Living in the Belly of the Beast -- And Surviving Well

Not to worry. We're fine.

The magnitude and impact of the fires though is too close. I feel for friends who are not as lucky.

Living in the Belly of the Beast: Southern California's Firestorms Threaten Thousands

Southern California firestorms snarl through neighborhood after neighborhood, thousands fleeing in their paths. With giant flames licking the sky, they return again and again, but this time with even greater vengeance.

To get a real feel for what's going on, visit Sign On San Diego's fire blog and read a few of the brief, but poignant, entries.

Asking Your Opinion

Okay Friends, inspired by you to improve my writing skills, I'm taking a Feature Writing course. Below is this week's assignment, due later this week. Please do chime in with comments with ideas for improvement or just tell me what you do or don't like about it. If you prefer to contact me via email, you can do so at ZoKai(dot)blogspot(dot)com(at)gmail(dot)com. Many thanks.

Penguin Love, SeaWorld Celebrates Successful 25th Anniversary of Exhibit

Like 80's rockers in monochromatic suits with a slash of yellow lipstick on their beaks, SeaWorld's penguins are living life large. They are the stars of the Penguin Encounter's upcoming 25th Anniversary.

Movies like Happy Feet, March of the Penguins, and Surf's Up have recently focused attention on the plight of penguins around the world, but SeaWorld San Diego's bird and education departments have been working hard to protect the interests of penguins for 25 years.

Keeping penguins in San Diego requires a bit of environmental magic, transforming sunshine and warm weather into darkness and sub-freezing temperatures. In the Emperor Penguin exhibit, the temperature hovers consistently at -25 degrees Fahrenheit. The environment simulates Antarctic winter, and visitors will find it dark inside during the middle of July.

"Molting and breeding are keyed off lighting," says Lauren DuBois, Assistant Curator of Birds. She explains the right environment is key to their highly successful breeding program.

San Diego's breeding program boasts some of the best results in the world, achieving live chick births that have happened nowhere else. Thanks to the program, some species near extinction have found new hope. Humboldt Penguins and Emperors have been among the park's success stories.

In 1980, a tiny emperor penguin made international zoological history. The chick was the first to be hatched and raised by its parents inside the Penguin Encounter at SeaWorld San Diego, then the world's only successful emperor penguin breeding facility outside of Antarctica. And in 1982, the first hand-raised emperor penguin hatched. Since then, more than 20 emperor penguins have been hatched and raised at SeaWorld San Diego.
from SeaWorld.org

Emperors are far from the only penguins in the park. There are many species, from Adélies to Magellanic Penguins, residing in the Penguin Encounter, each requiring its own specialized environment.

"We actually have a very big life support system," says DuBois. "It recently took about five months to do a rehab of our penguin encounter." DuBois's friendly smile and energy convey her genuine excitement for penguins. Even the five month rehab of the penguin's environment seems exciting.

From the sub-zero temperatures of Antarctica to the hothouse-like conditions of Africa, the climates required by the penguins are as diverse as their personalities and the vocalizations they use to connect with one another.

"Emperors are very standoff-ish," says DuBois. "Adelies are not unlike in the movie Happy Feet. Gentus are like big dumb football players. Macaronis are just curious."

Individual penguins have individual personalities too. While penguins don't operate in a hierarchy like pods of dolphins or killer whales, they are social animals. Communication with one another is key, again not entirely unlike in the movie Happy Feet.

Emperors make a trumpeting sound, and Magellanics make a sound like a braying donkey. Every species has a different call. During breeding season, a time when penguins are especially vocal, life inside their environs becomes a penguin rock opera.

Keepers inside exhibits sometimes have to wait for a break between love ballads to talk to one another. They don't mind. They're happy to see the penguins rock on.

Friday Fun -- Penguin Love

I got to pet a penguin. How cool is that?

They walk right up to researchers in Antarctica. They have no land predators there, so the curious little buggers waddle right up. Who knew?

They are birds, but their bones are not hollow like other birds'. Floaty air-filled bones tend to slow a bird down under water. The stuff on their bodies looks like fur, but really it's feathers. Slicked down, smooth, slightly sticky feathers form a waterproof seal, insulating them from frigid waters. And look at that form, talk about aerodynamic. This body is built for speed, in the water.

Maybe I'll share more later, but for now I'll just leave you with this image of "Number 142." I think we should call her Cha-Cha.

(Click on the image to view full-size.)

