“How can the press corps even wake up the morning knowing full well that they're being played shamelessly.”

Paul Dirks

“So given that, I absolutely do think that any responsible journalist worth the name should call Petraeus a liar in every article -- at least whenever he is lying, which is every time he opens his mouth. Why is it so hard to say that?”

Amity

The media believe they are caught in the same trap that too many Dems in congress do, if you shamelessly call out the unvarnished truth about a member of our brave military, you are not supporting the troops and are un-American- especially when they are still serving in Iraq. As an “important” member of the M$M, attacking a dedicated, fearless, genius leader on his track record is the job of someone else not me.

It’s like the NIMBY thinking that permeates so many American brains. I agree with you until you make me see the reality of what it will do to my own back yard and now I can’t like or support it. So, I agree that the war was stupid and is causing my country so much trouble, but if I publicly proclaim that, now I have to admit that I was partly responsible and that disturbs my home grounds and inner feelings. If I keep believing that it is the other people’s job to do their job, I can rationalize away any personal responsibility.

Of course some media and political leaders are just simply afraid of losing access and status and don’t give a shit about their responsibility or actions, as long as their inflated ego remains intact.

Not that I agree or am defending this thinking. It is simply too hard for them to face the truth of their own actions when they have been so “successful” rationalizing away the truth. It feels so good to just keep on trucking that way through life and no accident by some other fool is going to block my path. That same thinking is how Gen. Betrayus goes through each day. He has built a “successful” career and next career by saying and doing what is best for him and his insecurities, not others.

It does seem incredible that this trapped thinking would lead someone to give any credibility to a general who has to “succeed” in Iraq to succeed. But it does.

“Having been in sales all my adult life and also having seen and talked with some of the greatest salesmen provides some insight into W.”

nick ray

Sociopaths aren't crazy -- they're possessed of a personality defect that makes them unable to feel empathy, to put themselves in others' shoes, to feel their pain; they see others as tools and playthings for their amusement, use, and abuse. Maybe that's what helps keep those sycophants working for him in awe of the Leader.

Slackie Onassis

“Which leads me to the real mystery of this to an outsider- why do you keep voting for him?”

geoffchaucer

Geoffchaucer, Slackie and nick have answered your question. Those who vote for our sick president, do so to keep their insecurities in tact and because it feels so good to be comforted and led by someone like GWB. And since Dubya is so like me, I won’t question any of his frailties or mine will show and then I can’t buy what he is selling- and I need it so much.

It’ been that way throughout history in republics, oligarchies, monarchies, fiefdoms, kingdoms, etc., when led by sociopathic, slick salesman despots. The supreme sales pitch has been and still is, it’s OK to suffer in this life so that you can romp in the splendors of your next life.

Maybe geoffchaucer you are perplexed because you think most people think rationally. They don’t. We all try to protect our insecurities more than we try to fix them. It often turns those who are not sociopaths or ego bloated comfort grabbers into suckers.

Especially if they are sociopaths. Now what is your definition of success?

Republican senator Dick Lugar who has never succumbed to partisan politics over the health of our nation just said it all in his opening statement at the Petraeus-Crocker hearing. If you didn’t hear it then make sure you find a way to read every word of it. I agree with every word and America would be very well served if it listened and followed his outstanding advice.

Republican senator Dick Lugar who has never succumbed to partisan politics over the health of our nation just said it all in his opening statement at the Petraeus-Crocker hearing. If you didn’t hear it then make sure you find a way to read every word of it. I agree with every word and America would be very well served if it listened and followed his outstanding advice.

Republican senator Chuck Hagel who gave a penetrating statement more than a question, dismissed the facts and benchmarks nonsense and cited statements by NCOs, the seven who wrote the op-ed piece in the NYT and a wounded warrior at Walter Reed on how their views are much more credible than Petraeus-Crocker. Interesting how it is two Republicans, one of whom is bailing from the Beltway scene, that are making the best case against keeping a major presence in Iraq.

Also notable is how Petraeus-Crocker seem to be saying that decentralization and local political developments are very encouraging even though the national government is dysfunctional. Hagel said get out from under the bushes and look at the strategic picture and whether further spilling of blood and national treasure is worth it.