On Hussein...Our Elections...And Valour-IT

In this AP report, according to his lawyer, Sadaam Hussein says do not take revenge.

"His message to the Iraqi people was 'pardon and do not take revenge on the invading nations and their people'," al-Dulaimi said, quoting Saddam.

Meanwhile, in this report,

An open letter from Saddam also tells Iraqis the country's "liberation is at hand." He tells them their goal should be driving U-S forces out of Iraq.

So, which is it? Revenge…or not revenge…

And, no big surprise to anyone, the Sunnis and Shiites are split over Hussein’s sentence. The Sunnis have been upset at the loss of governmental superiority since Hussein’s ouster. The Shiites, of course, have been pretty happy at their rise in authority. My take on it? The sectarian violence is mostly along the lines of the split. The Shiites are acting out of their repressed anger towards the Sunnis. And, the Sunnis want the old balance of power, despite being a minority group compared to Shiite population. It’s ugly, even if it is historically normal.
(…just look at what Republicans and Democrats do when there is chance for power to change…)

…And, Iraq news leads us to election thoughts…

Here was an interesting article. What would Democrats do if they were in charge of approving funds for Iraq? I can personally agree that more oversight of funding might be a good thing. I just don’t want to see it become a political football game—where the military continues to suffer.

And, what’s the deal with US voter apathy/non-involvement?

The United States lags [behind] about 130 countries in voter participation. Discount ones that enforce compulsory voting laws — fewer than a dozen — and America's standing hardly improves.

In 2004, a polarized year we barely reached the voting level of Somalia. Can it really be just the negative campaigning? Or is it we are so fed up with the long drawn out process?
(…my mother once said for her elections are not about voting for someone, but against the other guy…)

Finally, the news you’ve all been waiting for…The Nightly Valour-IT Update!

Well…those jarheads are still running out front…and the squids are still floating along in the back…

So, here are the close of day numbers for 11/05 11:59 Central (Day Seven):

Team Air Force: $21,285.00
Team Army: $22,277.00
Team Marines: $24,059.10
Team Navy: $17,281.00
TOTAL: $84,902.10 (out of $180,000)

WAY TO GO TEAMS!

To all visitors: see my original post for more info...or visit the Valour-IT homepage. Please give all you can. At the very least, forward this to everyone you know.

Help us complete the mission!

(...in related soldier stuff...check out this video...it'll help you know what a simple gift can do for a soldier...)