Early voting (post flood) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The Linn County Auditor's Office has moved out to Westdale Mall because of damage from the flood this Spring. The earliest anyone can cast an absentee ballot is this Thursday, September 25.

Today is the first day of Autumn, 2008! Can November 4th be far behind? A season of beautiful distractions even in full partisan howl — the Cubs are going to be in the World Series, college football is in full flourish, Michelle Wie has breezed through the first half of LPGA Q School like the champion she is, cardigans are back, and the good movies come out from now through New Year's — the summer silly season is over.