by Aimai at No More Mister Nice Blog:

http://nomoremister.blogspot.com/2009/09/no-seriously-dude-acolyte-its-fun-to.html

There's nothing I can say that will make Klein more absurd than his own writings. But there is something important here. No no, not Klein's fight with Greenwald. That's like watching a man with a “lion tamer's hat” actually taking on a lion.

But to want that is to be determined to stand behind what you've written or what you've said. You have to take your work seriously—do your research, form your opinions, and stick to them because they are good or as good as they could be under the circumstances.** But Klein doesn't want to do that—he's said too many stupid things at this point. Too many venial, corrupt, weak, vile, bought and paid for political puff balls. He said things he knew his interlocutor wanted him to say. He's said things he knew one party wanted him to say although he knew that they were untrue, or dangerous, or foolish, or just partial. He's not a public intellectual—he's a fucking wind sock. And he knows it.

Top recommended diary at Daily Kos by by RaulVB:

www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/8/751450/-Glenn-Greenwald-destroying-NPRs-Alicia-Shepard,-not-even-funny

Includes also much recommended comment "Greenwald also destroys Obama admin on post acquittal detention" by by science first.

Panetta: No Torture. No exceptions.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2008/0801.panetta.html:

...what's wrong with a little waterboarding or electric shock?

The simple answer is the rule of law. Our Constitution defines the rules that guide our nation. It was drafted by those who looked around the world of the eighteenth century and saw persecution, torture, and other crimes against humanity and believed that America could be better than that. This new nation would recognize that every individual has an inherent right to personal dignity, to justice, to freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.

We have preached these values to the world. We have made clear that there are certain lines Americans will not cross because we respect the dignity of every human being. That pledge was written into the oath of office given to every president, "to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution." It's what is supposed to make our leaders different from every tyrant, dictator, or despot. We are sworn to govern by the rule of law, not by brute force.

We cannot simply suspend these beliefs in the name of national security. Those who support torture may believe that we can abuse captives in certain select circumstances and still be true to our values. But that is a false compromise. We either believe in the dignity of the individual, the rule of law, and the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, or we don't. There is no middle ground.

We cannot and we must not use torture under any circumstances. We are better than that.

From an observer up on the Hill by Josh Marshall - Panetta independent

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/01/really_a_mystery.php:

I think there is a lot more here than is being said. I believe that Feinstein did not want someone like Panetta who has a large and independent power base and network. If you get a career guy they are a lot easier to isolate and move around. Panetta has been around for a long time and has his own network. I actually think that it is a good choice. He knows how intelligence needs to be presented to the President - that is the critical issue here.

The issue is not intell guy or non-intell guy. The big issue for Blair and Panetta is strategic or tactical orientation. We are fighting two wars and the warfighter always screams they don't have enough intel or enough of anything for that matter. The dice are so loaded for support to the warfighter that critical strategic intelligence for the President and other senior leaders goes wanting due to time constraints on collection assets. We need a significant re-orientation away from tactical support by CIA and other National agencies and back to their primary mission - direct intelligence support to the President.

The selection of Panetta, with a much wider and deeper power base than either of them, makes me hopeful in this regard. Panetta is a skilled operator, he knows how to get things done. He knows how to get a budget approved and to make the wheels of government work. He will be a force - both in the Administration and on the Hill -- much larger than any career guy could be. This is good. It gives the CIA the opportunity to re-create itself within the current structure.

These biblical words opens Väinö Linna's epic trilogy, Under the North Star.

"Actions are held to be good or bad, not on their own merits, but according to who does them" is one of themes in this panoramic view of people who participate in historical events. Under the North Star is kind of outlook on life projected onto history depicting the whole of society and dynamics of it.

The characters at the core of the novel participate in historical (tragic) events and give expression to the effect of these events on their individual lives. In this way the past is portrayed as the direct and personal experience of the individuals involved and not as changes in large historical structures.

In english: http://www.vapaasana.com/kirjakauppa2.htm

I just reread Under the North Star. One can only emphasise on the basis of shaking reread experience how important it is to throw light like Glenn Greenwald does.