Dozens dead in six coordinated suicide and car bomb attacks in northern Iraq

And now back to our regularly scheduled program. Read the rest of this post...

Just how dangerous is Iraq?

Check out this photo. And they were on their way from the airport to the US Embassy. (Hat tip to TPM.) Read the rest of this post...

Webb wins VA Democratic primary

Results here.

Jim Webb is George Allen's worst nightmare. (And I thought Allen's worst nightmare was Ken Mehlman the nights he has a headache.) Read the rest of this post...

Kind of says it all...

From today's SF Chronicle Web site:

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Now that Bush is a lame duck, it's going to be "September 11" all the time. Got ducktape?

It sucks to be a lame duck.

• Gas prices are through the roof.
• You've botched an entire war.
• Driven the country into bankrupcy.
• Lost an entire American city.
• And when you pulled out the gay-bashing card, it didn't work.

What's the most incompetent president in US history to do? Divide the nation some more by using the code words: "war against terror," "September the 11th," "evil-doers."

The GOP is going back to what worked for them in 2002 and 2004. It's all they've got. (And in all fairness, 2004 was as much about John Kerry's flaws as the Bush message's strengths.)

Karl Rove, the guy who endangered national security by outing a CIA agent, started the attacks on Democrats last night in New Hampshire. Rove, who was able to avoid the draft, was dissing war heroes Kerry and Murtha. He goes right for the jugular. Atrios has the response from the Senate Majority Project. In a nutshell, draft dodgers who endanger national security shouldn't lecture war heroes. They should be in jail. (Okay, that last part is our little addition to the message.)

On cue, President 29%-Approval-Rating devoted a whole paragraph in Baghdad today to "September the 11th" -- still linking Iraq to the terror attacks (warning: this links to the White House home page):

You know, right after September the 11th I knew that some would forget the dangers we face. Some would hope that the world would be what it's not -- a peaceful place in which people wouldn't want to do harm to those of us who love freedom. I vowed that day, after September the 11th, to do everything I could to protect the American people. And I was able to make that claim because I knew there were people such as yourself who were willing to be on the front line in the war on terror.

Iraq had nothing to do with "September the 11th." But in all fairness to the president, Iraq is the front line of the war on terror because Bush made it so. Saddam had no ties to Al Qaeda, zero, until Bush invaded and now Al Qaeda is all over the country using it as their training ground. So Bush created a terror haven in Iraq. Thanks George.

But, the truth never mattered to this White House (WMD anyone?). And, the White House lies and personal smear attacks are only going to get worse because it's campaign season. The Republicans have bankrupted our country, and led us into a war that is now a disaster. They are in serious trouble, and no longer have any original ideas left. So, it's back to the same campaign plan. Tax cuts we can't afford, and wars we can't win.

Are the Democrats ready for it? Read the rest of this post...

Open Thread

As I was saying, never a dull moment. Read the rest of this post...

Mary Cheney's book setting records

I can't imagine too many books that have delivered results quite like this. Impressive.

Last week, a grand total of 574 books were sold. Not too shabby for a first author with not a huge amount to say. But recall that this manuscript cost its publishers a cool $1 million. The publisher therefore spent around $170 for every book sold without even counting the marketing budget.

Read the rest of this post...

How do you fit 26.5 million veterans' records on a laptop?

A friend called and asked a very interesting question regarding the story about the 26.5 million veterans' records being stolen from a VA employee's laptop computer.

How do you fit 26.5 million records on a laptop?

I've dealt with big databases on small computers before, and they're a disaster trying to open, manipulate, etc. Let alone the sheer size of the databases even fitting on a laptop hard drive.

So my question for the geeks out there is this: How big a laptop would you need to contain, and manage, the records of 26.5 million people? And the larger question: Are we getting the full story here?

And a final question: Why the hell would anyone have all those records on one laptop AND take them home? Read the rest of this post...

Iraq stability worsens, Maliki plans to retake Baghdad

Over the past few days, some encouraging signs and some worrying ones for stability in Iraq.

Shia infighting appears to be getting worse, especially in Basra, which I explained last week. Prime Minister Maliki is talking tough about Shia infighting, but he has to maintain enough support in Parliament to avoid a no-confidence vote, which means he can't anger any Shia group too much. Basra is especially hot because it has a ton of oil, and it is controlled by a party, Fadilah, that has relatively little power elsewhere. Basra's continued decline may be a harbinger of similar Shia internecine conflict in other southern provinces. The U.S. has thus far managed to help the Shia hold together. Should that tenuous unity collapse, Coalition forces must be careful not to get in the middle of intra-Shia conflict, lest we get caught in the cross-fire.

There is also a new push to secure Baghdad by mobilizing 75,000 "Coalition and Iraqi" troops in the city. I'd be curious to see the exact breakdown of those 75,000. If there are a large number of Iraqi troops who the U.S. is trusting to work side by side with U.S. forces, that's a good thing. And of course, if you don't control the capital, you don't control the country. To some extent this troop movement is an admission that Baghdad is out of control. Most people know that already, but without recognition of the problem, there can be no remedy, and this at least recognizes that Baghdad must be addressed. Now. Hopefully this show of force and crackdown will help, and not create more anger at Coalition troops and their Iraqi counterparts.

Finally, Joe wrote about the Bush visit earlier today, but it's worth reminding everyone that elected officials only do "surprise" visits when it's too dangerous to release the plans in advance. Why the media seems to get all excited about these visits is beyond me; all it means is that after three years of fighting, the country isn't secure enough for President Bush to arrive without secrecy. That's the important part of the story. And it's not like the problems are going to be solved by a few hours of face to face meetings . . . though I'm sure the photo ops will be lovely. Read the rest of this post...

