I know that what I have to say in this diary will be unpopular with some, not only about Kucinich and the regard he is held in by Markos and some of the front-pagers, as well as some of the "back-pagers" (a take on backbenchers, a term used in the parliamentary system), but on the general effectiveness of a divided progressive blogosphere and how that dampens our ability to be effective and influence the Democratic Party as well as the overall political chess game.

By now, everyone who’s following the drive to turn New England’s Senate delegation as 100% blue as the House delegation will soon be (Chris Shays will be gone by 2009, I’ll tell you), by 2012, knows that Jeanne Shaheen has finally announced that she is running against John Sununu.  They probably have also found out a good deal about Katrina Swett, who also hoped to unseat Sununu not too long ago.  Swett is an unelected (and it now looks, perpetually aspiring) politician who is a big supporter of Joe Lieberman (even if she’s backed away from him recently, because she knows how much it hurts to be associated with him in a Democratic primary).

Now that all factions that were previously boycotting the Iraqi parliament have returned to "business", it is time for us to question exactly who's "business" they are doing -- the Iraqi people's or US interests (read: Dick Cheney).  Of course, no one ought to be surprised that there is virtually no coverage of this controversy among the "mainstream" media.  It is up to us to monitor every alternative media or internet source to find out as much information as possible and keep a watch out for the scheduling of hearings on the bill that, if passed, would "regulate" the production and rights to Iraq's oil reserves.

Virtually all of Iraq's major political parties and blocs want to put the brakes on this bill.  They are all united across sectarian lines... even the Kurds don't like it the way it is now.  I doubt most readers of Daily Kos would be surprised who it is that would love for the bill to be passed in the dead of night without discussion and debate.  Of course...  the multinational oil corporations.

With all the talk about Bloomberg, I simply refuse to let another 'moderate' escape notice under cloud of cover Bloomberg's defection from the GOP is generating in the media.

And one of them happens to be, like Bloomberg, another one of Joe Lieberman's best pals.

Only 45 votes for anti-gay side.

I have complete faith that you'll finish this diary.  Short diaries without substance are a pet peeve of mine, so I'm glad to know there's more coming.  I'll check back later.

Hehehehe...  OK, here goes.

There's very little I could add on the momentousness of today's events, so I'll add a personal story instead.

I was just watching Paula Zahn's bullshit "Out in the Open" show to see what she had to produce on the obligatory segment about Don Imus' suspension which seems to be making the rounds on just about every cable news show today.