The final mushers have made it into Nome:

76 Martin Koenig (96)^r [Montana]

77 Liz Parrish (75)^r [Oregon]

78 Deborah Bicknell (21)^r

That means that Deborah Bicknell wins the Red Lantern for being the last finisher and it’s 50 weeks until the Iditarod.

I feel really bad for Molly Yazwinski (62)^r who scratched at White Mountain today. She left just before midnight on the 16^th with Liz and Deborah, but apparently had to turn back. I would guess it was her team, because humans can fool themselves into believing and doing incredibly foolish things, but dogs tend to be more realistic. So close, but no belt buckle.

For a round-up of all the prizes awarded read the Finishers Banquet article at the official race website.

CNN reports on the first of what will probably be many law suits: Attorney: DNC violates Constitution

Atlanta (CNN) — The Democratic National Committee is violating the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment by allowing only four states to hold caucuses or primaries before the first Tuesday in February, a Florida attorney argued Monday before a federal appeals court.

Attorney Michael Steinberg filed suit in August on behalf of Democratic Party activist Vincent Dimaio.

The suit came after the DNC said it would not seat Florida delegates at the national convention because the state party defied party rules and scheduled its primary for January 29.

A federal judge in Florida dismissed the lawsuit in October, but Dimaio appealed.

[Read more →]

The BBC reports: Florida ditches new primary plan

Supporters of Mr Obama had opposed re-staging the primary.

Mr Obama expressed concern over whether a Florida postal vote could be held with fairness and accuracy if it was organised at such short notice. But had said his campaign would “abide by whatever the DNC decides”.

Mrs Clinton had called for the primary to be run again or the January results honoured.

The DNC had said it would not support the plan unless both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton backed it.

So no vote is much fairer than any vote that might help someone other than himself according to Mr. Obama.

Should Mr. Obama win the nomination, I wouldn’t suggest he come to Florida – he won’t be welcome. I would also suggest that the title of this post reflects the attitude of many progressives in the state with regard to the national party, and wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the current Democrats become independents to keep their seats.

The donkey has become a jackass.

Éireann go Brách!

Well everyone agrees that he died on March 17^th, but the year is subject to debate. This is his normal¹ feast day on the Catholic calendar. Enjoy as you are wont.

Wikipedia has more on Saint Patrick’s Day, if you need more.

1. Because it’s Holy Week, Saints’ feast days are moved, but heathens will be celebrating anyway.