I want/need your help designing AMERICAblog 2.0

We're going to soon be launching a major revision of the blog, and while we've been scheming on this for a good year, I'd like some input from you guys on two things.

1. Graphic design.

This is my weakest area of expertise. I can shoot a pretty photo, but I'm not good at creating beauty - I find they're different skills (capturing vs. creating). I really could use some advice, suggestions, mock-ups of what you all think AMERICAblog 2.0 could or should look like. I'm talking graphically. The layout of the page, the colors, the background color, should I include any images and if so where, our logo?

2. Substance.

We already have a VERY good idea of what we want AMERICAblog 2.0 to have in terms of the administrative interface, but also in terms of the content and tools we offer YOU. Meaning, enhanced commenting features, more video and audio offerings, enhanced use of RSS feeds, perhaps even diaries (i.e., the ability to create your own sub-blog on AMERICAblog), and more. Even though we have a good idea of what we want, I still wouldn't mind hearing what YOU want. I'd love to see some mock-ups - I know a few of you sent these before, and I'd love to see more.

What kind of added functionality would you like to see on the blog? For example, would you want to be able to customize the blog home page so that you only get the info you want - e.g., posts about gay issues, or posts about Karl Rove? What abilities would you like to have in the comments, in the diaries (if we have them).

Please post your comments in the comments or email me directly. Thanks, JOHN

PS If you send me any suggestions, you immediately and fully relinquish any and all rights you may have to those ideas and you give me permission to use those ideas, without remuneration, in AMERICAblog 2.0. I don't want to get sued for "stealing" anyone's ideas :-) Read the rest of this post...

Find out where your Senator stands on Net Neutrality

And then update the folks at TPM so they can update their list.

You'll find contact info for your Senators here. Read the rest of this post...

Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson may sue Karl Rove in civil court

Today's statement from Valerie Plame's and Ambassador Wilson's lawyer, Christopher Wolf:

Statement of Christopher Wolf, Proskauer Rose LLP, Counsel for Ambassador Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson

We have become aware of the communication between Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Luskin concerning Karl Rove's status in the criminal investigation. We have no first-hand knowledge of the reason for the communication or what further developments in the criminal investigation it may signal. While it appears that Mr. Rove will not be called to answer in criminal court for his participation in the wrongful disclosure of Valerie Wilson's classified employment status at the CIA in retaliation against Joe Wilson for questioning the rationale for war in Iraq, that obviously does not end the matter. The day still may come when Mr. Rove and others are called to account in a court of law for their attacks on the Wilsons.

That's lawyer-speak for "we're considering suing your fat ass, big time." Read the rest of this post...

Another "surprise" visit to Iraq

This time it's Bush in Baghdad according to CNN.

NBC confirms:

The first report came via Iraqi state television, and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad confirmed the visit with NBC News.

Bush’s visit is expected to last five hours, during which he will likely meet with American troops.

AP's account shows how much we trust the new Iraqi Prime Minister. He didn't even know Bush was coming:

Bush met with al-Maliki in heavily fortified green zone at a palace once used by Saddam Hussein. It now serves temporarily as the U.S. Embassy.

"Good to see you," exclaimed al-Maliki, who didn't know Bush was in Baghdad until five minutes before they met.

"Thanks for having me," Bush responded. They smiled broadly and gave each other a two-handed handshake in the high-domed marble room.

Read the rest of this post...

Tuesday Morning Open Thread

Never a dull moment. Read the rest of this post...

Rove will NOT be indicted

CNN and NBC are reporting that Patrick Fitzgerald has informed Karl Rove that he will not be indicted.

Latest from NY Times:

The decision by the prosecutor, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, announced in a letter to Mr. Rove's lawyer, Robert D. Luskin, lifted a pall that had hung over Mr. Rove who testified on five occasions to a federal grand jury about his involvement in the disclosure of an intelligence officer's identity.

In a statement, Mr. Luskin said, "On June 12, 2006, Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald formally advised us that he does not anticipate seeking charges against Karl Rove."

Mr. Fitzgerald's spokesman, Randall Samborn, said he would not comment on Mr. Rove's status.

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Heckuva job, Chertoff

Taking the "security" out of Homeland Security. How much more "protecting" can a country take?

Retired New York City policeman Bruce DeCell, who had arranged to meet with DHS officials last week to lobby for document security, told CNN he purposely used a forged version of identification that Mexican consulates in the United States issue to their nationals living here illegally.

But don't worry, there was a background check prior to arriving.

Days before his meeting with DHS officials, DeCell was asked to furnish his name, Social Security number and birth date, so they could be compared by security personnel to a valid form of picture identification. The building security accepted his matricula card, even though it listed a false date of birth, he said.

He was allowed entry into the building after walking through a metal detector, according to a statement posted on his group's Web site.

Read the rest of this post...

Big Dem primary in VA Tuesday

Vote. Read the rest of this post...

Ken Mehlman reportedly on Jon Stewart Tuesday night

Okay, if Mehlman is going to be on, and Hotline says he is, Stewart should ask him if he's gay - and don't let him pussy-foot around with a cute Harvard-law answer. Make him say "I'm straight." He should also press Mehlman on the issue of the GOP's gay-baiting and what Mehlman thinks of gay people, is it a choice, and what he thinks of Mary Cheney. Also, how does the GOP reconcile having so many high-level gays - at the RNC, the White House, and more, when gay relationships threaten marriage? That doesn't make sense. George Bush has welcomed gay couples to the White House when he also says gay couples threaten heterosexual marriage. Which one is it? Read the rest of this post...