Midday open thread

• French critic of Mosanto and genetically modified crops is denied entry into U.S.. Apparently critics of Big Business are now considered terrorists as well.

• Sad milestone in the Iraq War. The War of 1812 had 2,260 KIA. The Iraq War is now a deadlier war than a war in which the White House was burned down. Next up is the Spanish American War, in which 2,446 were killed.

• So really, in what way are we making progress in Iraq?

  Virtually every measure of the performance of Iraq's oil, electricity, water and sewerage sectors has fallen below pre-invasion values even though $16 billion of U.S. taxpayer money has already been disbursed in the Iraq reconstruction program [...]

• Ha ha. If Bush is a man of his word, he must fire Karen Hughes. But he's not, and he won't.

• Even the GOP mouthpiece the Washington Times states that King Bush's illegal spying program is useless.

• How nice. Frist and Hastert added a secret clause to a defense bill to give Big Pharma lawsuit protections without anyone knowing about it. I'm not sure why they hate open, transparent government so much if, as they claim, the American people support their agenda.

• Ciro Rodriguez has been a one-week one-day story. NBC News has a piece, as does the subscription-only beltway publication Roll Call. Thanks to all of us, this is now a national story, which also helps Rodriguez get media time at home as well as raise additional money from more traditional sources inspired by the attention showered on the race. It's not just about the money. But there's always that as well: Contribute and/or Volunteer.

• Don't forget the YearlyKos auction.