By staying the course -- by keeping a huge U.S. military presence in Iraq -- the commission says the United States is conveying to Iraqis an "unintended message" of "permanence," of an "occupying force," when "what is needed is the opposite, one that is lighter, less massive, and more expeditionary.

Come on! Why did Bush/Cheney build the largest U.S. Embassy in the world in Bagdad? Because they intended to create a permanent presence in Iraq. Heck, they'll need a huge number of military to guard it, if nothing else.

"You haven't a real appreciation of Newspeak, Winston...Even when you write it you're still thinking of Oldspeak...You don't grasp the beauty of the destruction of words."

Folks, we're past the stage of using Newspeak in this country (thanks to Cheney/Bush/Rove) where defeat really means victory, and onto demonstrating victory by the use of Newmath, where 3 out of 18 benchmarks equates to violence being down 75 percent.

...there had been demonstrations to thank Big Brother for raising the chocolate ration to twenty grams a week. And only yesterday, he reflected, it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grams a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours?

Enough said!

Pantanal says:

I'm totally shocked that the right wing hasn't accused the Clintons yet of being behind the death of Barbara Olson.

Funny, I thought Barbara Olson's death was caused by folks in the Bush administration----either by commission or omission, depending upon your viewpoint of what happened on 9/11.

Ted Olson would be a perfect choice to keep the lid on that story, don't you think?

The person whose name is on the lease -- to whom the landlord rented the apartment in the first place -- stays. The others go!

Do some people actually think that "our people" aren't capable of causing the deaths of those who dare to speak out against this war publicly? Whether or not the deaths of Mora and Gray were accidental, accidental-on-purpose, or they were murdered, you can bet that others who would speak truth to power have now been silenced.

Senator Webb introduced that legislation on July 9 (with over 30 co-sponsors, by the way). Why are the neocons mounting an attack against it now, two months later? What's behind their sudden interest? Does anyone know?

Defense Sec. Robert Gates came out earlier today saying he would encourage Bush to veto Senator Webb's bill. Says it would be like a backdoor drawdown of troops, and also that it would be difficult to manage.

Following is the bio of Gates, from the Defense Department's website. Does anyone see any military service?

Add him to your list "never-serveds" Glenn.

Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on December 18, 2006, as the 22nd Secretary of Defense. Before entering his present post, Secretary Gates was the President of Texas A&M University, the nation’s seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the presidency of Texas A&M on August 1, 2002, he served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001.

Secretary Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. Secretary Gates is the only career officer in CIA’s history to rise from entry-level employee to Director. He served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser at the White House from January 20, 1989, until November 6, 1991, for President George H.W. Bush.

Secretary Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.

Secretary Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

He is the author of the memoir, From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insiders Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War, published in 1996.

Until becoming Secretary of Defense, Dr. Gates served as Chairman of the Independent Trustees of The Fidelity Funds, the nation's largest mutual fund company, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc.

Dr. Gates has also served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the American Council on Education, the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He has also been President of the National Eagle Scout Association.

A native of Kansas, Secretary Gates received his bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, his master’s degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University. Dr. Gates is 63, and he and his wife Becky have two adult children.