Okay. California recall? Really, really weird.

Leaving aside the questions about a tiny percentage of voters being able to overturn an election, and the stupidity of paying for a new election when the main issue everyone is concerned about is the budget deficit, and the fact that it's actually against California's constitution...

It's just crazy. First there's the numbers. I'm trying to figure out how they're going to handle the ballot. I've read estimates of 200-300 candidates. Apparently they get listed in random order. Even though there are a limited number of major candidates, this still sets things up for a winner with a very small percentage of the vote, which is disturbing for those of us who are democratically-minded.

And then, of course, there's the candidates. Arnold Schwarzenegger, of course. Larry Flynt. Gary Coleman. Arianna Huffington. (And possibly her ex-husband.) And the rest of the bunch, like a 30-year-old history teacher who's running to teach his students about the democratic process and a porn star named Mary Carey whose platform includes taxing breast implants. Oh, and some actual politicians, too. Although it looks like my roommate's great-uncle, Richard Riordan, won't run because the Terminator's going to.

It's just sad, but it's like a trainwreck that you can't stop watching. So much time and energy and money is going to be thrown into this. Damn, am I glad I'm not a Californian.  ¶ 3:56 PM