The 2006 Iraq Travelogue from Michael J. Totten

One of the true benefits of blogging is that it can be done anywhere there's an Internet connection, and today's No. 21 top blog post does that just from Erbil, the capital of the northern Kurdish territory of Iraq. Blogger Michael J. Totten, author of the Middle East Journal blog, says the war's already over in much of northern Iraq. His photos, descriptions and encounters with a driver provide a fascinating look at a part of the world most Americans see only as sound bites on the evening news.

Writes Totten: "The city didn’t look like anywhere I wanted to be. Few things in this world are uglier than totalitarian cities. And while Erbil isn’t totalitarian anymore, Saddam Hussein left his stinking thumbprints all over the place." For intrepid behavior alone, Samizdata blog recommends Totten's writings. "A great read" says Small Dead Animals.

Dick Cheney, the moving humor target
Vice President Dick Cheney remains today's most-blogged person, not only because 78-year-old Harry Whittington (second burstiest person) suffered a minor heart attack earlier this week after being shot by Cheney while quail hunting but because comedians everywhere have scared up a covey of jokes. Boing Boing's "Ten Ways Dick Cheney Can Kill You" feature is today's No. 9 top blog post, and The Daily Show's Rob Corddy is the fourth-burstiest person in the blogosphere for his Monday night commentary about the shooting. Conservative bloggers, led by Michellel Malkin, are questioning the motives of Washington Post reporter Dana Milbanks, who appeared on TV wearing an orange vest and hat, but are silent about Florida Gov. Jeb Bush doing the same. What...pointed humor is acceptable only if you're related to the President?

Calling it quits
Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett is the subject of today's sixth-most-cited news story for dropping out of the U.S. Senate race because of pressure he claims was exerted by Democratic party-leaders and fund raisers ("no room for liberal hawks?" asks Professor Bainbridge), and quitting is also on the agenda in the UK, where a smoking ban for bars and private clubs goes into effect in 2007 (No. 18 top link). "And the search for civilisation continues," moans Warren Ellis.