Still angry at Hillary calling for Iraqis to "decide to stop killing themselves." I wish some other candidate would call on pols to stop blaming Iraqis for what the United States did.

Obama was good this morning, better than he's been at other union events I've seen.

Edwards was great on Katrina; He should talk about Katrina everywhere he goes.

Richardson "no residual" force message seems to be getting traction.

Hillary continues to shine in every format- She is comfortable with all of the issues- You get the sense that she is enjoying the process- She is truly Presidential- The other candidates were very good at what they do-but Hillary is positioned to win a general election.  She totally "gets it".  Love watching her and unlike with the others -am never nervous that she will slip-up- When the Republicans come gunning- and they will (they are at it already) she is fully prepared.

http://democracycorps.com/reports/analys es/Democracy_Corps_June_19_2007_Memo.pdf

So basically if we can get past this immigration fiasco, continue to press the president and republicans in congress on Iraq and pass some significant piece of legislation (lobbying/corruption reform!!!), we will be well positioned to keep or extend our majorities in '08. Sounds like a plan...

Most days I am pondering important issues facing our nation.

Today is all about who is Digby???

Young Soldier Just Refused Combat in Iraq NEEDS HELP
by laserflight, Wed Jun 20, 2007 at 11:35:09 AM EST

Hey activists how can we help this young guy Eli Israel, who just put himself in a lot of danger for his peace convictions?

SEE HIS LETTER BELOW, from Iraq Veterans Against the War.

I'm asking you for brainstorming & ACTION about how to get this out to the mainstream media to 1 - protect this kid, and 2 - get more peace/impeachment activism inside & outside of Congress.

Incredibly brave kid - see below.  And in a LOT of danger now.

Blessings,

Kim Hughes
Brooklyn

http://groups.google.com/group/WeThePeop leLeadNow

vote to impeach Cheney:  http://www.usalone.com/cheney_impeachmen t.php  

---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
From: Iraq Veterans Against the War <kelly@ivaw.org>
Reply-To: Iraq Veterans Against the War

Subject: Soldier in Iraq Resists the Occupation
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 07:18:58 -0700 (PDT)

>Yesterday, June 19, 26 year old SPC Eli Israel put himself at great personal risk by making the courageous decision to refuse further participation in the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Eli told his commanding officer and sergeants that he will no longer be a combatant in this illegal, unjustified war. Eli believes that the U.S. government used the attacks of September 11, 2001 as a pretense to invade Iraq and that "we are now violating the people of this country (Iraq) in ways that we would never accept on our own soil." Eli is stationed at Camp Victory in Baghdad with JVB Bravo Company, 1-149 Infantry of the Kentucky Army National Guard. This soldier's decision to refuse orders puts him at great risk, especially because he is in Iraq, isolated from legal assistance and other support. The following is a message that Eli sent yesterday to a friend back home:

>"I have told them that I will no longer play a 'combat role' in this conflict or 'protect corporate representatives,' and they have taken this as 'violating a direct order.' I may be in jail or worse in the next 24 hours.

>Please rally whoever you can, call whoever you can, bring as much attention to this as you can. I have no doubt that the military will bury me and hide the whole situation if they can. I'm in big trouble. I'm in the middle of Iraq, surrounded by people who are not on my side. Please help me. Please contact whoever you can, and tell them who I am, so I don't 'disappear.'"

Eli is taking an incredible risk by refusing orders in Iraq and will most likely be court martialed. Please help him by contacting his Senator and requesting that he take any steps necessary to support and protect this soldier and ensure that the Army respects his rights and does not illegally retaliate against him.

>Senator Mitch McConnell:
>http://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact.cfm
>Washington Office
>361-A Russell Senate Office Building
>Washington, DC 20510
>Phone: (202) 224-2541
>Fax: (202) 224-2499