"If you find that you will be here in Iraq, please let me know as most of the interviews that Gen Petraeus prefers to do are here in Iraq face-to-face and mostly on battlefield circulations."

It's my impression that Hewitt did his interview from the comfort of a stateside studio, not after traveling to Baghdad and experiencing "battlefield" conditions nor playing to "battlefield circulations" (Stars and Stripes?, the "Marine Corps Gazette"?).

Maybe someone should extend an invitation for him to come to New Orleans/the Gulf Coast and experience, first hand, some of the problems we face right here in America which could have been (at least partially) alleviated with just a small portion of the $10 billion/month we are throwing down that Iraqi rathole every week. (source: Congressional Research Service)

Don't get into an email trading contest with this Clown (Col. USA), Glenn. He's paid with our tax dollars to protect the interests of the military and he'll just wear you down until he retires and then takes on gainful employment as a "head" with Fox News.

Speaking on behalf of myself only, I'd like to apologize to you for allowing this entire thread to continue without welcoming you.

As a first time poster on Solon, your comments are truly valued, especially when it comes time to count the hits a certain site receives. Thank you for having such discriminating taste and choosing this blog to initiate your commenting on Solon articles and for your contribution to the Glenn Greenwald Retirement Fund.

Again, Welcome to Solon and the Glenn Greenwald Blog comment section.

"There's no such thing as profanity."

Perhaps, but there is such a thing as being polite.

Was that a compliment?

Sincerely,

Jebbie of the Short Stalk

Plunk your magic twanger, Froggie.

If one has a Manichean mindset, that is probably an accurate declaration. Torture is either acceptable or it is not acceptable. It's either good or it's bad. I suppose it might hinge upon who's testicles are being squeezed as to whether one accepts it or not but, nevertheless, I believe Klein and His Ilk would opt for "Unacceptable" if it were his nuts in the vice.

Klein and the other Oh, So Serious Washington Pundits worry about one thing and one thing only. Their desire to maintain acceptability with the "in" crowd (whether it be Democrat or Republican - it matters not) is primary since without access to the "power elite" they would actually have to earn a living instead of Whoring for whoever wants good press and is willing to pay for it with such important currency as invitations to White House galas (see also Gregory, David).

Klein's biggest problem now is one of smoothly swapping his allegiance from Republican to Democrat so he can ride the wave in 2008 without, once again, having to actually get a job.

Glenn is writing stuff which will make Klein's transition a little more difficult albeit still very predictable.

It's not their job to prevent killings and that is precisely why using our military for the purpose of nation building is utter insanity.

Using troops to prevent killings is no different than using Viagra to prevent pregnancy.

Get serious, Paul.

"And btw, I'm not sure I agree with Glenn about impeaching Gonzales for perjury. It is true that that charge is exceedingly difficult to prove, but it is clear to me that Gonzales lied to Congress. That is not incompatible with pursuing the horror of what these "other" programs he mentioned also are; that is obviously also a matter that ought to be a high priority. So, I disagree with Glenn sometimes, but not on the Klein matter."

Although I'm not a legal Maven, (and as such, my thoughts don't demand much weight from a legal standpoint), I tend to agree with Glenn on this if only for practical political reasons.

Gonzales, contrary to popular opinion on most left-of-center blogs, is certainly not stupid and that simple fact makes me more than suspicious that we may be witnessing a setup here. The whole thing is just too easy.

At this time, I'd like to remind you of the parable about The Old Bull and the Young Bull.

The Bulls were standing on the top of the hill looking down at a herd of cows grazing nearby when the Young Bull said, "Hey, Pops, let's run down this hill and screw us a cow."

"Son", the Old Bull replied, "let's walk down the hill and screw them all."

Before the Democrats publicly commit to perjury charges against anyone, they had better be damned sure they can score a conviction because if they don't, their credibility with the American public will take a major hit and it will take that hit at precisely the wrong time.

Gonzales' credibility with the public is shot. Therefore, his usefullness to the administration is zilch. In short, he's ruint. Any damage which can be done to him has already been done (Bush will most certainly pardon him even if he's convicted) and it might be wiser to just keep plugging away and thus concurrently damaging the entire administration's credibility rather than merely seeking vengence from a relatively low ranking puppet (regardless of his title, that's actually what he is).

What's the hurry?

I hear that Gitmo is rather muggy this time of year. I was there in the spring and the weather was gorgeous. Will you please ask them if you can delay your departure until it cools down and hurricane season is past?

Is there anything I can bring you? Books (I can bring you an autographed copy of Kissinger's White House Years), snacks, clean socks?