A letter to the editor in my local favorite newspaper sent me flying to my word processor and within minutes, stopped me dead in my tracks.  My brain is unable to reason with such gross stupidity.

The letter is about Cindy Sheehan, of course, but the writer also justifies the invasion of Iraq with reference to playing a game of poker.

It is entitled: "Grieving mother's stance makes son's death futile rather than heroic "

I received an email this morning with this subject line.  

The reason I need to share this with you is to remind you that the strategist are hard at work following Karl Rove's directives in their campaigning against and smearing of Democrats and I don't think that by ignoring the message, it'll go away.

Its written like a cute little joke, with no harm intended but the point is to reinforce that terror is good and liberals are idiots who don't realize what war is all about.  

A copy of the email and my reply follow:

This diary is off topic but extremely important, so even if I get banned for life I have do it.

Google has teamed up with Map Quest and now by simply typing a phone number (555 555-5555)into the search bar, you can get directions to anyone's home.

I tried it.  It works. It gave my name and a map showing exactly where my home is.

This is very dangerous situation.

Try it by using your own home phone number.

Abu Ghraib-related Tried to resign twice This is interesting. I don't know where this interview took place, but the issue of Rumsfeld's fears of arrest were not addressed on the Larry King show according to the article at CNN. I support the Centre for Constitutional Rights and I hope that every reader here will also support them.

CBS Evening News Vacaville, Calif... Jan 5, 2005

It was one of those brief segments that compels me stop whatever I'm doing to listen and watch, this time to empathize with the grief and anguish that mothers and wives all over this country have been subjected to since the "end of the major battle for Iraqi freedom".

When the report was over, I continued on with my chores; saddened for these two mothers and astounded that one of the mothers firmly believes that, "If we'd waited any longer, I would be wearing a burka," as Mrs. Unger made that statement, she raised her hands to indicate the portions of her head that would be covered with the burka; the top of her head, across her forehead, and below her eyes.

Now, I have two reasons to grieve for Mrs. Unger.

Whatta way to start the day....

The results of a poll conducted by the AP conveniently released today, indicates that:

A majority of Americans???

It gets worse..

The Center For Constitutional Rights has issued an action alert:
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ccr/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=296

President Bush's nomination of White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales to be the next Attorney General would elevate the architect of the Administration's torture policy to the position of the chief law enforcement officer in the land.  

His confirmation hearing begins on January 5.  Please help us oppose this travesty of justice. tell your representatives: "tough questions are not enough." Send a message to the Bush Administration and the world that the American people do not condone torture.

The Center for Constitutional Rights and four Iraqis who were tortured in U.S. custody have filed a complaint with the German Federal Prosecutor's Office against high ranking United States civilian and military commanders over the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison and elsewhere in Iraq.

We are asking the German prosecutor to launch an investigation: since the U.S. government is unwilling to open an independent investigation into the responsibility of these officials for war crimes, and since the U.S. has refused to join the International Criminal Court, CCR and the Iraqi victims have brought this complaint in Germany as a court of last resort.

Several of the defendants are stationed in Germany.

From his newsletter:

"Fahrenheit 9/11" has been nominated by the People's Choice Awards as the American public's "Favorite Film of the Year." The five nominees were chosen from a poll of thousands of Americans in mid-to-late November. The other nominees for best film are "Spiderman 2," "The Incredibles," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (with Jim Carrey), and "Shrek 2." It is the first time ever a documentary has been nominated for best film by the People's Choice Awards.

The People's Choice Awards are considered, among all the awards shows, to be the one which most accurately reflects the "mainstream" public opinion in the United States.

OK, now, here's the best part: YOU get to vote! Online. Now. Just go to http://www.pcavote.com/voting/film/f01.shtml click on the little circle next to "Fahrenheit 9/11" in the "Favorite Movie" category and press the "vote" button. Voting is going on now and continues only through this coming Monday, December 13, at 3:00pm ET, so send an e-mail to your friends and let them know they can vote, too. Winners will accept their awards live on CBS on January 9.