Let's just stop for a moment and parrot what mccain, palin and the repubs say - "the surge is working" (actually it should be called the escalation).

Now why don't the Democrats and Obama/Biden try responding with something like this...

"Ok, let's say that the surge or escalation is working.

Is the surge working because al-sadr decided he wanted to be an ayotollah, told his army to stand down and took off to Iran for training and schooling?

Is the surge working because we are paying off militant groups to stand down?

Cyril Ramaphosa and Martin McGuinness were amongst the attendees at a conference on national reconciliation in Baghdad that brought together politicians from across Iraq's sectarian and ethnic divide.

The Baghdad conference brought together Shi'ite and Sunni Arabs as well as Kurds....

UPDATE: There's an excellent diary on this story at No Quarter.

I understand why these warriors respect her, they find in her a kindred spririt, a toughness, a tenacity and a willingness to fight against the odds for what is right. Barack likes to claim that he is, “skinny, but he’s tough,” but Hillary has fought alongside these Generals and Admirals on issues they deeply care about. She has earned their respect.

What are the top three reasons someone might doubt Senator Obama's judgment? I know what mine are. What are yours?

Hillary Clinton Talks Military Strength In Fayetteville

Thursday she campaigned in Fayetteville, the home of the Army's Fort Bragg, and in Asheville. Friday she will will be in Jacksonville, near the Camp LeJeune marine corps base.

“We need a commander-in-chief who is ready on day one to keep our country safe,” said Clinton, who spoke under a banner that read: “SOLUTIONS FOR A STRONG MILITARY.”

Blazing Saddle Diplomacy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080327/cm_huffpost/093643

Excerpt

Mar 27 2008

Food as a Weapon - The Rape of Iraq by truong son traveler Wed Apr 09, 2008

In 1948 George Kennan, who at the time was a senior US State Department planning official, wrote:

The following article was linked by Jeralyn at Talk Left. Mr. Gonzalez reveals important information not being exposed by the media regarding Senator Obama's past actions in the Senate on many issues.

I only hope it's not too late for people to open their eyes and realize we've got a real champion in Senator Clinton, ready and willing to lead our country out of the huge mess that will be left once GWB and his wrecking crew are gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Via Jeralyn:

Here is a passionate submission to the local publication, The Tahoma Organizer, by my friend Michelle. She, and the Organizer, have been invaluable in this community for being a voice for all of us who care what's happening in our world. Please take a moment to read:

This is Michelle's story and her words.

If you are human, this will touch you.

As originally posted at The Tahoma Organizer

An Open Letter to Sgt. Smith
by michelle — 2007-12-12 14:44

I’m sorry that I couldn’t look you in the eye when I saw you in the McDonalds line today.