Just more evidence today on how Bush's Forever War in Iraq is breaking the US military.

After combat, citizen soldiers turning to alcohol

National Guard and Reserve combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to develop drinking problems than active-duty soldiers, a new military study suggests. The authors speculate that inadequate preparation for the stress of combat and reduced access to support services at home may be to blame.

A lot of us are righteously and rightfully pissed off at Senator Obama and most of the rest of the Democratic "leadership" over the FISA bill. There's also an awful lot of hand wringing and concern trolling and even people saying they won't vote for him just because of this. But even if he isn't as progressive as we've been pretending he is, he will be an infinitely better President than any Republican.

Any progressives who find themselves agreeing with my title should consider this: it's based on today's excretion by syndicated dipshit Victor Davis Hanson.

I've read here that Hillary Clinton is prepared to drop out if the May 20 results are bad enough; I've read here that she's started to make nice this week.

But she still wants our money. Yesterday I got mail from the Clinton campaign. The big-print banner across the front of the envelope is "We're going all the way". No sign of quit in that message.

I was going to put this in an open thread last night but forgot. I'd probably have let it drop, but --

today's mail brought TWO MORE IDENTICAL envelopes!

Political discussions with strangers are of course dangerous, but sometimes fun and sometimes surprising.  I just met a man who could be the loudest and proudest black republican in San Francisco (there can't be many!) and I'm truly amazed by some of his opinions. Onward into the strangeness.

from AP via sfgate:

some Democrats fear the contest between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton might have a nightmarish end

This has become a common discussion here, and the point isn't that different from any number of diaries and MSM articles I've seen. But this is built out of a different spin than most.

or, The Politics of Parades, or, a Parable for Primary Season

Here on the shores of San Francisco Bay, we have a HUGE East Asian population. Is this news to anyone? San Francisco's Chinatown is a long-established community; Vietnamese refugees congregated in San Jose; new immigrants from all over Asia have flocked to Silicon Valley jobs.

So - the Lunar New Year starts today! This is an event big enough that even us anglos can't ignore it. Both major newspapers have special sections SF SJ; both major cities have parades. And both parades have interesting political issues. As a marching band musician for over 30 years, parades are dear to my heart. Over the break -- in step! Left, right.....

John McCain's lame fundraising has been reported on already; it seems clear that the former frontrunner may be the first top-tier candidate to quit the presidential race.

And his audience knows it. The San Jose Mercury Newsreports:

Sen. John McCain, whose campaign for president is imploding amid funding shortfalls and even more staff resignations, was asked a question Monday in true Silicon Valley fashion:

"Pretend we're your VCs that have given you some money," the moderator asked McCain at a Churchill Club forum at the Santa Clara Marriott. "We're asking, `What happened to Plan A' and," came the kicker, "what's Plan B?"

I was looking at the San Jose Mercury News website. Not sure why, because I already read this morning's dead tree and they don't update very often during the day.

And I found a link I hadn't expected to.
Bill, life will change in Hillaryland (free registration required).

I had read this godawful thing in print, and I'm surprised no one else here has diaried about this column yet, it's a slimy hit piece about the Clintons.

But the really surprising thing is the byline:

By Joe Blow
San Jose Mercury News

Yesterday I diaried American mercenary coup attempt in Laos? More details are coming out, and this is getting bigger and even more interesting.

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that several Americans have been arrested for plotting a coup against the government of Laos, had purchased weapons and ammunition and were trying to get Stinger missiles.

Nine California residents, including a retired California National Guard lieutenant colonel and a former Laotian general, were arrested this morning and accused of conspiring to overthrow the government of Laos, court records obtained by The Chronicle show.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives filed a criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Sacramento alleging that the men violated the federal Neutrality Act by raising money to buy military equipment including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, machine guns and other high-powered weaponry that was to be used against "both military and civilian officials of Laos."

Thanks to the wonders of junk mail, just today I found out about American Compass "The Conservative Alternative". I want to tell you, wherever this compass is pointing, RUN the other direction. I feel stupider already - come lower your IQ along with me...

This is a busy weekend in San Francisco: it's the annual Fleet Week. I don't know how many ships and sailors are here, but Sunday the Blue Angels air show will be thundering over us. This being ultraliberal San Francisco, the military aspect bothers some people, but a huge number enjoy the show.

Personally I wish I wasn't always trying to play music during the air show.

We think we have problems with voting machines (and we're right). American military personnel in the field are allowed to cast their votes too - but they sure won't know if they are counted correctly.

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting

During the next six weeks, thousands of service members are expected to fax or e-mail ballots over international communications networks that are susceptible to interception and tampering, putting those votes at risk.

One expert says:

the system of fax and e-mail was ``far worse'' from a security perspective than the Pentagon's last attempt to solve this issue: an online voting system the Pentagon canceled in 2004 because it could not prevent electronic ballots from being altered or erased.

This is the Bush/Rumsfeld military. You have a process that's unacceptable, so replace it with something worse.

(also posted at BooTrib)

Even before American independence had been declared, let alone won, John Adams was telling us how to celebrate it! Talk about vision!

It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

First I'd like to thank the people who are defending my right to celebrate the way our Founding Fathers intended. The men and women of the military, serving wherever Bush saw fit to send them; and the patriotic Americans protesting the war in places like Fort Lewis and Washington DC.

Follow me to the parade...