Gerrymandering

Slate has posted maps of the twenty most gerrymandered congressional districts in the USA. Sixteen of them return "Democrats" - and they say Americans don't do irony!

The term was invented to describe the redistricting of Massachusetts in 1812 by Governor Gerry to favour his party. One of the new districts (left) was thought to resemble a salamander.

Now look at the ninth of the districts in the Slate presentation. Not the worst, by any means (that must be Illinois 4th, the seventh slide), but good to know Massachusetts is so respectful of tradition.