The BBC reports on Crazy Uncle Roy’s latest ‘crusade’:

Judges in Alabama have been ordered not to issue marriage licences to gay couples, on the day a ban on same-sex weddings was due to be lifted.

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore sent an order telling judges they were not bound by a federal court ruling that declared Alabama’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional.

His critics have accused him trying to advance his “personal beliefs”.

But at least one county has already begun issuing licences to gay couples.

Ol’ Roy was the Chief Justice of Alabama when he had a stone monument incised with one of the multiple versions of the Ten Commandments, put it in the Alabama Supreme Court building, and defied orders to remove it. This resulted in his impeachment. Well, he ran again and won again as the voters in Alabama enjoy circuses more than the law.

It will end up the same way it did the last time he defied an order from the Federal courts – large legal bills and a special election after he is thrown off the court. He thinks his opinions are the only law in Alabama.

The BBC reports on the latest invasion of privacy – Not in front of the telly: Warning over ‘listening’ TV.

The so-called ‘Smart televisions’ are bugging devices. Samsung only talks about the TVs where the voice command system is turned on, but if it can do it for anything, it can do it for everything, even without the appearance of an icon.

Today was a ‘massacre’ in the 300. Simi Morrison ((58), Dave King (57), and Jake Berkowitz (61) scratched at Carmacks. Jim Bruton (69) was withdrawn, probably for failing to make progress. The stunner was a rookie mistake by Marcelle Fressineau (63) that got her disqualified. She didn’t get the mandatory vet check at Braeburn.

Michelle has a lead over Aliy as they once again vie for the win with 50 miles to go.

The Current Standings at 4:00PM CST (2:00PM PST):

Beyond Pelly Crossing
1 Michelle Phillips (54)
2 Aliy Zirkle (55)
Beyond Carmacks
3 Alex Serdjukov (68)
4 Martine Le Levier (53)
5 Timofei Gynuntegin (51)
6 Olaf Thurau (56)
7 Claudia Wickert (60)
8 Gaetan Pierrard (64)
9 Kim Franklin (59)
10 Alexandra Rochat (62)
11 Peter Reuter (65)

The race on with the ‘usual suspects’ at the front: Allen, Hugh, and Brent. The Pelly Crossing checkpoint marks the first quarter of the race – only 750 miles to go.

Update: Scott Smith (15) and Tamra Reynolds (6)^R have scratched at Carmacks ‘for the good of the teams’ – the puppies weren’t happy. With the extreme temperatures, many sled dogs are smarter than their musher about survival and won’t run, preferring to lay down in a tight circle with their tails over their faces.

Tony Angelo (10)^R and Matt Hall (25) have also scratched

The Current Standings at 10:00PM CST (8:00PM PST):

Beyond Pelly Crossing
1 Brent Sass (2)
2 Hugh Neff (26)
3 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (18)
4 Jeff King (9)
5 Allen Moore (1)
6 Cody Strathe (4)
7 Ray Redington Jr (19)^R
8 Ed Hopkins (20)
9 Lance Mackey (8)
10 Rolland Trowbridge (13)^R
11 Normand Casavant (3)
12 Torsten Kohnert (14)
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