The Pentagon will increase the number of troops stationed in Iraq, up to 135,000, and 4000 troops who had been scheduled to return home have been ordered to stay on in an effort to secure Baghdad. According to the NY Times, "the new security plan allows almost no room for significant troop withdrawals by the end of 2006." The Times quotes military analyst Anthony H. Cordesman as saying, “people are now talking about 2009 as the goal for achieving really serious security.” Got that? 2009.

Many voices are calling for an end to the violence and agreement on an immediate ceasefire. The UN has called for a humanitarian truce. Bill Clinton on Thursday "questioned the length to which Israel has gone to defend itself. "It's important for us to get some kind of ceasefire now," Clinton said." Warren Christopher agreed, saying in a letter to the Washington Post that it was his belief "that in the short term we should focus our efforts on stopping the killing." New Yorkers held a peace vigil, "decrying civilian casualties on both sides."

Meanwhile George Bush sees the violence as a “moment of opportunity.” Seems like we've heard that before. Will there be rose petals this time?

A day late and a dollar short, Hillary Clinton stopped by Astoria today for a press opportunity. Did nobody tell her the lights are back on now? Jonathan walked through Astoria last Sunday, visiting with the frustrated residents and volunteering with the Red Cross. Below, he distributes supplies to neighbors who were enduring the seventh day of the blackout. Last Sunday.

Queens residents have suffered for an astonishing seven days without electricity, and no clear explanation has been forthcoming. Con Ed has promised a report within two weeks as to the cause of the blackout, and still cannot say when all power will be restored in the borough.

Jonathan walked through Astoria today, listening as residents described their ordeal. In the afternoon he volunteered with the Red Cross, distributing water and sandwiches. The frustration level was high. It's difficult for anyone to understand how such a massive outage could happen, and why it would take so long to repair. Some leaders are calling for the area to be declared a disaster area.

Click here for Code Pink's list of actions you can take toward ending the violence in the ME, including calling John Bolton at the UN to ask him to call for a ceasefire.