I lost the first volley of the war in the courts

Today brings us two interesting articles, one on the similarities between red-state evangelicals and blue-state redistributionist liberals from Tech Central Station and one Unused Audio Commentary by Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky for the Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series) extended DVD from McSweeney's -- sample:

"Zinn: Actually it shows the Orcs smithing a lot of pieces of metal. I don't think it's necessarily established that what they're making is swords, is it? They could be farming implements of some sort. They're definitely unusual-looking. But I have to ask you, what about the genetic engineering that goes on with the Uruk-hai?

Chomsky: It's certainly a strange aspect of their culture, but why should we be so condemning? I mean, this is the way they reproduce. If it looks disgusting to us, well maybe we should readjust what we regard as disgusting. I mean, is that any more vile than pulling a baby out of a gaping, bloody hole?"