Well, life does come at you fast.  Circumstances I did not expect, but certainly welcome, are causing me to need to leave DailyKos behind.  I'm going to miss this experience terribly!

But I can't ignore 25,000 people dying tonight from hunger, either.  If 1,000 grains of rice make a meal, and we could feed these people 3 times today, together we would need to donate 7,500,000 grains of rice, per day.  That's not happening,yet.

I'll keep the chatter to a minimum.  I've got some brainless chores to do this afternoon, but I'm feeling blah.  Well, more than blah.  Anyway, I'm trying to pull together some music to get going by.
So I'm asking for your get-up-and-do-stuff music.

The 2008 senate race in AR seems widely regarded as safe "Democrat".  I received another fun email from the DSCC, which provided me with this synopsis of Senator Mark Pryor's 2008 race

Senator Mark Pryor solidified his strong position to win re-election in 2008 this quarter by raising $1 million and showing over $2.8 million cash on hand. Pryor is a respected name in Arkansas politics, and his most viable potential challenger, Governor Mike Huckabee, officially ruled out a run for Senate. Arkansas consistently votes for Democrats at the state and federal level, and there is no reason to expect that to change now.

Mark Pryor
I've been repeatedly disappointed in Pryor's performance, and started looking around to find who might challenge him, since the DSCC doesn't even mention it.  What I've found is a man who hasn't ruled out a run as a primary challenger, and I'd like to introduce him to you.

Though you're probably already way cooler!  I could have called this "How I tried to save the world today", but that seems kind of overblown for just finding treasures in the thrift store.
Consider some consumer choices with me after the jump...

The Arkansas Times has an interesting story up about immigration concerns.  I don't have the answers, but I have a local story which makes me think about the consequences of our choices on how we treat children of illegal immigrants.

An essay entitled "Highlights:  I'm a better mother when I'm stoned caught my attention just now.  I thought I'd invite some comments.  

One of my favorite parts of coming here is seeing all the funny pictures you Kossacks make and post.  I hope you'll post some of your own and make this a "best of" showcase.

As a part of the 50 state strategy, I believe we need to really show some support to those tiny progressive communities drowning in a sea of red.  I got an email today letting me know about an effort to "Take Back Benton County" and I was so excited I have to share it with you.  
Demographic and contact info over the hump....

This is a rambling rant diary about my road-trip, getting older, and differences in perspective.  This may bore you.  But there is a pen*s cake poll at the end.  But you have to read it all to get there.
Do not finish early.

My son recently mentioned seeing a list of 100 places to see before you die.  I immediately thought of Richland Creek Wilderness and planned a day hike.  This is a pristine area, without marked trails.  It is a challenging hike but well worth the effort.
Follow me down the trail for some amazing views...

Late at night when the house is still, I search for news from Iraq.  It's a scary game I play when I should be sleeping.  Can I find something reassuring, so that I can sleep peacefully?  Will I read something so heartbreaking that tears ambush me before I can click away?  Will I frighten myself beyond reason over things I can't control?  What are my odds?
There are many people here on DKos who have loved ones serving there, maybe someone else goes through this routine.  Whether my day has been good or bad, I cannot rest until I've done one more check through the headlines.  I know I shouldn't, but I can't help myself.
Tonight I ran across this:
Troops Look For Bright Side of Longer Iraq Deployments,
and I thought my head would explode.  Faux news has always put a favorable spin on war news, but this is simply insane!