tsenft has a lovely post on the power and subjectivity of maps . forthright ponders the problems of the electoral college vs. popular vote. wakarusa has been reading deToqueville, on the tyranny of the majority , while koimistress has been pondering some of the same things while reading The Universe and the Teacup: The Mathematics of Truth and Beauty by K.C. Cole. Me, I spent the day reading about the virtuousness of alcohol in ancient Rome and the crucifiction as played out by personified virtues.