The New York Times:
G.O.P. Support for Iraq Policy Erodes Further
Support among Republicans for President Bush’s Iraq policy eroded further on Thursday as another senior lawmaker, Senator Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, broke with the White House just as Congressional Democrats prepared to renew their challenge to the war.
“We cannot continue asking our troops […]

Oooh, here’s an interesting local Austin story just put out by Central Command that connects with Iraq:
In order to help Iraqi local governments move to self-sufficiency, the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalary Division is utilizing expertise from the Austin, Texas city manager’s office to examine concepts of governance from the standpoint of a […]

Well, I guess it worked (earlier post on the subject):
Most of Alabama received rain during the first days of Gov. Bob Riley’s “Days of Prayer for Rain” — not enough to end the summer drought, but enough to start turning yards from brown to green.
. . .
“Any amount of rain is helpful and welcome. Alabama […]

From CQPolitics.com:
At the end of the day, only a journalist went to jail in the CIA leak investigation.
President George W. Bush’s commutation of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby’s jail sentence means that only reporter Judy Miller spent time in the slammer — and that was for protecting Libby, the leaker. The former White House aide let […]

Prior to the ‘04 election, I predicted two paths President Bush might take if he won reelection:

No longer having to face another election to office, he would abandon the base that put him in office and finally pursue a “compassionate conservative,” or, as I was hoping, a moderate path; or
He’d get far worse because he […]

The Austin American-Statesman:
Al Gore’s son was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of possessing marijuana and prescription drugs after deputies pulled him over for speeding, authorities said.
Al Gore III, 24, was driving a blue Toyota Prius about 100 mph on the San Diego Freeway when he was pulled over at about 2:15 a.m., Sheriff’s Department spokesman […]

The Los Angeles Times:
The number of U.S.-paid private contractors in Iraq now exceeds that of American combat troops, newly released figures show, raising fresh questions about the privatization of the war effort and the government’s capacity to carry out military and rebuilding campaigns.
More than 180,000 civilians — including Americans, foreigners and Iraqis — are working […]

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws […]

Cute and Sad Kiwi
[Hotel Tango: The Shape of Days]

Here are a couple of interesting video interviews of troops on the ground in Iraq taking part in current operations southwest of Baghdad.
Note how young the captain appears.
Soldiers talk to a military reporter about securing a main supply route for coalition forces and Iraqi nationals, Operation Crazyhorse Thunder, and working with Iraqi local nationals.

SSG Todd […]