Saddam To Hang, Balance of Power Here? 49,49

Hey and happy Saturday morning folks,

We’ll get to the IWA, and "Just My Thoughts" in a little bit. First, Day after tomorrow. That’s right, 2 days to go. I remember when I was a kid, counting down to something, I LOVED those words. After trying to figure out how long I still have to wait until the local fair, my Birthday, Christmas, or even just the last day of school, I loved hearing the words, "Day after tomorrow."

Well, the BIG news today is Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death by hanging for 1982 killings of 148 people in a single town. When the verdict was read, he shouted , trembling, "God is great!" According to the AP,

"As he, his half brother and another senior official in his regime were convicted and sentenced to death, Saddam yelled out, "Long live the people and death to their enemies. Long live the glorious nation, and death to its enemies!"

Some feared the verdicts could intensify Iraq's sectarian violence after a trial that stretched over nine months in 39 sessions and ended nearly 3 1/2 months ago. Clashes immediately broke out Sunday in north Baghdad's heavily Sunni Azamiyah district. Elsewhere in the capital, celebratory gunfire rang out.

"This government will be responsible for the consequences, with the deaths of hundreds, thousands or even hundreds of thousands, whose blood will be shed," Salih al-Mutlaq, a Sunni political leader, told the al-Arabiya satellite television station."

I doubt it. Saddam can and should tremble all he wants. He can yell "Great is God" all he wants. He is about to meet him. Now you can find this story anywhere. It will be all over the place today. People will be arguing how the timing of this verdict is political. It is meant to help President Bush and the Republicans. That is simply Bunk. But they will say it. You will hear how this justifies going there. You will hear how this changes nothing. Blah, blah, blah. I do say this, it is a great day for democracy in Iraq. I also found this interesting,

"The death sentences automatically go to a nine-judge appeals panel, which has unlimited time to review the case. If the verdicts and sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days."

30 days after hearing? Interesting.

As for what is going on here. Take a look around. Some of the MMD are STILL reporting that it’s a lock for the LWL to take over. Remember yesterday I pointed out that Ramussen Reports was reporting that the Democrats took the lead, BUT, big BUT only by one seat. 49 / 48. But today? What a difference a day makes folks,

"Senate Balance of Power: GOP 49 Dems 49 Toss-Up 2"

They list the changes as,

On October 30, we shifted Washington from "Leans Democrat" to "Democrat"
On October 20, we shifted the Montana Senate race from "Leans Democrat" to "Toss-Up"
On October 16, we shifted the Virginia Senate race from "Leans Republican" to "Toss-Up"
On October 13, 2006, we shifted the Tennessee Senate race from "Leans Democrat" to "Toss-Up"
On October 10, we shifted the Pennsylvania Senate race from "Leans Democrat" to "Democrat."
On October 9, we shifted Michigan and Minnesota from "Leans Democrat" to "Democrat."
On October 2, we shifted Tennessee from "Toss-Up" to "Leans Democrat.
On September 25, we shifted Washington from "Democrat" to "Leans Democrat"
On September 18, Montana, Rhode Island, and Ohio all shifted from "Toss-Up" to "Leans
Democrat."
On September 12, Washington shifted from "Leans Democrat" to "Democrat."
On September 8, Tennessee moved from "Leans Republican" to "Toss-Up."
On September 6, New Jersey shifted from "Leans Democrat" to "Toss-Up."
On September 5, Rhode Island moved from "Leans Democrat" to "Toss-Up."
On the first day of September, Rasmussen Reports changed the Minnesota Senate race from "Democrat" to "Leans Democrat."
On August 25, we shifted Pennsylvania from "Democrat" to "Leans Democrat." Santorum remains the nation's most vulnerable incumbent, but he has closed to within single digits.
On August 24, Washington moved from "Democrat" to "Leans Democrat."
On August 18, in the wake of controversial remarks by Senator George Allen, Virginia changed from "Republican" to "Leans Republican"

I list this here just to remind you that this is NOT a lock for either side. The power is YOURS. You will decide who controls the country. If you chose not to vote, as the AP is predicting, remember, no vote, is a vote for the winner. You choosing not to vote, IS a vote for whoever wins. Now AP asked,

"Government of the people, by the people, will be missing a lot of people Election Day.

It's a persistent riddle in a country that thinks of itself as the beacon of democracy. Why do so few vote?"

The answer is simple. A lot of people are just flat out fed up with both parties. But unfortunately there is no REAL third choice. It goes on to say,

"The pitched battle for control of the House and Senate in Tuesday's election has raised hope that voting will rise above its usual anemic levels. But competitive races are not reliable predictors of turnout and doubts exist about whether Republicans will be as fired up as Democrats and whether independents will vote with their feet or their seat."

{Laughing} I love this paragraph. Trust me folks, the Republicans are fired up. Regardless of what the MMD want you to think. The Independents? This one IS voting with my feet. Not my seat.

"Despite the competitive nature of the 2000 presidential race and the certainty of having a new chief executive no matter who won, just more than half turned out. In 2004, a polarized year when everyone remembered the near dead heat four years earlier, turnout climbed over 60 percent — edging a little closer to the likes of Iran, Iceland and Somalia."

One, I couldn't care less what the numbers for Iran, Iceland, and Somalia are. Two, you will NEVER get 100 percent. Three, I hope and would like to believe that this time around it will be more like 60 than 40. But that is strictly up to you. Get ready. 2 days to go. GO VOTE.

Peter

Sources:

AP-"Saddam, 2 others sentenced to death"
Rasmussen Reports-Senate Balance of Power: GOP 49 Dems 49 Toss-Up 2
"Why do so few people vote in the U.S.?"