Happy MLK Day ... and then some

First things first: Happy MLK Day

UPDATE: Greg Boyd offers a few theological thoughts that I tend to agree with on the meaning of this day.

A few additional thoughts over at the other blog. I've got more on my reading list, podcast list, and DVD viewing list than I really ought to have right now. But it's all too highly engrossing to pass up on. For today, I'll just try and stick to Taylor Branch's "Parting the Waters."

Secondly: Patriots and ... Giants??? Way to suck out half the joy of the Super Bowl for me, guys! I guess I'm stuck with being just another hostile Patriots fan for two weeks instead of cheering on what should have been one of the most memorable Super Bowls ever. Granted, the Giants aren't pushovers and Eli's last name is still Manning. But all that said, I'm still hoping we see 19-0 this season.

Thirdly: It's a week of decisionmaking in Gregville. Van Halen comes to town, but I'm leaning against the principle of plunking down $150 for a ticket. Stellar Kart hits town on the 26th. Much cheaper ticket, but the bill looks a bit longer than my interest in youthful Christian punk rock does these days. Maybe I'll hit it, but plan on arriving somewhat late. We'll see.

Among a few other quick links to pass on for the day:

» Sheila Dracula-Gonzales discusses her change of heart on the issue of abortion. Naturally, none of the reasoning had anything to do with her sudden interest in running for Congress.

» In East Texas, they're having their way with graven images: Beaumont with an MLK statue ... Port Arthur with a Janis Joplin historic marker.

» Decent article in the NY Times about Huckabee's use of the pulpit as part of his campaign methodology. It's among the issues I have with Huckabee. You'll see him take the pulpit at a church - almost always arranged by James Robison - and announce that he's not there as a Presidential candidate. Really? I can't imagine what it feels like to open up a sermon with a flat-out lie like that. Where was the whirlwind tour of megachurches when you were a lowly Lt. Governor? ... or Governor?

FWIW, the Chron opens up their primary campaign attention with a Huckabee story.

» With only a small amount of voting to be done before SuperDuper Tuesday, it looks like Obama should pick up South Carolina and Florida should get the second verdict in on whether the south is more favorable territory for McCain or Huckabee. Seems most of the analysis of the South Carolina numbers suggest that McCain won with less support among Republican than he had in 2000. Chalk it up to a fractured field. That's what should make Feb. 5 so interesting. Are there enough winner-takes-all states out there to prevent a muddled outcome for the GOP side?

» And what of the Dem side on that day? Some early number crunching going on about the views of southern black voters, with most of it suggesting Hillary still has a healthy plurality. We'll see if that holds after South Carolina.If Hillary can manage some key wins in the south (I'm not including Florida, though she should win there), it'll go a long way towards handing her the nomination. Add California to that mix, too. That state always has been an oddball in the primaries. Hill's up by double digits for now, but my gut tells me that's due to be incredibly competitive. Time to check and see where folks are spending their ad dollars.