Today is primary day in Florida, and I wanted to comment on our voting location. We are located in Florida district 453 and our polling place is at the North American Headquarters of Wycliffe Bible Translators. This massive facility is just up the street from the massive facility that the North American Headquarters for The Campus Crusades for Life occupy. Needless to say, but the district is wingnut conservative.

It has been documented in many diaries, (check out all of dengre's diaries) that Tom Feeney was part of the Abramoff scandal. He was on the same junket to Scotland with Abramoff, Ney and Mark Zachares, and yesterday the scandal's spotlight was shining on Tom Feeney. It has been confirmed that the FBI is actively pursuing information on Feeney's role in the Abramoff affair.

The AP is reporting that a rocket attack was launched near the Prime Minister office during a joint news conference with UN Secrtary Ban Ki-Moon and Nouri Maliki.

Last night I watched NBC Nightly News. Brian Williams is in Iraq "embedded" with US soldiers. The broadcast was a very upbeat report about how the current "surge" operation was being implimented and how things are improving. The half hour broadcast also announced that Bush would be speaking to the American Legion today to tout the "accomplishments" in Iraq. After the broadcast was over, I thought to myself that this would be a "good news cycle" for the Prez. then, overnight, reality hit yet again.

More after the fold    

The AP's Qassim Abdul-Zahra reports that Maj. General William Caldwell stated that U.S. Military intelligence (excuse the oxymoron) that Muqtada al-Sadr has left Iraq and is presently in Iran. Iraqi government officials linked to al-Sadr deny that he has left Iraq. The AP article quotes Iraqi lawmaker Nassir al-Rubaie saying, " The news is not accurate because al-Sadr is still in Iraq.."

It would not be unusual for al-Sadr to visit Iraq, he has family there and ties to other Shia leaders, but the fact that anonymous  U.S. sources have him in Iran indicates that they really do not know where he currently is. The fact that two key members of al-Sadr's political and military organization have been recently gunned down, has caused al-Sadr to sleep in different places each night.

The AP is reporting that this morning's execution of Angel Nieves Diaz in Florida required a "double dose" of lethal chemicals in order to complete the procedure. Department of Corrections spokesperson, Gretl Plessinger said "she doesn't believe Diaz felt any pain." Give me a fucking break!

The AFP is reporting that at least 17 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Saturday, including eight in a single day. Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson stated " We have tragic days and this was a tragic day."

Baghdad as well as the Al-Anbar province is out of control and it appears that the Iraqi army we have been training to stand up so we can stand down, is a dismal failure. Bodies are being found throughout the country and sectarian violence is way of life.

While the Foley story is unfolding, Iraq continues to spiral downward with no end in sight. Families and communities are tragically affected everyday because of this mismanaged war. Iraq must be kept in the forefront of this election. By the way, what exactly does "winning" mean?

CNN reports that Senator Burns stated at a campaign appearance with Laura Bush that,faceless "terrorists drive taxis in the day and kill at night."

This guy, and his cohorts like Senator Allen, are really allienating all people of color. His comment also smacks of an elitist viewpoint on working people, like taxi cab drivers. It also helps sums up the condesending attitude of Republican lead Congress