As some of you know, I usually take the wonderful opportunity of hosting Top Comments to write about animal issues. And yesterday and today, I was considering doing a diary about the remarkable service performed for both animals and children by
Intermountain Therapy Animals. But the election is simply too close -- and the situation in this country, in Iraq and around the world too perilous - for me to do anything except use this great space to urge everyone to do anything and everything they can to support Democrats running for Congress.
From CNN.com this evening:
Attacks on a crowded market in Mahmoudiya, Iraq, today, killed at least 11 people, the U.S. military said. Attacks elsewhere killed more civilians and three U.S. Marines. The violence came on the day President Bush discussed the war with his top commanders.
Discussed!
[more]
From
60 Minutes (October 1, 2006):
Mike Wallace: And Woodward says that no matter what's occurred in Iraq, Mr. Bush does not welcome any pessimistic assessments from his aides, because he is sure that his war has Iraq and America on the right path.
Bob Woodward: Late last year, he had key Republicans up to the White House to talk about the war, and said 'I Will Not Withdraw Even If Laura And Barney Are The Only Ones Supporting Me.' Barney is his dog."
From the brilliant political cartoonist
Mike Luckovich (October 6, 2006):
Go Barney!
Even Madison the German shepherd has been busily working to take our country back. In August, she faithfully guarded a 5,000-piece Webb mailer stacked ceiling high in the back of our station wagon while I inquired at the post office as to where they wanted it brought. My Mom, a former lifelong Republican, has a Webb sign in her yard and two Webb stickers on her car. I have folded and stamped and rubber-banded and sorted thousands of pages of Webb literature and have assisted in compiling an important database for the campaign. Tomorrow, I plan to spend the whole afternoon at Webb HQ doing anything they want or need me to do. But because I am unable to spend as many hours working for Jim Webb or other candidates as I wish I could, I have joined millions of other Americans in doing everything I can do to help out financially.
I am very fortunate. But I will admit to having felt the financial pinch of my contributions since last May. It has particularly troubled me that I have been unable to donate as much as I wish I could to my favorite animal charities and to JoinLeeNow, which is dedicated to finding a cure for juvenile diabetes. Nevertheless, with only 16 days to go, I'm searching the sofa cushions for more. Since May, I've contributed to the following candidates, and I am tonight urging everyone to volunteer or contribute to them or to any other great courageous Democrats who will stand up for us and our country come next January. Here's my list. [The size of the photos has nothing to do with how I feel about these terrific candidates, and everything to do with my lack of technical skill.] Please add yours in the comments!
I live in Virginia. Most of my time, effort and money have gone to Jim Webb. I am proud to support Jim Webb for the Senate!
United States Senate - Virginia Jim Webb: Contribute and Volunteer
I have also contributed to these campaigns. I would be so proud and pleased to have these fine Americans representing me in the Senate and the House:
United States Senate - Tennessee Harold Ford: Contribute and Volunteer
United States Senate - Montana Jon Tester: Contribute and Volunteer
United States Senate - Missouri Claire McCaskill: Contribute and Volunteer
United States Senate - Ohio Sherrod Brown: Contribute and Volunteer
United States Senate - Pennsylvania Bob Casey: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives - IL 6th Tammy Duckworth: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives - PA 7th Joe Sestak: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives - PA 8th Patrick Murphy: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives - CO 5th Jay Fawcett: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives - NY29th Eric Massa: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives - IL 14th John Laesch: Contribute and Volunteer
Here's a photo of Jay Fawcett, Eric Massa and John Laesch together:
United States House of Representatives - CA 4th Charlie Brown: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives - TX 21st John Courage: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives NH 2nd Paul Hodes: Contribute and Volunteer
United States House of Representatives IL 10th
Dan Seals: Contribute and Volunteer
Thank you to all of these courageous men and women for all they do to make this country great again. Tonight's questions: Who are you supporting? What have you done to bring our country back?
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And on to the Top Comments of the Day:
From FireCrow:
paxpdx on the most important way you can help the homeless in your area.
From Dreaming of Better Days:
A comment from our own sweet nonnie, which needs no further explanation.
Babsnc on the importance of using our Internet connectivity to speak out to the future history of our own time. [This comment was also recommended by Carnacki].
From Plutonium Page:
ktakki with a bizarre and hilarious fable in this diary.
From SarahLee:
jpk on alligator-swallowing-pythons and how they relate to Iraq and calls for impeachment.