An Afternoon with John Dean

When John Dean steps to the podium for "An Afternoon with John Dean" hosted by the Escondido Democratic Club, he doesn't look like a California Democrat. His blazing orange tie and glowing complexion say Beverly Hills investment banker, not left coast liberal. Dean says he is an Independent, not Democrat or Republican. His books make clear, regardless of party affiliation, he is not among the Republican faithful.

Dean's most recent book Broken Government, How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches criticizes changes made to government's basic structure, changes that take power out of the hands of the people, instituting a reformed government controlled by the elite.

At the outset of his book, Dean gives readers this quote from Alexander Hamilton's Federalist No. 1:

It has frequently been remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.

Americans' seeming acquiescence to the Republican power grab troubles Dean. He was incredulous at Democrats' failure to specifically address it during the 2004 presidential election. He even spoke with presidential campaign staff, asking why they didn't talk about it. The response was that people aren't interested in process issues.

"Process, while it may not be a very sexy word or thought, it is the name of the game in Washington," Dean tells the Escondido group. "If Democrats don't start raising process issues, we are in trouble."

The change Republicans have made is sweeping. "Cheney has swallowed the presidency, and he is accountable to nobody," he says.

In Chapter Two of Broken Government, "Second Branch, Broken and in Need of Repair," Dean elaborates on his concerns about Cheney, writing:

Dick Cheney's infatuation with Nixonian government has involved activities far more insidious than merely promoting unsound, inaccurate, and specious constitutional war powers arguments. He has also reinvigorated the efforts of conservative Republicans that began in the Reagan years to ignore, nullify, or simply violate the efforts by post-Watergate Congresses to check and balance the executive branch, and then to expand presidential powers far beyond those of even the imperial presidency.

Dean's concerns don't end with Republican efforts to make the presidency the predominant instrument of federal government. He emphasizes the erosion of our system of checks and balances through continued efforts to appoint fundamentalist judges.

"They have taken the non-political branch and made it political," Dean says. "The most activist courts we have had have been conservative courts."

In Chapter Three, "Third Branch: Toward the Breaking Point," he writes:

Republicans are not satisfied with a conservative [italics included] federal judiciary; they want a fundamentalist one, and they are frighteningly close to achieving that goal. The question raised in this chapter, as in the earlier chapters, is what should or should not be done, what will and will not work, and does anyone really care that Republicans are insisting on operating each of the three branches outside the precepts of the Constitution?

Dean doesn't abandon readers at an apocalyptic proposition of continued Republican rule. Instead, in Chapter Four, "Repairing Government: Restoring the Proper Processes," he proposes a solution. While it is not an instant fix, the solution is fairly simple, and fairly well summarized by the chapter's introductory quote:

"Democracy is like sex -- it works best when you participate." -- Anonymous (sign in store on East Nineteenth Street, Manhattan)

Dean's faith in people continues to be tested, but he hasn't lost hope. At the end of his presentation, when an audience member asks what can be done, Dean responds, "If you give people the information, then they can understand and can respond correctly."

*John Dean's book, Broken Government, How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches, is available in book and CD format at Barnes and Noble online.

**For a peek at the motivation behind current efforts to reallocate California's electoral college votes for the 2008 presidential campaign, see Dean's references to Tom DeLay's Texas redistricting scheme and its impact on the balance of political power in the state. pp. 34 & 48

***To learn more about the Escondido Democratic Club click here.

Give a Hoot. Don't Pollute.

Woodsy Owl must have missed a few kids on Saturday mornings.

Preview -- Political Post Discussing the Latest from John Dean

Swiftly educated in the cut-throat center of the Watergate controversy, John Dean took away lifelong lessons that have paved his path to becoming an influential author and activist. Tune in later this week for the rest of this special post.

*Postponed from Monday morning post to later this week due to mommy overtime with sick baby.

OU Texas Weekend

from Sunday:

Go Sooners! We won.



from Friday:

With any luck, this should sum up my weekend perfectly:



Click here to learn more about the Red River Shootout.

Knee Bone Connected to the Nose Bone

As we relaxed on the floor together before nap time yesterday, the youngest of my 17-month-old twins pointed to her knee and said, "Knee." Encouraged by my response, she pointed to her sister's knee and said, "Knee." Realizing she was on a roll, she pointed to her mouth and said "Mouth." Excited by her sense of accomplishment, she then proudly stuck her finger up her nose and said, "Nose."

*A repeat performance post.

