Does Drezner live in a world where he only encounters ass kissing? If not, he must be a very unpleasant guy to be around. He comes across as a petty, irritating, thin-skinned guy of exactly the type you might encounter at a social gathering and, within a minute or two, politely ditch.

It is true he says that torture is wrong. So what? Even Bush and Cheney say that torture is wrong.

The relevant point is that torture is not just wrong, it is a crime and this crime has been committed. There is clear evidence linking decisions made in the Oval Office and the Pentagon to the crimes.

This should be investigated. If there are any mitigating circumstances or grey areas, let the defense attorneys make that argument.

I sure am glad I never had to deal with Drezner back in the day. My guess is that his students are on to him and butter him up to his face while laughing at him over lattes at the student union.

Will the Obama appoint civil libertarian judges (including USSC justices when possible)? And if so, will the Dems in the Senate actually have the stones to approve such appointments?

If so, I think that may be our best hope.

I do not look to Obama or congress for much else. That civil liberties stuff is so boring. (to them)

Happy New Year, Glenn.

It is good news if we are now safe from having to scroll past page after page of bebop-o's time-wasting crap. He/she/it should set up he/she/its own blog and type nonsense all day every day. Those who want to wade through it, go ahead.

What a happy day if this kind of toxic spam is going to stop.

Who says:

Dear Joel Grant,

Eat a dick.

Warmly,

OK, I'll bite (so to speak). What motivates you to such a crude and silly insult?

Who says:

You came onto a comments thread with nothing to add but some obnoxious sentiments about someone whom you know will be prevented from defending himself. So I turn your question back on you, sir: what motivates you to be such a douchecock?

First you make suggest I suck a dick and now call me a 'douchecock'. And complain about my obnoxious sentiments. Thanks for the good laugh!

I ignored bebop-o while he was here on the grounds that his own endless blather wasted enough time. Now that he is (apparently) gone I am happy.

If you are unhappy and actually enjoyed his public meltdown, good for you. You and bepop-o can go start your own blog and type away until your keyboards fizzle.

So, your turn. Try Grey's Anatomy if you need to raise your sights a bit.

I noticed Elephantman's post this morning but passed by, as I was at work. Intercooler quotes him like this:

I always have a hard time understanding why the left-wing finds it convenient, or useful, to make common cause with groups like Hamas.

I have a different take on this.

Remember how the ACLU backed Oliver North? The NAZI party? Various and sundry churches and religious groups over the years?

It is possible to take a stand, on principle, without approving of the behavior of every actor involved in a dispute.

I am one of the many who is very critical of Israel's behavior, in Gaza recently, and in many ways in general.

I am an atheist. I have no sympathy with anyone's religious claims, whether they be claims on land, on morality, on tradition, or anything else. I am equally dismissive of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim claims about land being "holy".

My opposition to Israel's current onslaught has to do with my sympathy as a human to ALL who suffer in this tortured part of the world.

Both Israelis and Palestinians and the people in Gaza have the right to defend themselves and a legitimate hope to live in peace. Nothing that is going on now seems likely to do anything but add to the sum total of human misery.

I find Hamas to be contemptible - but so what. Their justifications are hard to distinguish from those with whom they are locked in mortal combat.

I would love to see my own country adopt the role of a strong and honest broker.

What ever happened to "Christian" forgiveness and charity?

This guy and his innocent family have fallen so low they cannot help but inspire feelings of compassion. I hope this experience teaches him humility and honesty.

If he is gay, he needs to accept that and live an honest life.

What a painful case.