Tonight's Rescue Rangers are jlms qkw, jennyjem, HansScholl, dadanation (pulling double duty), and ItsJessMe, with shayera editing.

• iampunha uses August 6, 1965: a birthright recognized to remind us of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and how it may be imperiled today. (jlms qkw)
• Chris Rodda explores the growing influence of fundamentalist Christianity in the U.S. military and the the consequences for national security in Attention All "Evil-Doers"... This Really is a Religious War! (HansScholl)
• A Siegel reports that Rep. Earl Blumenauer has come up with a new buzz-word to describe the Republican solution to high fuel prices - Drillusion. (jennyjem)
• distraught makes clear why the U.S. needs National AIDS Strategy [Update 2: CDC stats & concurrent sex]. A very timely offering given the opening of the International Conference on AIDS in Mexico City this week. (dadanation)
• Something the Dog Said reminds us that even though we can lose, we should not lose ourselves in the process, and asks Do Dems Have PTSD? (ItsJessMe)
• Brown Man ATL examines race and how the notion of the American identity has changed in Obama and Racial Ambiguity: Acting White. (HansScholl)
• VirginiaDem digs up some instances where John McCain was MIA in McCain missed key energy votes that failed by a vote. (jennyjem)
• davidwalters educates the Kos community on Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) in The Dreaded Nuclear Waste Diary! (ItsJessMe)
• LtdEdishn shares the experience of running for local office with an eye to the expense involved in Low Budget Campaigns... (jennyjem)
• NCrissieB offers a very thought-provoking essay in Racism, sexism, organization, and the politics of mass distraction and suggests how Democrats can win in the upcoming election if they maintain the right focus and discipline. (dadanation)

jotter brings yesterday's High Impact Diaries: August 6, 2008.

va dare brings Top Comments 8.7.08 va dare goes to DC and MD.

Enjoy and please promote your own favorite diaries in this open thread.