Negotiating Salary, Start to Finish

*A repeat performance post from another of my blogs, Firm Advice.

Ever wonder if you're making what you're worth? Well, if you're wondering, you probably aren't making what your worth. One of the most important things I learned as a recruiter was that salaries vary greatly for practically identical positions based not only on skill but also on knowledge of the market and ability to negotiate.

Knowledge is power. It can make a huge difference. I once interviewed two gentlemen employed in nearly identical positions at equivalent organizations. Much to my surprise, one was making approximately $50,000 a year less!

He must have been less qualified, you might think. Perhaps his educational background wasn't as impressive or his work experience was less extensive. Sadly, no. The only significant difference between these two candidates I was interviewing for the same position was that one knew his worth and knew how to negotiate and the other did not.

The man making less wasn't aware he was being underpaid and didn't know how to ask for what he was worth. In order to ask for what you are worth, you must first know your worth.

The advent of the Internet has made salary information much more accessible. Where companies formerly shielded salaries as a closely guarded secret, smart companies today are more open in salary negotiations, faced with better informed prospective employees. Negotiating is another part of the interview process. Someone who is well-informed and negotiates to a win-win solution adds value to her worth before even beginning the new position.

Researching the salary range for your position is much like familiarizing yourself with an area by looking at a map. You can begin by using salary sites like Salary.com, SalaryExpert.com and PayScale.com. These will give you a bird's eye view, but not the detailed information you will need to skillfully negotiate your way to your destination. Using these sites alone for your salary research would be like trying to find your way around Los Angeles using a map of the United States of America. For a better view, using more than one source and more than one type of source, will help ensure your research is balanced and accurate.

Very detailed information, including salaries for certain titles at named companies in certain cities, is available from Vault.com, a leader in the area of targeted salary research. Although you have to pay to see these reports, the information is worth the small fee, if you are considering working for a large firm or corporation. If you are considering a position with a small firm in a small town, the information is not as relevant. To balance your view, turn to industry organizations and sites such as NALP.org, Law.com, and FindLaw's Infirmation.com.

Once you have done your initial research online, reality check what you have found by talking with a professional counterpart you trust in your geographic market. If you don't yet know anyone you feel you can ask, you can use a message board such as the one found on GreedyAssociates.com.

While salary information is more readily available for large firms, you can get a reliable look at compensation at medium to small firms in your area by relying more heavily on the last part of the process described above. Regardless of the size of your market, staying connected with colleagues is great way to not only enjoy the camaraderie of people with similar interests, but also continue to learn about your market. Having a friend with whom you can discuss important professional decisions can put you far ahead in evaluating whether a position offers the right opportunity for you.

When considering the information you find, keep in mind the many factors that impact salary, including but not limited to: 1) your salary in your current and previous positions; 2) geographic location; 3) cost of living; 4) size of firm; 5) areas of law in which the firm practices; 6) locations of the firm's other offices, if any; 7) prestige/name recognition of the firm; 8) hiring history; and 9) salary in relation to billable and non-billable hour requirements.

Be sure to continue your research until you reach a firm conclusion on the minimum and maximum compensation amounts you consider fair. Consider this your "comfort zone." Once you have identified your comfort zone, stick to it.

If you receive an offer significantly outside of your comfort zone, in either direction, be very cautious about going to work with the extending firm. While reaching a compensation agreement most often includes some amount of negotiation, an offer either unreasonably low or high can be an early indicator of serious problems right from the beginning.

Negotiation can be challenging, but if you keep a few basics in mind, the process can be a much more enjoyable and informative experience. With that in mind, the following tips can serve as a guide as you travel the sometimes treacherous, yet often rewarding, path of salary negotiation:

BEGIN WITH A WINNING STRATEGY

Collaborative Approach
When negotiating salary, a collaborative approach is most often the appropriate tack to take. While you may be tempted to adopt a more adversarial approach, it is important to remember that this negotiation is the beginning of what will hopefully be a long and productive union.

A collaborative approach is characterized by working together toward a win-win solution, one in which both parties walk away feeling they have gotten a fair deal. It's not just the end agreement that results in both sides feeling they have won, it's also the tactics you use to get there.

Be wary of overblown advice. "Don't tell them your current salary. It's not about your past. It's about how much the work in this position is worth." Statements like this are just plain wrong. It's not only wrong. It's so far off base it can turn an interview that was going well into one that totally destroys your chances of getting hired.

