Iraq violence- Monitoring the surge

The US has suggested the fight against insurgency in Iraq could last a decade or more. US commanders say casualties are mounting as more soldiers patrol outside their heavily-defended bases. In addition to operations in and around Baghdad, large contingents of US and Iraqi soldiers are heavily engaged trying to drive insurgents from Baquba, in Diyala province, and from the Euphrates valley in Anbar province. This war is just stupid. And what will the presidential candidates do for it? What do you think will happen? How do you think this is going to go? Who would be best for our country in this time of need? Does anyone else see the number of CIVILIAN CASUALTIES?!

Contempt of Congress

The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines on Wednesday to hold President Bush’s chief of staff and the former White House counsel in contempt of Congress. The issue now goes before the full House, where the Democrats who control the chamber suggested it would not be taken up until after the August recess. In the debate before the 22-to-17 vote to pass the contempt resolution, Democrats on the committee firmly rejected the White House argument that the invocation of executive privilege blocked Congress from obtaining information from Harriet Miers, the former White House counsel, or Joshua Boulton, the chief of staff. The Judiciary Committee had issued subpoenas seeking testimony from Ms. Miers and documents from Mr. Bolten as part of an investigation into whether there was any improper political influence in the dismissal of several federal prosecutors. What do you think?

Obama Endorsed by New Hampshire

Obama was endorsed today by the early voting state of New Hampshire and Representative Paul Hodes (a New Hampshire Democrat). Hodes signed up with Senator Obama in Concord, N.H. This is an awsome addition to the Obama campaign. Hodes is one of the top three democrates in the state of New Hampshire. It is said that it might well be the most significant endorsement of the year. What do you think?

Senator Obama Vs. Senator Clinton

Senator Clinton sharply criticized Senator Obama for the first time yesterday as inexperienced on national security, calling him “irresponsible and frankly naive” for saying he would be willing to meet without preconditions with leaders of Iran, North Korea and three other nations during his first year as president. Obama responded swiftly, saying the Clinton campaign was concocting a “fabricated controversy.” He also contended that Clinton’s skeptical view of such meetings was similar to that of President Bush. I want to know what you think on the subject, it is an open debate for anyone who will take it up.

The First Ever YouTube/CNN Debates- the Democrats

On Monday, CNN and YouTube hosted a two hour debate for the democrats. In this debate, the candidates where respond to questions from YouTube users. "The debate averaged 2.6 million viewers", according to Nielsen Media Research, "making it the second-most-watched debate so far this season". The Debate was moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper. I would like to know what people think on this subject and how they reacted to the debate. The first 20 Questions posed are as follows:

1. How are you going to be any different?
2. Will America be better off with Kucinich as president?
3. Are you a "liberal?"
4. Who would you pick as a Republican running mate?
5. Should African Americans be given reparations for slavery?
6. Did race play an issue in the response to Katrina?
7. How do you address being "black enough" or "woman enough"?
8. Do you support gay marriage?
9. Is it OK to cite religion as a reason to deny gay rights?
10. How do we get beyond empty promises for Darfur?
11. Iraq Pullout - "Are we watching the same *blanking* war?"
12. How many more soldiers need to die?
13. Are the troops dying in vain?
14. Should women register for the draft when they turn 18?
15. Would a woman president be taken seriously by an Arab state?
16. Would you meet diplomatically with these countries' leaders?
17. How long after Jan 21, 2009 will all troops be out of Iraq?
18. Who was your favorite teacher?
19. No Child Left Behind - scrap or revise?
20. Do you send your kids to a public or a private school?