The anti-NBAF crowd put on a warm-up for Thursday’s National Bringing the Apocalypse Facility hearing today by staging a small protest this afternoon along South Milledge Avenue. Grady Thrasher sent pictures, which I may post later if time allows.

Meanwhile, local officials steeled themselves for the inevitable confrontation. Everyone who supports the lab is prepared to be jeered at, booed and shouted down, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce President Doc Eldridge said.

“We’re going to get our teeth kicked in,” he said.

Eldridge, Mayor Heidi Davison, and several commissioners said they are coming to one or both hearings to reiterate their support. Despite incessant pressure from a handful of hard-core FAQ members – I get copied on a dozen e-mails a day – they are not going to cave.

Nothing in life is free (except pipe dreams)

The state is facing a budget shortfall of up to $2 billion, and will have to lay off employees and possibly delay or repeal tax breaks.

It’s a lesson we’re slow to learn, but low taxes and top-notch services aren’t exactly chocolate and peanut butter. For too long, politicians have gotten away with promising constituents the moon. For once, I’d like to see the elections go something like this:

DEMOCRAT: “You can’t have it all. I’m probably going to have to raise your taxes. Our schools suck, the traffic sucks and health care is unaffordable. I can fix it, but it’s going to cost you big time. Are you willing to pay?”

The housing crisis is an issue that’s right in Rep. Paul Broun’s wheelhouse. He bragged Monday about voting against a federal bailout of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

“The Fannie/Freddie bailout is the most expensive legislative package since President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. Not only does H.R. 3221 give the Executive Branch more power, but it also lifts the ceiling on our national debt by at least $800 billion,” he said.

“Congressional liberals have now allowed the risks of loan defaults to be taken over by the American people by giving the Treasury Secretary a blank check through 2009.

“Congress has got to stop spending money that we do not have.”