It is standard for an employer or recruiter to ask what you are making in your current position and you should be prepared to discuss it openly when they ask. Failing to answer directly only makes you appear evasive.

If you feel you are currently being underpaid, explain why and back your belief with facts. Be prepared to discuss whether or not you have asked for a raise, why or why not, and any response you received to such a request.

Open Exchange

One of the keys to win-win negotiating is the open exchange of information. This may include discussing your salary research in detail, especially if you find there seems to be a major discrepancy between your expectations and theirs.

For example, if you find that relocation expenses are not included and are not negotiable, don't just assume they are cheap. Discuss with them the fact that your research indicates that other similar companies (preferably their competitors) cover relocation for employees at this level. If they want more information, be specific, include the name of the company, title of the equivalent position and type and amount of relocation expenses covered. It may simply be they were not aware, or there may be another explanation.

Be open to listening to their explanation. They may make up for not covering relocation by offering bigger signing bonuses, for example. It's fairly common for smaller companies to not invest the personnel and expense necessary to calculate moving expenses, negotiate with moving companies and deal with real estate or corporate housing rentals. In such a situation, you can calculate your estimated expenses and negotiate the appropriate signing bonus to ensure your expenses are covered.

Your Comfort Zone

Establish a comfort zone for yourself. Know the bottom number you are willing to accept and the top number. These numbers should be based on the market value for the position you are being offered, your past pay and performance and the future for advancement in the position offered. Any offer you accept should be within your comfort zone.

If you are presented with an initial offer far below your comfort zone, think seriously about whether or not to invest your time negotiating with this company. An inappropriately low offer can indicate some serious problems that may be difficult to correct.

For example, the company may be out of touch with the market. If this is the case, it is likely that it would not only be difficult to negotiate a fair salary initially, but also difficult to negotiate raises in the future.

An inappropriately low offer can also indicate you are overqualified for the position, a situation which, if you accepted, could result not only in you being underpaid, but also low job satisfaction and an overall slowing of your career progression.

Unfortunately, an inappropriately low offer can also mean that an inexperienced hiring manager is simply trying to get the best deal he can, no holds barred. While this may seem excusable at first glance, it should make you think twice about his management style.

If you are presented with an initial offer far above your comfort zone, be cautious about accepting. While it may seem like a dream come true, it may be an important red flag.

Step back and consider other motivating factors.

If the company extending the offer trying to hinder a competing company by hiring you away? They may be paying more for the opportunity to hurt their competitor than for your skills, a fact that won't be helpful when it's time for a raise.

Are they engaged in a bidding war for your services? This most often comes into play with counter offers from an employer you are leaving. You should almost never accept an offer that comes in response to your decision to leave. If salary is the main motivator for leaving, you should have addressed it and ask for a raise before deciding to leave. If they were unwilling to give you the raise before you had a competing offer, what has changed? Did your skills suddenly improve overnight? Unlikely. The difference is that now they are forced to either give you the raise or have you walk out the door while they have no replacement. The sad fact is that even if you accept their offer, they can simply keep you on board until they hire someone to replace you (for less money) and then fire you.

Know when to walk away

In order to have leverage in salary negotiations, you must be willing to walk away. If you can't reach an agreement that is within your comfort zone despite your proposed solutions and theirs, you should walk away from the negotiating table and feel good about it. Know that it was not a personal slight against you or them, simply a business negotiation in which you could not reach an agreement. In the end your interests just did not match closely enough.


EVALUATING THE OFFER


Evaluating the Total Package

Compensation is more than just salary. The more your career advances the more complicated compensation negotiation becomes, as it includes more and more negotiable parts, such as profit sharing, stock options, and executive perks. At some point, it may be wise for you to enlist the help of a professional in negotiating compensation. If you are not yet at that point, you should act as your own compensation analyst.

Even jobs that appear to have relatively few components in the pay package can have a suboptimal component that results in pay not adding up as well as you initially thought. Health insurance is a prime example. A difference in health insurance can easily make a $5,000 to $10,000 difference in your effective compensation. When evaluating insurance, remember it is not only the premium you pay, but also the deductible and expenses covered that should be considered.

To be sure you are considering the big picture, you can use a spreadsheet like the one shown here on CareerJournal.com, the Wall Street Journal's Executive Career Site. You can use this or a similar spreadsheet as a dynamic tool to compare your current position, an offered position and your comfort zone.

(For more information on finding your comfort zone, see last week's article Researching Salary: How and Where to Look.)


