Packing it in

Just for the night, that is. I'm not burned out yet although stories like this one rip at my soul,

An attorney representing former detainees says his recent fact-finding mission to Baghdad uncovered dozens of cases of physical and psychological abuse, sexual humiliation, religious desecration and rape in ten US-run prisons throughout occupied Iraq.

others like this one tear at my heart,

Aslan Zaratsov was one of the lucky ones.

The 14-year-old was alive to tell the story of how he managed to escape from the gymnasium where so many of his schoolmates, teachers, parents and friends were killed as the Beslan school siege reached its bloody climax yesterday afternoon.

The teenager was lying on the floor of the gymnasium - hungry, thirsty and without sleep for almost three days - when the first explosion went off.

and still others like this one claw at my spirit.

The blast ripped through stores where Iraqis were shopping and cafes where men applying for the police force were sipping tea and escaping the summer heat as they waited their turn to sign up at the nearby western Baghdad police headquarters.

The 47 dead included would-be police recruits and civilians. At least 114 people were wounded, Health Ministry spokesman Saad Al-Amili said.

But no, I'm not ready to give it up. (Although if anyone has any links to any encouraging bits, I'd love to have them - and no, some article about how John Kerry is ahead/tied/not far behind Shrub will not cut it.)

But while I'm not burned out, I am sick and tired. Literally. Both. And I've spent hours on a frustrating and not very productive job search. So I don't feel well, I'm tired, and I'm packing it in for the night. Be back tomorrow. In the meantime, talk among yourselves. Goodnight.