Venting here won't do any any good.

Since you're in the US, write to http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/CP_AirlineService.htm with the facts only, specifically how you requested to be put on flight XYZ and was refused by BA. They will act, and if they do it fast enough I guarantee that BA will change your booking to the more reasonable connection.

And yes, BA's behavior is completely and utterly unreasonable. I'm a fan of BA but I rarely have to interface with their call centers (TA takes care of all), which have to agree have been a disaster during a past cancellation).