I’ve already pointed out today’s holiday, so I guess I should make mention of that other thing. No, not the new Buffy episode (though it promises to be a funny one). That other deal. The thing that cannot be escaped. It’s in the news everywhere. Even being closely followed in the UK. Yep, I mean the 2002 mid-term elections. The Independent calls it like I see it: “The fighting will be close, the spectacle exciting, the outcome meaningless”. I will be voting, as I always do. But how much does my vote really count? I’m faced with the dilemma familiar to those who share some of my beliefs. Should I look to the future and use my vote to help the Green Party (to capture that crucial 5% of the vote), or to keep the Republicans at bay right now? Not that most Democrats are much better, but I’ll have to move to Iceland if creepy Coleman is elected. Ew. I get the willies thinking about it. But Iceland is great this time of year.