i just noticed that passwd doesn't ask for the original password when you
   are root trying to change root's password.  i don't like that at all.  i
   really thing that passwd should ask for the old password when you try to
   change it for yourself, especially when you are root.

well, besides being how every other UNIX(tm) and UN*X-like(tm) system
works, i think you're missing something.


if i'm root, i can change the password file manually.  why should
passwd(1) ask me for a password when i can make it anything i like
anyway ?