1 The Pentagon sees the pattern too, and they want to increase sharing with civilian authorities. If done right, it will prevent situations like this from happening again. If done wrong, it will set up the beginnings of a military police state here. Let's hope they do it right.

2 I know I keep harping on it, but Ghost Wars is an excellent book, and unfortunately full of such anecdotes. Under Clinton the CIA was almost paralyzed by fear of getting busted for an operation gone wrong, and the few attempts they did make at catching bin Laden were nixed by Clinton and his cronies before they could be carried out. Clinon's bunch didn't trust the CIA or the Pentagon, and were more worried about keeping a good state of CYA rather than getting something accomplished. They failed us utterly, completely, absolutely. By the time Bush took office, the CYA attitude had become so embedded in the menality of the CIA and the Pentagon, that we had become defenseless against pretty much everything. People should hang for this.

3 I.M. I thinkg the CYA attitude is all over the place in America. If I spent half as much time doing productive work as I do CMA from those who can't wait to climb over my back I could really kick some ass. They are out there though. You know the type just laying in wait for someone else to screw up so they can point it out and look like a hero. Never mind they haven't done squat themselves. I'ts usually across depts but not always.

4 As much as I hate to say it, lawyers have their place in society. However, when it comes to issues of national defence, especially those with global implications, they should not have any say in the selection of targets. Even worse, why were they given veto power over the brass? This p.c. crap has got to stop.

5 I know what ya mean Howie, when I was in the Army, at least half of any day was spent playing politics. The rule in the Army is that no matter what you do, even if it's perfect, it can be turned against you to make someone else look good, and it will be if you don't have the right connections. The only thing that kept me out of the brig for my last year in the Army was the fact that the commander thought the sun shined out of my ass. He had good reason to; I kept the books on 13 million dollars worth of property, for which the commander was financially liable if anything couldn't be accounted for, and for my entire tour after I took over the property books, neither of my successive commanders were ever called on the carpet to explain why their equipment couldn't be accounted for, nor did they lose one dime on account of sloppy records. This was very unusual in those days, because all we had were paper records, which are easy to screw up. Our First Sergeant was a mental midget and he and the other NCO's of the unit hated me because I wouldn't let them BS and get away with losing their gear that they had signed for, so they were out to get me, but I was all but untouchable. I learned the game well. So that's why I'm self employed, it seems that no matter where you go there is someone, usually several, who are looking to set their others up for failure. I'm not getting rich, but I can tell anyone who needs it to kiss my ass, and nobody calls me on the carpet for jack shit. I don't plan on dying of stress at an early age; I'd rather be hungry and free than a well-fed slave.

6 Got room for a lackey? Just kidding.

7 if only hillary will run for her parties nomination and win the chance to be on the ballet then the republican's will be assured of winning again, then we will have a chance to expand on Gwb's successes and finally clean things up! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, can you see it?