From Carnacki:
Asinus Asinum Fricat on the difference honest reporting could have made
GOPhuckYourself on upcoming resignations from the military
.
lauraheuchan on my favorite candidate, Mike Callaghan
.
From nonnie9999:
The Baculum King writes the bumpersticker I wish I had, and CJB provides a nice follow-up.
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Madison's Picks (she who guards the mail gets to choose):
One Pissed Off Liberal on false patriotism in FireCrow's heartbreaking and must-read diary on Breaking the Sacred Trust we owe to our veterans.
llbear on what our priorities must be in bonddad's awesome Get Back to Work Diary
Hoya90 on yet another great reason to Vote for Jim Webb in lowkell's terrific Top 10 Reasons for Vote for Jim Webb diary
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Tonight's TopMojo courtesy of her majesty, gloriana
Without easily identifiable tip jars
1 guess what by ArmyGirl - 146
2 This is called math by MarcTGFG - 68
3 re by cookiesandmilk - 66
4 I also got one of those by Jeffersonian Democrat - 64
5 I went through the DAV by ArmyGirl - 61
6 "Please make no mistake. This is not a threat." by Warren Terra - 58
7 I don't think so... by Gottlieb - 51
8 My FP -- My daughter can't vote! by CSI Bentonville - 51
9 two points: by john de herrera - 46
10 My FP: Medicaid is cutting me off by BigStick - 45
11 tipjar? by lukery - 44
12 so they tell me by ArmyGirl - 41
13 You sign up to serve your country by blujae - 40
14 Yikes! Your snow and ice is deadly by Kayakbiker - 40
15 ArmyGirl, Thank you. I hope you're doing okay by begone - 40
16 But but but by Kingsmeg - 39
17 We're getting the purple by Gottlieb - 39
18 I agree... by Gottlieb - 39
19 That's what I get by RenaRF - 39
20 My FP--the bank lost $3000 that I deposited by blue jersey mom - 38
21 So much to do before the chemo starts by Coldblue Steele - 38
22 Thank you very much for this n/t by Gottlieb - 35
23 Good Morning, Gardeners :) by PhillyGal - 35
24 Well, the Republicans have been saying... by wonkydonkey - 34
25 GOTV by Lahdee - 33
26 Happy almost Halloween by blue jersey mom - 33
27 Lorenzo Sunflower hits Long Island's North Fork by Sprinkles - 33
28 WOW by Chaoslillith - 33
29 can't stop crying by sunny742 - 33
30 Yep. I sure am. by Gottlieb - 32
With everything!
1 Tip jar n/t by BarbinMD - 205
2 Tip the "eagle eyes" who spotted the law breaking by ttagaris - 172
3 guess what by ArmyGirl - 146
4 Tip Jar by PsiFighter37 - 100
5 Thanks to any and all by Dreaming of Better Days - 94
6 Get on out there!! by RenaRF - 88
7 Tip Jar by Elizabeth D - 81
8 Alms for the poor by FireCrow - 71
9 This is called math by MarcTGFG - 68
10 re by cookiesandmilk - 66
11 I also got one of those by Jeffersonian Democrat - 64
12 Tip of the iceberg - 1st qtr 2006 >> by joan reports - 62
13 I went through the DAV by ArmyGirl - 61
14 "Please make no mistake. This is not a threat." by Warren Terra - 58
15 I don't think so... by Gottlieb - 51
16 My FP -- My daughter can't vote! by CSI Bentonville - 51
17 Unbelievable by CalDoc - 49
18 two points: by john de herrera - 46
19 If you don't live in Virginia, you can still help by lowkell - 45
20 Abso-freeking-lutely! by mombadanes - 45
21 My FP: Medicaid is cutting me off by BigStick - 45
22 tipjar? by lukery - 44
23 shiny pennies gratefully accepted by cookiebear - 42
24 Tip, you Bastards! by McGirk - 42
25 so they tell me by ArmyGirl - 41
26 MFP? I can't find Pootie..., again! ;) by PhillyGal - 41
27 Yikes! Your snow and ice is deadly by Kayakbiker - 40
28 Still snowing a bit by Frankenoid - 40
29 You sign up to serve your country by blujae - 40
30 ArmyGirl, Thank you. I hope you're doing okay by begone - 40
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And remember, please send your Top Comments to topcomments at sign gmail dot com. Don't forget to send your screen name so we can give you a thank you credit!