A year and a half ago, as bombs began falling on Baghdad, I sent y’all a rant straight out of Lord of the Rings. The gist was that we are all Frodo, putting one foot in front of the other to bring down the Dark Lord, even when he seems unstoppable. And I made two predictions:

   “He may win his war in Iraq. But, bless his heart, we can count on Dubya to screw up the aftermath.

   “His name is Bush, and so far, he's right on track with his daddy for the next election.”

   Tomorrow is Frodo’s revenge. The black tower is tottering, and we stand at the Cracks of Doom. In each of our hands we hold the ring of power, with the chance to put it permanently out of reach for Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and their orcish ilk. The ring of power looks remarkably like a voting machine.

   As I’ve been touring these past three weeks, I’ve never seen progressives so energized or so organized. Hell, if Springsteen and Eminem are both singing for John Kerry, there’s some kind of movement going on. Many of you on this list have been doing the patriotic nitty-gritty of knocking on doors, making phone calls and talking to your friends and neighbors. Your country is grateful. I can’t wait to get to the polls early tomorrow and cast my vote.

   See you there.

   Oh, yeah, I also have a show this coming Friday:

   FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 8 to 10 p.m.

   KENNY'S COFFEE COMPANY 

   117 Louis Henna Blvd., Round Rock  

   238-9117

   Just East of I-35, on the south side of Louis Henna, in a strip center near St. David's Hospital.