Senate Republicans nix Iraq resolution

On a 56 to 34 vote in the Senate today, Democrats with the help of a few Republicans fell 4 votes short of being able to advance the same resolution forward that the House passed - stating it's opposition the the Troop Surge in Iraq. The test vote Seven Republicans broke ranks with the Party Leadership to side with Democrats. While the vote on the on the resolution itself did not occur, it is clear that a majority of the Senate wanted this to happen and those in the majority on the test vote would likely have voted for the Resolution opposing the Troop Surge itself.

Both Houses of Congress are now understanding just how much the American public sees this war as a mistake and not worth the costs of American lives and the hundreds of billions in tax dollars we have already spent on it. Even as President Bush is sending to Congress a request for $100 billion more.

U.S. House of Representatives Vote Opposition to Bush's Troop Surge In Iraq

On a vote of 246 to 182 - The House approved H.Con Res 63 - A bill opposing the increase of some 21,000 troops to be sent to Iraq.

The stronger sex

The stronger sex-Arts & Entertainment-Books-Poetry-TimesOnline

Frieda Hughes on Poetry - London Times

Unconscious Mutterings Week 210

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. The best thing :: Peter Pan Peanut Butter
2. Hold :: hold on through the night
3. Rapture :: Taken
4. Cover :: Coveralls
5. Restrictive :: clothing
6. Baker :: Bread
7. Author :: writer
8. Pill :: Pill box
9. Months :: Dozen
10. Valentine’s Day :: Roses

12 Republicans Break Ranks on Iraq Resolution

A Washington Post article today says as many as a dozen House Republicans today broke ranks with the President over the Iraq Troop Surge.

untitled draft 2-14-07

Night was lost
In the fall through nowhere cracks
Separated by a tired,
Protracted strangulation
That squeezed the neck of all want
Till the last blood drops puddled below.

A spatula flipped the side over
The splatter of day
Crackled and sizzled
Opening wide-eyed A yellow yolk.

Writing Routine

This weekend I did little writing. This is pretty unusual for me. I have often gone about my days somewhat in a parallel to the routine that Sylvia Plath employed. Even if I am not writing, I am consciously alert, trying to zone in on something that could become a part of my next piece. This can become pretty intense at times.

If and when I hit a brick wall, I sometimes feel overwhelmed. This past week I reached a point of being overwhelmed while still turning out material with relative ease. This was a new situation for me and I decided to allow myself a bit of a break from the writing mindset this weekend. Instead, I turned out some submissions thinking this was still productive. Besides, I as less into the administrative side of it and have to psych myself up for it. In the end, I think it was a good decision.