For example... I recall that one of the links I followed on this story mentioned that he was also an author/editor on the Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Intelligent Design.

And I thought it odd that no one had mentioned this interesting fact so far... at least, no one here. [Surely, there must be some connection between his involvement with that book and his recently emerging issues with "facts?!" Or is is just me?] But I was mostly too busy to comment over the weekend, and just this morning found a few minutes to check both Amazon and wikipedia.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/104-2759644-0383960?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=W.%20Thomas%20Smith%20Jr.

The wiki entry has some very interesting tidbits, too, though it is possible that not all of them are true, while the Amazon data (at least the first page) is more easily verifiable.

Now you've gone and released bebop-o's posse (myself included). Posts may soon rain down, explaining why bebop-o's presence is so important, and why we could not do without him.

A single snapshot of one post--or even a few-- from bebop-o cannot do him justice. Reading many of his posts, though, over a period of time, can be very revealing. Or, if you wish, you could just click on the link that takes you to his archives... and while you skim over the ones that seem to you to be obvious nonsense, just be sure to pause over those that connect the present (Iraq) with the past (Vietnam) and that describe his current environment (almost Edenic). Those are the ones that keep us grounded, reminding us why we're all here in the first place.

that Gates may have also (discreetly) encouraged the release of the NIE?

I know he's a senior administration official, and, as such, should not be doing such things. However, any comments he's made that have been supportive of GWB's Iraq/Iran policy have always seemed half-hearted to me.

And recently, (to paraphrase) he said something about the DOD being too huge to stop or turn on a dime. This NIE report can only help him in trying to bring things to a close... rather than having to gear up for another front/initiative.

I guess I should also find some links... but I wanted to ask the question first.

FDL's scarecrow asks the same question I did about the release of the NIE, i.e., was Gates behind it? And more, was the threat of a mass resignation used as leverage?

This Administration doesn't admit mistakes or knowingly humiliate itself, so I'm guessing they were forced to humble themselves by someone willing to go to the mat to get this NIE out. Bush 41's grownups used the Iraq Study Group to try to rescue Bush 43 from his own policies, and they failed. I suspect only Bob Gate's Pentagon seniors could have pulled this off, and only by threatening to resign. Was there another Comey/Ashcroft event?

http://firedoglake.com/2007/12/04/did-gates-force-bush-to-release-a-humilitiating-nie/

I'm having difficulty imagining who else could have had enough knowledge and influence... not to mention the desire/will to stop the war-mongerering. If it's true, let's hope he keeps his job.

Since I don't, there are no extra copies lying around the house.

And I don't read any of their other brother/sister publications either.

But, I plan to buy a single copy tonight while I'm at the supermarket, so I can make a list of advertisers. I'll post it later on.

Now, I have to catch a train...

James Clay Fuller explains the MSM

Fuller is a retired Minneapolis StarTribune reporter that I've read over the years. He has a recent post with a credible explanation for the pathetic performance of the MSM.

http://www.jamesclayfuller.com/2007/11/if-press-corps-says-it-doubt-it.html

I hope Glenn takes a moment to read it, it's worth commenting on.

-- grubert

I read Fuller's post and, even though he says things we already know, he says them-- sparely & clearly-- with the righteous authority of someone who used up a lot of shoe leather along the way. I particularly liked his use of the herd as an epithet for the Washington press corps.

Time and Truth

There is no vice so simple but assumes

Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.

How many cowards whose hearts are all as false

As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins

The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars,

Who inward searched, have livers white as milk!

-Bassanio

Merchant of Venice/III,ii

Shakespeare

-- Dirigo

* * *

Hey, Glenn! This bit of verse might be a great epigram for your new book. And/or, you could forget about that contest to name it, and use Livers White As Milk as the title.