Open Thread and Diary Rescue

(Tonight's selections are brought to you courtesy of the Rescue Rangers. SusanG)

This evening's Rescue Rangers are vcmvo2, Painty Kat, hhex65, BentLiberal, smokeymonkey, grog, and joyful, with twilight falling gleefully pushing the buttons on the Magical Editor's Chair.

Sept. 10, 1963 was a great day in American history, as enforcement of federal desegregation laws permitted 20 African American children to attend public high schools in Birmingham, Mobile, and Tuskegee, Alabama for the first time. Let's remember the long, hard work that went into this achievement--and all the setbacks that were overcome--as we fight new threats to civil liberties and equal rights for all.

Our Rights, and Violations Thereof

• In The Last Abortion Clinic in Mississippi, dkos diarist Avenging Angel analyzes how relentless efforts by anti-choice forces in that state have restricted women's reproductive rights. (vcmvo2)
• Land of Enchantment was personally Under Surveillance in the 1970s. Don't miss the fascinating story. (smokeymonkey)
• Leewah highlights some important civil rights that can be restored if America elects the right Presidential candidate in Five hundred days remaining. (PaintyKat)

The War Room

• Why can We Have Mitchell From NYC On The Line remember President 25%'s stated goals for the escalation and the traditional media cannot? He reminds us in The Media Isn't Reporting That the Surge Isn't Working By Bush's Own Scorecard. (grog)
• ml documents how AT&T is ripping off soldiers in Iraq trying to call home in Support the troops? How about free phone calls from Baghdad? (grog)
• LithiumCola disproves the erroneous conclusion that The Surge is responsible for 'gains' in Anbar province: The Myth About the Anbar Awakening. (hhex65)
• robertdfeinman slices and dices the latest New York Times poll on attitudes regarding Iraq and finds, Gasp!, bias in Why I Hate Polls - Iraq Edition. (grog)

Life, the Universe, and Everything

• PapaChach shares the fear of his wife's brain tumor and the painful loss of a dear friend in Scatter The Darkness. A beautifully written reminder to count your blessings. (PaintyKat)
• Two diaries in celebration of humanity: Ed Tracey quietly honors The 9/11 Hero...that already was one, and goldkeyrealty offers a lovely little tribute to veterans in Untold Stories. (joyful)
• ky bluestocking paints a grim, all too real, and everyday portrait of a trip to the unemployment office in lines, pajamas and waiting: the unemployment office. (grog)

sardonyx has Top Comments: Testimony Edition.

Add your favorites from the past 24 hours and use as an open thread.