We should have known the apocalypse was near when 20,000 people showed up to see the Monkees' Micky Dolenz at a political "tea party."

Or when Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin parked her political roller coaster. Or when Johnson County had microquakes.

Now, we learn that some are predicting an apocalypse today.

Around midday, we'll hit 12:34:56 p.m. on 7/8/09.

In chain e-mails and on the Web, some writers seem to think that this time sequence might begin the end of the world.

Of course, they said that back on Jan. 1, 2000, and all we wound up with was a New Year's Day headache.

Also, what if the world ended at 12:34:56 a.m.?

"The world will be coming to an end at 12:34:56 7/8/9," reads a comment on Twitter. "Happens only once over the course of history."

Not quite, genius.

It happened in 1909. Watch for it again in 2109.

(Never believe anything you read in e-mail or on the Web.)

One comment asked whether this was connected to Michael Jackson's memorial.

Which brings up another question:

If the world ends at 12:34:56 – is that Pacific Time?

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