It was a lovely evening here in Austin, Texas, when some thirty-odd (and I do mean odd) kossacks wandered away from the air-conditioned comfort of the Hilton Hotel in search of food, fun, laughs, and yes, a lot of Cheer.

That is, what we've got, what we're waiting for, and what we can still use.

After the flip, I’m going to start with the list of things that we’re still waiting to get, followed by items that we’ve already purchased, and the things that have been promised but are still awaiting arrival.

And while I’m talking about purchasing, let me note that we’re still taking donations and currently have about $1,300 left in the bank awaiting our big shopping day on Friday.

Also, check the flipside for a special announcement, and the end of the diary for other ways you can help.

^{Crossposted at Docudharma and ePluribus Media}

As you may know, Netroots For The Troops, a collaborative effort by members of the Daily Kos, IGTNT and Mojo Friday communities,  will be holding a Special Event/Seminar at Netroots Nation on Saturday, July 19th from 2 PM to 4 PM.

We are pleased to announce some special guests with an important and unique perspective on the topic of Troop Care Packages who will be joining us to talk about both the past and the future.

UPDATE: I have been reminded that if you haven't done it already, you need to go and register for Netroots Nation! -- and hit that recommend button to the right, too! ;-)

^{Crossposted at Docudharma and ePluribus Media}

For the last few weeks, the IGTNT and Mojo Friday  communities have been asking you to help them with Netroots For The Troops -- a project planned for  Netroots Nation 2008 in Austin, July 17-20 -- that hopes to send 101 troop care packages to American soldioers curently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, supplying them with everyday sundries -- including work gloves, phone cards, underwear and protein bars -- that the government refuses to provide them, despite spending billions of dollars a week.

What we realized, however, is that while we've been primarily asking for money, there are also a number of other free-yet-equally-important and relevant ways that you can support this effort.

For details, join me on the flip side...

The IGTNT and Mojo Friday crews are eagerly anticipating Netroots Nation 2008 in Austin, July 17-20. With the generous support of the Daily Kos community, our coalition, Netroots for the Troops, will pay tribute to our fallen servicemen and women, and let our troops on the ground know how much we care by sending them packages from home. It is our hope that our care-package event will also raise public awareness of the needs that our active-duty troops have for everyday items that most of us take for granted and will show America one of the many creative and positive ways in which Democrats and liberal bloggers support our troops.

First off, let's get something clear right away:

There will be no bashing of Democratic Presidential candidates. No Hillary Bashing, No Obama Bashing.  The diary should still be as candidate-free as possible.  But go ahead and bash Bush and McCain all you want.

WELCOME TO...

Hope you like the Number...

I believe that Dennis Kucinich's introduction of Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush last night was no mere grandstand or fluke.

It's my contention that it was part of a coordinated effort by Kucinich and Robert Wexler, along with John Conyers, to get Impeachment on the table and start working towards fixing our government. I also believe it was a direct attempt to block the administration's plans for open warfare against Iran.

See the math over the flip...

Sponsored by:

The  IGTNT and Mojo Friday crews are pleased to announce that we will be going to Netroots Nation '08 in Austin, July 17-20.  Our joint venture will pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and help those on the ground today with care packages from home.

The  IGTNT and Mojo Friday crews are pleased to announce that we will be going to Netroots Nation '08 in Austin, July 17-20.  Our joint venture will pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and help those on the ground today with care packages from home.

Join us on the flipside to learn more about the program, and find ways that you can support our efforts both at Netroots Nation and from home!

^{this diary is a repost -- with additional information added -- of a diary posted by roses yesterday.}

The house just voted down any additional funding for the war. According to CBS Radio, the house republicans, in an effort to protest a vote, voted "present" on a $163M Iraq War funding bill. In response, House Dems voted AGAINST the bill, which -- tada! -- failed!

^{(edited to reflect what really happened)}

UPDATED with a hat tip to notquitedelilah's comment which inspired me to create the following little piece o' artwork when she wondered if the repubs were "turning blue."

This is the obly kind of Blue that I can see Boehner as...

We've heard a lot about the Economic Stimulus Package checks that we US Citizens are supposed to be getting from the government.

But it looks like Extra Sensory Perception will be needed to actually get one of these mysterious, invisible payments.

Hat tip to a caller on today's Stephanie Miller show, who just dropped a great quote on us:

Do you really want a poop sandwich?

We had our inaugural Northeast Ohio Kossack Meetup yesterday, and had a really great time.

Join us on the flip for pictures!

(all photos courtesy of ninepatch.)

If you're within 100 miles of Cleveland, Ohio, then this diary is for you.

(and if you're not, feel free to rec. this anyway, so those of us who are within that area can see it!)

Just click the button that's right over there! ---- >

Once you've done that, please come jump with me...

As mentioned last week, if you're within 100 miles of Cleveland, Ohio, then this diary is for you.

(and if you're not, feel free to rec. this anyway, so those of us who are within that area can see it!)

Anotehr good reason to rec this: Wouldn't it be nice to see a non-Primary race diary on the rec list? ;-)

Just click the button that's right over there! ---- >

Once you've done that, please come jump with me...

If you're within 100 miles of Cleveland, Ohio, then this diary is for you.

(and if you're not, feel free to rec. this anyway, so those of us who are within that area can see it!)

Anotehr good reason to rec this: Wouldn't it be nice to see a non-Primary race diary on the rec list? ;-)

Just click the button that's right over there! ---- >

Jump with me...

While we were driving to work this morning, Dania Audax and I were bombarded by the continued trashing of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama on our local rightwingnuttosphere radio station, featuring more commentary about Rev. Wright, William Ayers, and strident claims that "we don't know who he knows."

Dani turned the radio off, turned to me, and said, "this is why I don't want to put an Obama sticker on our car."

Do not recommend this diary. Recommend Live Blog Mothership: Petraeus & Crocker to keep it on the Recommended list.

Part 1: Live Blog Mothership
Part 2: Ellicat
Part 3: TrueBlueMajority
Part 4: You are Here!
Part 5: Ninepatch
Part 6: kimoconnor