BE PARANOID, BE VERY PARANOID

It may actually be a one of the natural laws of high anxiety. When things start looking good for a change, we cast around for reasons for it all to go wrong. Such is the nature of paranoia. (The following story was sent by Peromyscus.)

“Here is the latest big-picture conspiracy theory, which has been gathering strength on the blogosphere the way a hurricane feeds on Caribbean waters: It is widely believed, both online and, increasingly, offline, that the Bush administration intends to declare martial law and postpone next month's elections. To prevent Barack Obama's inevitable ascension to the Oval Office, obviously.
This theory/rumor/delusion dates back almost a year and a half, with the appearance on the White House website of National Security Presidential Directive 51, which outlined a policy for "continuity of government" in the event of a national emergency. Such emergency is defined as "any incident . . . that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the US population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions." (Click for the full story)

On the other hand, Ireland's largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, is now laying 20-1 that the American election will be postponed, odds which have shortened from 40-1 in just one week. We can only pray (to paraphrase The Pioneers) this longshot kicks the bucket. There will be no weepin' and wailin'.

The secret (and venerable) phrase will be Rising Up Angry