Cold, dry winter nights bring conditions perfect for listening to far-away AM radio stations. After a late night at the theater the other day, I drove home while listening to a far-right call in talk show from Cincinnati. The female co host discussed how the current election “crisis” was foretold in the bible using the bible code. The male co host advocated, should Gore assume the presidency, and armed revolution in the streets, proclaiming the upcoming fight the “Second Battle of Athens.” Very inflammatory, you betcha. I wondered what he meant by the Battle of Athens. I went through the Greek history I’ve got stored in my head, but couldn’t think of a pivotal pro-democracy battle fought in Athens. It turns out I didn’t have to think so far back, nor so far away. In 1946, in Athens, Tennessee, a corrupt county government was overthrown by force by a group of former GIs, after fighting a bitter political struggle. Even though I taught US History myself, I’d never heard of this event. A successful armed rebellion on US soil? Only 50 years ago? I’m surprised the NRA doesn’t trumpet this battle in its Second Amendment defense.

I’ve been listening to the arguments before the Florida Supreme Court. Gore’s side had the first hour, and the justices were aggressive in their questioning. The justices sounded well prepared and clearly recognized the importance of the case. Gore’s lawyers took the questioning well. Bush’s lawyers are currently wrapping up the second hour, and it sounds like they’re using a script written by Bush himself. They’ve been talking in contradictory circles, and the justices are simply skewering them. The lawyers have stuttered, stammered, hemmed and hawed. Several justices have had to demand that the lawyer answer the question, when dodging yew or no questions. It’s been amazing to listen to. I’m curious to see how the spin machines handle it, and (even though it seems clear) how the court decides.

Work is a bear right now. Coworkers are mighty grumpy. We’ve released some major changes to our software this week, as beta, to a couple long-time customers and a new one half the continent away. I’m striving to keep a handle on things, but it’s a lot to manage. Meanwhile, I’m in a play this week as well.

The AAA (formerly known as the American Automobile Association) is the second largest member organization in the country, behind only the Catholic church. With so many members, you can guess that the club wields a lot of political power, and you’d be right. But did you know that they use that power to lobby for more pollution, more sprawl, and less safe cars? I didn’t either. I’m a lapsed member, and you can bet I won’t re-up any time soon.

The Dictatortots are in concert at Athens’ legendary 40 Watt, and, as usual, the local press is in a tizzy.

The current The Onion is top notch.

An Intemperance witicism:

Maybe you read an earlier entry of mine regarding my inability to navigate [Atlanta]. And I will concede that I don’t have the keenest sense of direction. But even Magellan would get lost here. Of course, he probably would have been smart and just circumnavigated it.

The Atlanta Humane Society has an on-line Pet of the Week, ready for adoption. Today’s sounds adorable: 10 month old male puppy, Pitt Lab mix, lovable, playful, has lived with cats and other animals. The picture, though, shows a sharp fanged killing machine, ready to rip the heart from the cameraman.

Happy Birthday to Ghost in the Machine! Kevin Murphy was the first person to call me a progressive to my face. His simple comment in a short email made me realize for the first time that my political bent had wandered away from the Libertarians square into the progressive camp. And now that I’m looking around, I realize that I really like the view from here. Here’s to another superb year for one of the best weblogs out there!

South Carolina’s The State newspaper is reporting that al least two S.C. electoral college delegates say they have been asked to change vote to Gore. One delegate is a Bob Jones University graduate. “I’d cut my arm off first before voting for Al Gore. "