The Department of Defense announced two casualties: one in  Afghanistan and one in Iraq.  So far, Operation Enduring Freedom, has claimed 568 American lives.  According to the Iraq Casualty Count, there have been 4134 killed in Iraq.

The Department of Defense announced four casualties in  Afghanistan.  So far, the war in Afghanistan, also called Operation Enduring Freedom, has claimed 532 American lives.  According to the Iraq Casualty Count, there have been 4110 killed in Iraq.

Tonight, there are two more casualties announced by the DoD.  One was 19 years old and had spent his lifetime in the foster care system.  The other was a father and a twenty two  year Veteran who looked forward to retiring and living in Tennessee.  

According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count the number of names released by the DoD is now 4100 and there is 1 more name of the deceased awaiting notification of the next of kin before being publicly released.  In Afghanistan, there are 521 U.S. deaths  from Operation Enduring Freedom.  

Thanks to Timroff for our logo.

Meow.  Meow.  Meow.  

Things are heating up in Tennessee after Fred Hobb's stupid comment on whether Fox News gave him incorrect information regarding Obama being a terrorist.  Argghhh. Fred Hobbs sits on the TNDP State Executive Committee; yet, relies on Faux News for his information about the Democratic candidates.  He has since apologized and it is posted below the flip.  

The foray  continues with Vichy Dem Lincoln Davis (TN-04) and DLC Chair Harold Ford, Jr. each adding comments to the media.  Beecher Frasier, Lincoln Davis's chief of staff, weighed in with some ugly statements too.  

Today, the Department of Defense announced two more fatalities: one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.  According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count there are 4076 confirmed deaths and 1 pending confirmation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  There have been 501 U.S. deaths in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  

Both men are classified as non-combat related casualties, a term used too frequently of late.  These men  were serving in war and just their presence deserves in Iraq and Afghanistan needs to be acknowledged and thanked for their sacrifice.  This is all that needs to be said.  

Tonight, we honor 1st Lt. Matthew Vandergrift, who died in Basra, Iraq on April 21st.  

From the Department of Defense:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1st Lt. Matthew R. Vandergrift, 28 of Littleton, Colo., died April 21 from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Basrah, Iraq.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Winter break is almost here.  The magical time when the progress my son made this year will regress in two weeks time.  Simple things which come easy for other kids took years for him to learn.  Kids with special needs have strict schedules and order, unfortunately, the holidays are time of chaos and sensory overload this translates into regression, tantrums, and still we will have joy.  
from Shafer Autism Report

#10: There Goes Routine
(sung to the tune of "Here Comes Santa Claus")
There goes routine,
There goes comfort,
There goes therapy.
Here comes boredom,
Here comes whining,
There goes sanity!
School break's here
And I should cheer
The time to spend with my kids.
But though I bless
Togetherness
I feel like I'm losing my wits.
But here comes New Year's.
Here comes three cheers,
Here comes tears of joy.
Get the backpacks,
Meet the buses,
Goodbye, girls and boys!
Though it means
More homework scenes
And teacher battles and such.
Ending Christmas break
Can make me
Love that school so much!
 

Today, the Department of Defense announced the name of one Soldier killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count the number of names released by the DoD is now 3888 and there is 1 more name of the deceased awaiting notification of the next of kin before being publicly released.

DoD Identifies Army Fatality

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Johnathan A. Lahmann, 21, of Richmond, Ind., died Dec. 10 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered in Bayji, Iraq, when a improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. He was assigned to the 59th Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Excerpt from Blowin' in the Wind by Bob Dylan

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Today the Department of Defense announced 3 more casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  According to the Iraq Casualty Count,  there are 3857 casualties and 1 more name of the deceased awaiting notification of the next of kin before being publicly released.  To date, there have been 459 Americans killed in Afghanistan.  

Today, the Department of Defense announced the name of one Soldier killed in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  
To date, there have been 451 Americans killed in Afghanistan.

The soldier announced by the DoD was a remarkable young man who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Queens Village, NY.  He over acheived in every area from being a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in mechanical engineering to being a captain in the Special Forces Group.  He served this nation well and his  loss will not go unnoticed.  Please read below the flip about Major Jeffrey Calero.

