What Glenn describes seems to be something new, as new as our Republican Injustice Department, and it's not at all a healthy innovation.

-- William Timberman

There have always been military officers "retired" by administrations for differing views on conflict but, as WT notes, never has it been so explicitly politically motivated.

The politicization, evangelization and privatization of our military will impact recruitment (if it doesn't already), just as the lack of enthusiasm for the Iraq war (and concern about an upcoming war with Iran) have.

The fact that many on the right do not believe in sending their own children to fight the wars they feel are necessary would seem to result in one of two scenarios - a military that slowly crumbles due to a physical inability meet the interventionist goals of this administration, or the implementation of a draft.

I would think either one of these scenarios would result in a repudiation of our current foreign policy objectives. The only recourse they would have would be total privatization via the Blackwater route. Would the country tolerate this?

I don't think the country is that completely swayed by misinformation to tolerate that. Besides which, the country couldn't even begin to afford it. Not that that has stopped so many other boondoggles from coming to pass, but really, our current 'mercenary force' is insanely expensive.

I hope you're right. Unfortunately, at present, there seem to be no fiscal limits the Bush agenda cannot surmount. Bush is poised to ask Congress for additional funding for Iraq and they will give it to him because "We must support our troops". They have managed to strip funding from every social program that exists in order to fund their aggression and no amount of educating people about what those funds could have done for the social infrastructure seems to matter.

It frightens me that the only thing that might actually halt this misguided policy would be if China called in their chits. It's a wonder it hasn't happened already. I suppose there are sound fiscal reasons why it hasn't, but it isn't too far-fetched to wonder if China isn't just giving us rope with which to hang ourselves.

Is it really surprising they can't comprehend simple English when their entire vocabulary consists of right-wing soundbites, Republican talking points and wingnut knee-jerk vocalizations?

It's truly amazing that anything more comprehensive than heavy grunting comes out of their mouths when they pick up their clubs and attack. A tree full of chimpanzees has a more nuanced understanding of English than they exhibit.

a tool (and he does sound like a real tool, doesn't he?) of this administration bullies and lies to a member of the press, then lies about it... where's the news? this has been their MO since the campaign in 2000.

You don't think evidence of politicization of the military should be news? You don't think evidence of military intimidation of domestic informational organizations should be news?

Yes, this is the administration's MO and it needs to become news every time it happens or you will soon be living in a country where people like Glenn are "disappeared". Perhaps then the news will be more to your liking.

Glenn has already commented, either in this section or on the other post about Boylan's Denial, that actions are being taken. He is working on this and I think it behooves us to be patient and allow those actions to coalesce. He doesn't necessarily owe us a blow by blow description of what is going on behind the scenes, especially if revealing it prematurely could interfere with what is being done.

In the meantime, instead of being aggressively argumentative, the rest of us can add our voices to the chorus and keep attention on this as it deserves. I think you are on the same side as Glenn, and most of the rest of us, on this. So why are you so angry with him?

B's letters are the vegetables and spices in the UT stew. Without his contributions the meal is incomplete. His thoughts can be read on many levels. All you need is a little time for thought - he has already provided the food.

RMP - good letter. I hope Fallon responds.

My house is being attacked by roving bands of pirates! Smallish ones...

-- bamage

We had wee witches. Wots of um!

There was a butterfly, two princesses, an adorable lion. A two-legged cat crossed the lawn while the four-legged one attacked flying leaves. A skeleton kept company with a disco dancer. We even had Pinnocchio visit.

No whining B. How about some mulled cider with a jot of rum to fend off the chill? A perfect Halloween night.

I was Pocahontas last weekend. I love Halloween.