TALKING THE TALK


Brokering the Deal

Take your time in evaluating any offer extended, remember you are brokering a deal that will impact every step in your career from here forward, so asking for a couple of days to evaluate at least the initial offer is standard.

Once you have used your spreadsheet to compare your current position, the offered position and your comfort zone, you should have some idea of adjustments you would like to make to the offer. Make some notes to use during your conversation and schedule a time to talk with the person extending the offer. Be sure to have your notes and spreadsheet available each time you talk. If the person calls you unexpectedly and you do not have your notes available, let him or her know you are not able to talk at the moment and ask if you can call them back.

Asking for More

When you do talk with them remember that good negotiation is good conversation. Statements and inquiries should be constructed to invite a favorable response and keep both parties involved. Begin your conversations by repeating your interest in the opportunity, and make use of questions and open-ended statements to keep discussions going.

For example, let's say they offer $140,000 base and you won't be happy with less than $150,000. (This assumes your research backs you up and you haven't already told them that you would accept something in the $140,000 range during the interview process.)

Instead of responding with, "I can't take 140." and ending the conversation there, try, "Considering the market, I was really hoping for 155." Then wait for a response. The most likely response is, "Let me see what I can do, and I'll get back to you."

Another possible response is "That's the best we can do on salary, but we may be able to make some adjustments elsewhere." Still you keep the conversation going and have opened the door to compromise.

A flat "That's the best we can do." is unlikely but possible. If you've responded as suggested above, you haven't turned down the $140,000 on the table and you can move on to negotiating other pieces of the deal such as annual bonus, deferred compensation, and signing bonus where you have the opportunity to make up for the $10,000 additional you had hoped to see in base salary.

Solving for the Solution

Be open to solutions. As well as presenting your own alternatives, be open to hearing theirs. If the negotiation is going well, proposed solutions should be flowing back and forth.

Remember that a potential employer hopes you will join the team as an asset. Show your worth up front by suggesting solutions. For example, offer to forgo the signing bonus for more base pay (Although you may not be able to get a one for one trade for this because base salary is a recurring expense, where a signing bonus is a one-time expense.)

View the situation form the hiring manager's shoes. If the manager has a budget for her division, your compensation likely comes out of that budget. Although there may not be money there for relocation, there may be money available for travel, allowing you to negotiate use of a hotel or corporate housing for a few months. Suggest some alternatives, repeat your interest in the position and continue to work together.

SEALING THE DEAL

Before finalizing the deal and giving notice at your old job, get the deal in writing and make sure the agreement is clear. Make sure all the details are included and unambiguous. Be especially cognizant of items such as bonus eligibility, amounts, and pay out dates and when you are first eligible for a performance review and raise. These can make a significant difference in your pay.

Whether or not you accept the position, maintain positive communication throughout and even after the negotiation. Consistently reinforce what you like about the company and your interest in it even if you do not accept their offer. There may be another opportunity in the future that may be a better match, or someone you have met during the process may recommend you for another position with a different company.

Tripping the Light Slacktastic While Breathing Fire

The old blog is looking kind of empty these days, few posts and even fewer meaty articles. For this I apologize. The twins and I are sick, sick, sick with the I-could-breathe-fire-and-sleep-in-a-bucket-of-ice crud. This is aligned, of course, with the exact moment in time at which Hub-A-Dub needs to work round the clock on a big project with a looming deadline. AND I have managed to align this with the start of new volunteer responsibilities plus my start of a class on writing, yes writing, real world style.

So, gather round friends. Once we wrap up that deadline and stop breathing fire, there should be new and interesting stories posted here soon.

Wacky Wednesday -- Sometimes They Really Should Come With A Warning Label

You can buy this tee and more at Rocket Ranger Productions.

Recipe Flashback

This recipe goes into my Blogger greatest hits file. It has attracted more traffic than any other single post. So with a nod of thanks, I'm reposting. Enjoy!
This simple recipe offers a nice alternative to candied sweet potatoes or french fries.

Ingredients:
Sweet Potatoes, cut in slices; Olive Oil; Salt; Ground Allspice

Instructions:
Place sweet potato slices in large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and add salt and allspice to taste. Mix ingredients until slices are evenly coated in olive oil and spices.

Spread in a single layer on aluminum foil lined baking pan. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 25 minutes.

* For an even sweeter treat, add a little cinnamon and sugar to the mix.

Political Roundup, Things to Watch, An Ongoing Post

Is Obama In or Out of the Healthcare Webcasts?

