I promise not to get mad.

Sure. You say that now !

Michael: You've got a commanding lead.
I don't know how long the voting is open, but I did see that you're allowed to vote every 24 hours.

My 2nd choice ITM is in 2nd place.

You're the best MJT... though I wouldn't place to much stock in these polls, it's all about Iowa and New Hampshire!

Yeah, you're winning handily so far. I voted, so don't get mad. Please.

You going be back stateside by December? How long are you in Iraq this time?

Thanks for voting! I'll be back in mid-December.

Good luck Michael!

I find what you do is intersting I am 21 yrs old ever since I was 13 yrs old ive been traveling around the US with my father and seen that you've traveled coast to coast makes me want to experience it on my own some day keep up the good work and the best of luck.

I'll buy you a beer when you get back!

MJT, here's something I would like to know. If Iraqi national reconciliation fails, will the Sunnis revert to the fascism of Saddam Hussein, or have their experiences with AQI and Americans over the last few years fundamentally changed the culture?

I will be grateful for any insights you can glean on your trip to Fallujah. Dogspeed.

Wow Michael, you are putting a beating on Iraq The Model and it is a very respectable blog, of course. You should be proud.

If each vote gave you a thousand bucks...

Voted for you twice so far. I'll try to give you 4 more before voting ends.

Good luck! I'll go and vote for you now!

If you ever get to pass through Dubai, I'd be interested in hearing about your impression. Here's something interesting - especially the comments.

I like ITM OK, but don't read it as much as yours -- because he doesn't write as well or about as many interesting things.

Besides being interested in any growing "blame Iran" movement, I'm also interested in Shia thoughts on oil fund sharing and integrated neighborhoods.

Tom Grey: My understanding is that ITM has gone belly up - all 3 brothers have left Iraq and are in the US (graduate school). A post appears now and then, but not from the red zone.

The choices are pretty weak overall. I wonder why no one nominated blogs like Abu Aardvark, Arabist, 'Aqoul, etc?

It's also strange to see that they didn't accept Juan Cole's as a finalist. To my mind, his site is more informative than any of the finalists (sorry).

Done MJT. Hope you win.

when you say, "I have been nominated," i think what you really mean is "i have nominated myself."

lol. ain't nothing wrong with self promotion, as long as you own up to it!

Tinseltown,

Ok, you got me. But I didn't pick myself for the finalists list...

MJT is certainly not the only one who self nominated. For that matter, unless the blog is self-titled how does one know if the nominator isn't also the blogger? You can't win (and win MJT did) unless you play!

I would have nominated you if I was aware of the award. Next time tip me off and I will take care of it! :)