Open Thread and Diary Rescue

This evening's Rescue Rangers are vcmvo2, ybruti, a synthetic cubist, sunspark says, HansScholl, dadanation and jlms qkw with Avila as editor.

• captbobalou suggests that religious fundamentalism may not be the most difficult issue to overcome in Afghanistan in The Problem with Poppies (Part II). (sunspark says)
• winterbanyan describes how Obama's visit has stirred memories of kindness and courage of the American pilots during the Berlin airlift in Obama, the "Raisin Bombers" and my German friend. (HansScholl)
• Louise finds echoes of FDR in Obama's Berlin speech in Obama and FDR's 'Four Freedoms'. (sunspark says)
• fake consultant takes a look at the Bush administration's failure to support our troops upon their return from war in On Extraordinary Awards, Or, Wounded Troops, Wounded Again. (sunspark says)
• mspicata pulls back to look at the larger political picture, the right wing's limited arsenal, and John McCain's tomato supply. (a synthetic cubist)
• boofdah, who recently added two little boys to her family, explains why Being a foster parent has made me more, not less, liberal. (ybruti)
• CinDan reminds us that our failure to have universal health care carries a higher price tag than who pays the co-pay in Rejected. (vcmvo2)
• Tuffy illustrates problems with our health care system in I am so damned tired of almost losing family. (ybruti)
• AdmiralNaismith continues his state by state review of Democratic prospects in the upcoming elections in Focus On...WISCONSIN!!! (HansScholl)
• Bcgntn shares her reflections on her father's birthday and Obama's speech in The Audacity to Hope is a Dream From My Father. (jlms qkw)
• CIndyCasella has a somewhat more sympathetic than usual take on the Katie Couric/John McCain interview in Dear Katie. (sunspark says)
• lyubansky examines the socioeconomic differences between the races in the well-researched but cumbersomely titled How Obama can appeal to Black and White voters and why doing so is more difficult than it may seem. (sunspark says)
• While bklynarch outlines why wetlands are vital to slowing climate change in Wetland Destruction - Another AGW Puzzle Piece, Crashing Vor explains how they can act like "Horizontal Levees". (a synthetic cubist)
• FishOutofWater reports on the status of a plan to protect endangered Hawaiian marine life in Endangered Species & Unique Habitats Must be Protected. (vcmvo2)

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Enjoy and please promote your own favorite diaries from the last 24 hours in the open thread.