And so the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq comes and goes, scarcely noticed by the American public as it worries more about the economy. Gas prices are so high, after all - and inflation is rearing its ugly head. The middle class falls further and further behind, and the rich are getting richer. Who has time to worry about something so far away, something that hardly ever gets more than a passing mention in the news? Aren't things better over there now anyway? Isn't it best to simply trust those "in charge" to have the best interests of both countries at heart?

What is it all about, anyway? Who knows? Alas, it is precisely this confusion in language, in goals and in thinking that show that in the historic progress of this war, we have lost at every turn. Many of us can't even see that it is this very war that is causing so many of the economic woes at home. Follow me below the fold for the explanation.

I believe I have identified myself as a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the past.

The following statement comes from members of the same faith tradition as practiced in Kenya. I have tried to eliminate those parts of the statement that are specific to our (theirs and my) common faith tradition, in hopes that what remains will provide information for those who might want to contact their political representatives with a first-hand, local point of view.

The layers of expert opinion have finally gotten to me. I understand now.

An election is not about what any voter wants to say. No, it is about who frames the total votes in such a way as to make certain the "message" that comes from the election is more about what an analyst says the election was about.

Now that I understand the rules of the game, I think I can play, too. So here is my fact-filled analysis which will clarify why everyone voted the way they did in New Hampshire. Worry no more!

This diary is in response to a different diary asking what is wrong with Democrats who would criticize other Democrats.

I respectfully submit: absolutely nothing.

What a presumptuous, adolescent title!

Yet, I mourn for the fact that our country has been riveted to one horrific tragedy over another, larger and further away. In the face of this fact, I don't know what else to say.  All is important. Nothing is important.

What is there to say but a poem?

Requiescat in pace. Omnes.

In a recent press release, the National Council of Churches detailed information that came from a recent meeting of Western Christians and two Presidents of Iran: former President Khatami and current President Ahmadinejad.

The results of this meeting give some reason for hope. I will explain below.

No doubt about it, the elections of 2006 are over, and the race to the new Congress and its new-found power has begun! The last few days have seen some interesting dialogues here, have they not? True to form, members of this community engage others in the discussion of serious matters: Patriotism, the Presidency, Israel and Palestine, Iraq, health care, poverty, drug policy... and many more! In all these topics earnest comments often appear - alas, also true to form - in less than civil guise. Could any of this be due to the fact that some prominent posters assure us that civility is overrated?

Let's discuss this further. Civilly, if you would be so kind.

`Twas the night before voting,
When all clicked their mouse,   
Every blogger was stirring
To win back the House.

The polls were all done
By the candidates' chairs
In hopes that sweet victory
Soon would be theirs.

Today, Rhode Island news outlets are reporting that an important Democrat has announced that she has placed her full support behind... Republican Lincoln Chafee!

I offer this story tonight on dailyKos not so much because I think this endorsement is extremely significant (I don't), I merely offer it as a cautionary tale for those who assume that Sheldon Whitehouse's victory in Rhode Island is assured once that giant Democratic electorate comes home. Here, it's never that simple.

Let me explain.

This is a diary for the Election Results Live Blogging project. This diary will be used to cover the results of the following elections: RI-SEN, RI-GOV, MA-GOV.

This diary is now online and ready.

NOTE: Deval Patrick has delivered his victory speech, and Kerry Healey has conceded. That's another Democratic governorship. There is a theory that Mitt Romney was hoping for a Democratic victory so that the Commonwealth will be so "messed up" that his Presidential bid will be a given. What say we, Kosters?

100% REPORTING! Sheldon Whitehouse wins!

Local news outlets continue to monitor the very close governor's race.

With 100% of precincts reporting, it would appear Charles Fogarty could not quite win the gubernatorial race, though there may well be a recount that will take a day or two. Bravo to him, however, for coming as close as he did! Don Carcieri is a respected incumbent. Please don't balme Charles Fogarty for this loss. His campaign was very good and serves notice to the Republicans... your margin of victory is very slim... and this isn't Bush country!

If you have questions, please contact FleetAdmiralJ.

As someone who has lived in many parts of the country, I like to keep track of the news in many parts of our United States on a day-to-day basis. This story was so beyond my comprehension that I felt I had to write to this community. I hope you will be able to help me to understand the choice this mother had to make.

Though the national blogging public takes an interest in our current contest for Rhode Island Senate, it is rare that we get an insight into the race that offers lessons in "how the other half lives."  I thought I would bring this story to everyone as an example of a race that approaches the mirror image of what we have been doing in Connecticut. Parallel? Opposite? That is for you to decide.

I begin this diary with no illusions.  I know there is conflict in the world and conflict in our country.  I worry about taking diary space when there are so many important events in the world.  However, it is also true that though we may be powerless in larger conflicts, we have a great deal of say in how we treat others who may not agree with us day to day.  I offer this, then, for those of you who might be interested in respectful dialogue with "opponents, whoever they may be;" for in conflict, true peace lies, if we are willing to be creative enough.

I have written, written, written and e-mailed, e-mailed, e-mailed.  I happen to think Lincoln Chafee is an honorable man who is in a little over his head.  Everything is just becoming a little too serious to allow him to continue enabling the current Administration, and I felt compelled to send him the following tonight.  I offer it as a possible letter to anyone represented by a reasonable or honorable Republican to let them know just how far things have gone.

There was in the countryside a vast estate that had been assembled over much time and with much sacrifice.  The estate had scores of workers industriously employed in its improvement and required the vigilance of fifty overseers.  It was the envy of many estates from far and near.

Feeling that his end was near, the owner of the estate called his two sons to him and advised them to work together and avoid conflict and strife, as the many workers in the fields would rely on them to make wise decisions and guide the care of the estate.  The sons, who had begun their young families and carried their own projects in their hearts, made no promises.

For a long time after his death, his wishes were honored - although not always perfectly.  Some overseers preferred the management of the younger brother, most preferred the elder.  Nevertheless, in due time the estate waxed mighty and the prosperity thereof gained favor and hatred in the neighbors' eyes.

Due to the large number of military issues that confront our country, and due to the often contentious nature of politics, I notice that there is sometimes a lack of dialogue among those who might want to work for peace or those who yearn for peace in their daily lives.

I know there are resources here for spiritual comfort, and I know that many are anti-Iraqi war.  It fills me with gratitude to see the series on "Fighting Dems" who are working to end the war, but I wish for a series on "Peaceful Dems" who are working to begin the peace, and I could use some help in finding them.  Ultimately, this speaks to a deeper issue, that of a complete peace.  An active peace.  The peace that begets understanding.

This story has taken more time to write than I had planned.  This may be due to the intense nature of the story I tell, or to many other events of the last few months that will make stories for other times.  At any rate, I am glad I had some writer's block because it seems one thread of the tale has become more relevant recently.  The other, unfortunately, is timeless in our country.

As events seem to have swung more in the favor of the Democratic party and its members, I have seen an increase in disparaging comments about the "mindless conservatives of Middle America."  This trend is the topic of the first thread.  The other is the state of health care in our country.

This is why I feel compelled to tell a genuinely tragic tale about a heartland conservative who was willing, in his own way, to die for his beliefs: my father.

Today is my wife's birthday. I feel free to share that fact with you because nobody here knows who I am, and by extension, who she is.  This is a good thing, because my wife hates public announcements of her special day.  Thus, we have always celebrated her birthday at home, in the small circle of our immediate family.  NOOOOOObody else knew this deep family secret - or so we thought -

until

today, we returned home to find a message waiting for us, a very strange message from a candidate for US Senate!