The link to the NYT story on Knox County's lovely government. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/us/04land.html?ref=us The second paragraph of the story:

You would understand this desire if you had attended last week’s meeting of the Knox County Commission; that is, if you had the seven hours to spare. But since you probably weren’t there, and be thankful for that, here is a quick primer on local, uncivil civics so that you might appreciate the recent political clamor in this part of eastern Tennessee.

The national embarrassment is real..... pgs