Gen. David Petraeus, the four-star general who has been leading troops in Iraq, has been tapped to become the next commander of U.S. Central Command.

Secretary of State Robert Gates made the announcement at a news conference in Washington D.C. on Wednesday morning

Well, Well, Well. Any one still thinks were not going to invade Iraq?

Commentary
Robinswing, Black Kos Editor

It’s been a tough week for a blackwoman.  If my sons had not already done so years ago, the media and its relentless harping on Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama would have tap-danced on my very last nerve.

Then I look up today and see this.

Talk about open season on black males, this is the week that was.  I love my brothers and this has been a pretty big dose of black as boogie man manic trying to be depressive.  It’s been a week of you can do anything you want to my brothers.  I’m not having it.  Not any of it.

New declassified report is out that details that while violence may be down among US soldiers, it has virtually remained unchanged for the Iraqi people.

Data on violence point to stalemate in Iraq

By James Glanz and Eric Schmitt
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

BAGHDAD: Newly declassified statistics on the frequency of insurgent attacks in Iraq suggest that after major security gains last fall in the wake of an American troop increase, the conflict has drifted into at least a temporary stalemate, with levels of violence remaining constant from November 2007 through early 2008...

The violence has dropped down to pre-surge levels, but that still 600 to 1000 Iraqis dying a month, on average. That wasn't a good statistic in 2006, and we should not allow it to be used a bar now.

Another sex scandal.

It really does matter that it is a democrat, I'm just so sick of our politicians abusing their powers. It seems like one every month or so. It's almost to the point where I want one of those satellites, with a laser on it, to cut a circle around the White House and the Capital, and let them float into the ocean. The politicians will have a whole island to themselves. But that may be last resort.

Let's try something a little closer to earth...

Just today...

HuffPo

BAGHDAD — Two bombs went off within minutes of each other in a crowded shopping district in the capital Thursday, killing at least 53 people and wounding 130 _ a reminder that deadly attacks are a daily threat even though violence is down.

The surge is working......but who's surge?????

Dengre has a wonderful rec'd diary about just how far Abramoff shadow is casting. I'm reposting a diary I wrote in 2006 just as a complimentary piece to dengre's piece. It was about the conflict that was going between Lebanon and Israel. But there was something else going on behind the vail at the same time. Cheney was interferring with the Israeli political process, trying to get Netanyahu reelected. And using Abramoff to funneling money to questionable american charities, that pumped money into West Bank settlement.

Presumably, these charities could not operate the way they do without some tacit approval from Congress via lobbying by Abramoff and his special interest donors. And that's where I think my diary meets up with dengre's. The coffers of certain members of Congress were opened to Abramoff. And as always follow the money...

Over the flip is the repost (I was still in the learning process, in 2006, of when to post a diary if you want alot of eyes to see it; so I stupidly posted the original at ~ 10PM. I think it only recieved 4 comments)

While I have in some way, shape, or form supported the Congressional Black Congress (CBC) over the years, however, they have of late made me doubt their relevancy. The CBC sells itself as a watchdog over Congress, looking for civil rights violations, or though legistlation that adversely affects people of color. But with the win of Donna Edwards over Al Wynn, the CBC is crying foul, even insinuating the SEIU involved themselves in intra-Black issue.

Intra-black issues........WTF?

First, this is not a candidate diary. I'm just calling shit on his Morning Starbuckness, Joe Scarborough.

This morning on Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough and Mika got into it about a non-issue.....well Joe thought it was an issue, Mika...not so much. I agree with Mika. What was at dispute -- The following words hilighted:

"What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change...."

Rawstory is reporting that Republican have staged a walk out because the Democrats put theContempt Of Congress charges on floor, instead of FISA.

I know we get excited and then let down. But you still have to pray that one day the Democrats will stop caring about what the Republicans say, and grow a spine. Be willing to take a little bad press for the right reasons. Harriet Miers, and John Bolton, should be in jail until they testify before Congress. The president has not asserted executive privilege, he just says they won't testify.

What the f*** is going on here. A day or so ago, White House officials admitted to waterboarding during a congressional hearing. They essentially admitted to committing a crime. Then they channeled Nixon in order to justify the actions. It is some of the most twisted logic I have ever seen.

Well, last night the Democrats had another debate. One that got particularly nasty, but it smoothed out later. As usual the media tried to make every question about race and gender. And for the most part both Hillary, and Obama handled it well.

But one question that has always been looming in the background, was on Iraq. One of the moderators, did his best to word the narrative that:

The Surge is Working

IT IS NOT......

Full Disclosure: I'm voting for Edwards

Yesterday, I posted No, I'm Not Waiting For White Approval in which I expressed my dismay at how the media and others were attacking african american thought capital by insinuating that blacks were waiting to see what white voters were thinking before voting. I also made reference to Bill Clinton referring to Obama as kid, although I specifically said "boy" in my post.

More over the flip....

In this election, much has been analyzed, over-analyzed, and some has just been plain wrong, in the bubble analysis. But one thing I have seen that is, imo, dangerous is this notion that African Americans are waiting for Whites to approve of all things political before we may speak to it. It is a vestige of slavery, Jim Crow, and the like.

This has got to stop. We talking about possibly electing the first african american president. Yet we are still suggesting that some how black people are waiting for white approval.

No, I'm not waiting for white approval.....

Ok I had it up to here with this Experience vs. Youth charge that keeps getting leveled at Obama, as well as us in the progressive community. I not even a Obama supporter (I've finally made my decision to go with Edwards; I love his message on poverty). Now, civil rights.....elder (I'm trying to be nice) Andrew Young is coming out against Obama saying "...Barack Obama is too young and lacks the support network to ascend to the White House...".

This is some beltway BS.

PERIOD!!!!

This was just reported by MSNBC. That Fran Townsend, Bush's Homeland security adviser, has resigned. They are dropping like flies.
I'll update with a link when one becomes present. But here is a wiki on her.

Bush's release statement (in part) "...we are safer to today thanks to Fran Townsend...."

uhhhh OK......if you say so

Update [2007-11-19 8:41:12 by sephius1]:

Here's the MSNBC link.

Boy do I love Admiral Fallon. From what I have seen so far he's one miltary officer that understands war does not solve all foreign policy issues (requires registration; It's FREE). This is the same Fallon that called Patreaus a "kiss ass".

But....., But....., But...., MoveOn.org is the meanie liberal organization that called General Patreaus "General 'Betray Us'". And my answer to that is who's word should mean more.....

An Ad
or....
An Admiral

This will be short and sweet, an funny. I was hoping someone caught it besides me.

How do you describe Kerik as a HERO? Some one at GE must've hit the ultra spin cycle button on the Republican washing machine overriding MSNBC. Sorry Repubs. Some thing can't be washed away.....

"GE, we bring fake shit to life"

With the announcement that Obama will be sponsoring a "gospel" tour to attract people of faith. Their has been a couple of disscusions going on about Obama's catering to the religious, and specifically to those who have voice their disagreement with homosexuality. While these types of discussions are very relevant, I think a history context can help fill in some gaps and help those who may not know the internals of how, and why, homosexuality is viewed the way it is in the african american community.

Black sexuality, and specifically black male sexuality (whether gay or straight), is always an uncomfortable subject, but understanding it can help us discuss this in a robust fashion.