Even the phrase "use of force" conceals much more than it reveals. Perhaps if we instead used the phrase "use of incendinary munitions resulting in human flesh roasting and blistering until it peels off the bone of its victims" we would be having a slightly more honest discussion.

I have never, ever heard a single one of these people give even a passing nod to the actual costs of their unleashed impulses and hot war wet dreams. It's almost as if it is somehow beneath them to see, or maybe to acknowledge, the horrors they have produced. Are they somehow building little walls in their own minds to protect themselves from this truth (aka Sybil), or do they truly, pathologically just not give a shit???

Last night we brought you the news of Patrick Syring, the 20-year career Foreign Service officer, who has been indicted for harassing the staff of the Arab Institute -- Anonymous

Sounds like Karl's been visiting the State Department in addition to the DOJ, etc.

Still, Holly has a point. There are folks in the US Foreign Service who voluntarily terminated their careers in protest over administration actions. These are the people she is referring to. Not some wiener that Reagan hired who's been waiting 20 years to tell everyone what he really thinks.

Joe Wilson, for one. I hope he runs for office. His wife, too. --Anonymous

You're reading my mind. There were others, too, just as formidable, if not so infamous. All of them need to emulate the Wilsons and step up to tell their stories. I think the country might finally be of an inclination to listen.

People reject the term "empire" to describe the US primarily because such a term holds negative connotations and is historically adverse to the American national character, since its founding.

It seems to me that you are describing those on the right who still have some shred of conscience left. Just enough to recall that there is still a negative connotation connected with the word "empire". Or perhaps those who still, hwever vestigially, recognize that "empire" wasn't something supported by those who framed our style of governance. I am not as widely exposed to the pundit class as many who post here, but it seems to me that there some therein who actually seem to revel in the concept, if not actually in the word "empire", as if it were the highest accolade one could aspire to.

They may not state it plainly, but there are folks out there who plainly feel that "empire" is "a good thing". (sorry Martha)

Well, I suspected that might be a bit too much for our own li'l pistol-packer to pass up. The mere mention of the Wilson's, regardless of the content of the discussion, is enough to twist Shooter's knickers so tight he just has to start squealing in derision...

Ever wonder why the Wilsons have trouble with said "story" when under oath in an impartial setting? Or why the civil lawsuit didn't go forward?

I've never seen either of the Wilson's testify, but I do wonder if Shooter holds our dear Attorney General to the same standards as he holds those who expose the sort of administration lies that the AG spouts in testimony to Congress.

As for the civil lawsuit, it is being appealed, so it is still viable no matter how much Shooter wishes otherwise. And here are some interesting tidbits about the judge who dismissed it:

Judge John D. Bates

Judge Bates was on detail as Deputy Independent Counsel for the Whitewater investigation from 1995 to mid-1997.

In 2005, he was appointed by Chief Justice Rehnquist to serve on the U.S. Judicial Conference Committee on Court Administration and Case Management.

In February 2006, he was appointed by Chief Justice Roberts to serve as a judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/bates-bio.html

He was appointed by Bush and his ruling in this case is not the first he's issued that has resulted in protections being extended to the administration.

I know pistol-packer's a hypocrite. I was just trying to be polite. I also know that's pretty much a wasted effort...

Bob Shrumitis has become a virus, to make a move prematurely will be political suicide.

-- Jim Montague

I've been a clinical microbiologist for 20+ years and, if you ask me, this sounds more like a fungus.....

You are absolutely correct, however, in identifying it as part of the pathology afflicting the structure, whatever prokaryotic kingdom they end up being classified as.