From TheHill.com
Nine candidates set for webcast health forums
By Jeffrey Young
September 20, 2007
Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) will be the first of at least nine presidential candidates to participate in a series of webcast forums on healthcare reform co-sponsored by a liberal advocacy group and a hospital lobbying organization.

Obama doesn't seem to be included in the long list of participating candidates, yet.


An Easy Grader and A Spintastic Soothsayer

from TheHill.com
Bush gives himself an ‘A’ on tax policy
By Klaus Marre
September 20, 2007
President Bush Thursday awarded himself the top grade on cutting taxes and warned that a recession could hit the country if Democrats had their way and raised taxes.

Ah yes, a recession would be the Democrats' fault. "Turn your eyes away from the lax restrictions on subprime lenders," says the spinning soothsayer.

Friday Fun -- Total Momsense

By Anita Renfroe

Special acknowledgment to Laurie's Reflections for finding this little gem.

Mrs. Chicken's Party

Mrs. Chicken's got a new roost, and she's throwing a housewarming party. Stop by and have a look around.

Wacky Wednesday: Avast Mateys! It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

September 19, 2007 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day

From "Tomorrow you'll pay a buccaneer for corn?" by By Paul Majendie on Reuters.com Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:54pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - Put a parrot on your shoulder, strap on a peg leg, hit the rum and start bellowing "Shiver me Timbers" -- Wednesday is International Talk Like A Pirate Day.
. . .
Pirate fans around the world have rallied round, showing that surreal silliness is alive and well.
. . .
A bar in Venice, Italy is holding an olive stone-spitting contest for would-be buccaneers.
. . .
A Brazilian fan even sent a letter of support in a bottle while one overjoyed Argentinian whose birthday falls on the same day said "It will be difficult to talk in Spanish like pirates but we will try."

Sign me up for the olive-stone spitting contest in Venice. I would like to request Orlando Bloom as my partner. What do you mean he's not a real pirate?

Find yer How to Talk Like a Pirate guide here. Audio clips available in German, Swedish and Mandarin Chinese.

Luxury Looks for Less

I like a little luxury. Who doesn't? But let's not get crazy. I don't need $9 scented dish soap or $16 dryer sheets infused with essential oils. But jewelry from Tiffany's, perfume from Saks, and luxury bed linens? Yes, yes and yes!

A little luxury in the right places goes a long way. Lovely jewelry can dress up a mundane mommy outfit, intoxicating perfume plays out its own scenario in your mind, and striking bed linens set the mood when you enter a room.

The price of luxury can be steep, so when something luxurious tickles my fancy, but seems just a bit too much at the time, I keep my eyes open for less expensive alternatives. The October issue of Family Circle brought me a welcome surprise. I was thrilled to find this line of linens from Martha Stewart Everyday.

Because I love the crisp tailored look and high-thread-count feel of fine hotel bed linens, I have been mulling over these similar collections from Restoration Hardware and like styles from Pottery Barn for some time. While I am not a regular Kmart shopper, these linens from Martha Stewart Everyday are just the sort of item that might make me walk through their doors.

Weekend Political Feature: In Their Words, Iraq War Blogs

A roundup of commentary from soldiers and their spouses and Iraqi citizens:


Dragonfly, the blog of a personal friend whose husband is currently serving in Iraq. This post is particularly insightful. I admire the grace and strength with which she approaches life while her husband is at war.

She Who Waits from the loving wife of a marine serving another tour of duty in Iraq.

Intel Dump from Phillip Carter who served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division as an adviser to the Iraqi police in 2005 and 2006.

Great Baghdad, the blog of Al-Rasheed, a 33-year-old man living and working in Baghdad. In "The Federal State of Iraq" he supplies an analysis of what some politicians and pundits positively spin as federalism in Iraq.

My War
"Endlessly surprising…delightfully profane… an unfiltered, often ferocious expression of his boots-on-the-ground point-of-view of the Iraq war."
- Arianna Huffington

An American Soldier, in Still Alive, January 15, 2007, Rob offers a first-hand account of Al Qaeda's strong presence in Iraq.

Baghdad Burning a young Iraqi woman tells of her plight and that of her country.

365 and a Wakeup from soldier who returned home in 2006. Excellent photos from a soldier's viewpoint. Albums accessible from the right column. Links to United States Central Command and Military.com sites.


(Blogs of current soldiers and military spouses are subject to regulation under military code and therefore may be subjected to heightened scrutiny.)