The latest Vanity Fair includes excerpts from a book about to be released this month called For the Love of Politics - Bill and Hillary Clinton by Sally Bedell Smith.  I read it Friday night as something to put me to sleep, oh dear, this book is anything but that.  I know nothing about the author, but am glad the timing is before the  primaries are over and not after them.

Here is the story from November 2007's Vanity Fair: The White House Civil War.  Here is a synopsis:

Promised real power as Bill Clinton's vice president, Al Gore found he had a rival for that role: the First Lady. And when Hillary decided to run for the Senate, a tense competition got ugly. In an excerpt from her new book about the Clinton White House years, the author reveals how conflicting agendas—the triangle of a scandal-ridden lame-duck president, the wife he'd betrayed, and his designated successor—sapped Gore's 2000 campaign as the bond between two couples dissolved into distrust, anger, and resentment.

Today, the Department of Defense announced the names of two Marines, and One Soldier  killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count the number of names released by the DoD is now 3774 and there are 6 more names of the deceased awaiting notification of the next of kin before being publicly released.

Bill O'Reilly called us a hate site.  He needs to check out the Free Republic commenters who criticize a 19 year old soldier suffering with psychiatric problems and ultimately took his life on Sept. 1, 2007.  I know that if these comments were at the Daily Kos, they would be quickly troll rated.  It is beyond vile to post such writings when a family is in mourning over their beloved son.  

Yesterday, joyful, wrote a beautiful tribute on  IGTNT about Spc. Travis Virgadamo.   In an email later, she told of how the fallen soldier was being attacked by the Free Republic bloggers.    Some of the comments are posted below the flip, click on to read more.

Today, I received an email from Congressman Steve Cohen, who is from TN-09 (he has Harold Ford's old seat). and also sits on the House Judiciary Committee.  The full letter is below the flip.  

It basically states he would like James Comey nominated for Attorney General.  James Comey testified about Alberto Gonzales paying a visit to John Ashcroft's hospital room to certify the illegal wiretapping and surveillance on Americans.  His shocking testimony before the committee caused both Democrats and Republicans to call for Gonzales to step down.   More on Comey is here.  Below is the letter from Congressman Steve Cohen.

Today, the Department of Defense announced the names of one Marine, and two Soldiers  killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count the number of names released by the DoD is now 3729 and there are 3 more names of the deceased awaiting notification of the next of kin before being publicly released.

Now cracks a noble heart.  Good night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
Why does the drum come hither?

• Hamlet 5.2.360

Today, there will be several I Got the News Diaries published throughout the day.  On August 22, 2007 a Blackhawk helicopter crashed in northern Iraq killing all 14 aboard.  We will have three diaries dedicated to the crash victims today.  Please read, reflect and remember all 14 of the fallen in this tragedy.  

A special thank you to the IGTNT team in helping with the research for all of the diaries tonight.  

September draws nigh.

Who Will Stop the Rain?
by CCR

Long as I remember The rain been coming down.
Clouds of myst'ry pouring Confusion on the ground.
Good men through the ages, Trying to find the sun;
And I wonder, Still I wonder, Who'll stop the rain.

I went down Virginia, Seeking shelter from the storm.
Caught up in the fable, I watched the tower grow.
Five year plans and new deals, Wrapped in golden chains.
And I wonder, Still I wonder Who'll stop the rain.

Heard the singers playing, How we cheered for more.
The crowd had rushed together, Trying to keep warm.
Still the rain kept pouring, Falling on my ears.
And I wonder, Still I wonder Who'll stop the rain.

For the children of the fallen:
My Father's Eyes
by Eric Clapton

Sailing down behind the sun,
Waiting for my prince to come.
Praying for the healing rain
To restore my soul again.

Just a toerag on the run.
How did I get here?
What have I done?
When will all my hopes arise?
How will I know him?
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Then the light begins to shine
And I hear those ancient lullabies.
And as I watch this seedling grow,
Feel my heart start to overflow.

Where do I find the words to say?
How do I teach him?
What do we play?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That's when I need them,
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Please follow and read about three brave men killed in Afghanistan.