This is a continuation of the diary posted earlier by  dmsilev

 If you're watching the game, please post here.  

We're mostly Red Sox fans, so Cleveland supporters are welcome but forewarned.

8th inning, 7th game, 1 run lead by the BoSox.  

Have at it.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins tonight around the world. During this period of religious observance, people fast from food or water until the sun goes down and religious services are held every night.

But in Iraq, this month has another, more ominous connotation.  In each of the past four years, violence has increased and deaths of U.S. military have spiked upward during Ramadan.

The next month may produce another reality check about the results of the Bush escalation of military troop levels in Baghdad. Gen. Petraeus reported this week that the number of "non-hostile" U.S. fatalities has declined over the past two months.  Will that continue during Ramadan?

The number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq passed the 3,400 mark this week. It's common knowledge that the escalation of troops on the ground has increased the fatality rate over the past few months.

The New York Times reports today that there's also been a big increase in the number of attacks and fatalities involving contractors employed by the U.S. military.

A coalition of progressive groups has been organizing a quick response to Bush's plans for escalation.  It's nationwide, it's tomorrow, and it depends on ordinary people like us to get out there and do it.

lawyerDan provided the details in a diary late last night that drew limited notice, so I'll repeat it here.