're on a mission from God."

Right! In the face of ludicrous and often illegal fund-raising attempts, Jake and Elwood's explanati…