There will be an initiative on the Massachusetts ballot in 2008 that will take the drawing legislative districts out of the smoke filled room -- where they can be drawn in the light of day by an independent commission. Sound good?  It is.

But it will only happen if organizers can collect 100,000 signatures in the next few weeks. They are about half way there. They actually need about 65,000 valid sigs, but old hands say they need 100 to get 65. Will they make it?  I hope so.