Seems that your 250 word diatribes skipping around madly for yet another metaphor miss the mark on this one simple point.

It seems we aren't speaking the same language.

I have stated in as unambiguous language as possible that an armed conflict with Iran has not yet occured, but is distinct possibility given the actions and statements of the Bush Administration and its supporters.

To repeat, this time in big letters: IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET, BUT IT VERY WELL COULD SOMETIME SOON.

Simple enough, eh?

If you want to play rhetorical 'gotcha' games, do it with someone else. My primary concern is the current trajectory of events on the ground in the northern Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.

Cmon commit already. Those are your words, not mine.

They aren't mine, and this is where you either need to learn how to read or get serious psychological help.

I've made my own position clear. You wish to hold me accountable for the words of others, that's your affair.

You're officially shrouded for the remainder of the semister.

I mean guarantees are forever, aren't they?

No, they aren't. Gods and godesses and all the angels and demons ever named willing, there will be no attack on Iran.

But then look at who is presently in the White House, and tell me you feel any confidence in their ability to manage delicate circumstances like we are all facing today.

I pray they won't do something stupid. I fear they will do something very, very stupid. I can only hope at least some of us survive whatever comes next.

I can't think of literally anything - including the abandonment of Afghanistan or the invasion of Iraq - that better illustrates the Bush Administration's willful damaging of American national security than outing Valerie Plame. Doubtless many will now ask themselves why should they risk their lives for a government that will make no effort to protect them or their collegues from the dangers inherent in intelligence work?

This leaves a dangerously void of dedicated and competent intelligence professionals, leaving only partisan or incompetent hacks in their place. How is any President from here on to trust the quality or accuracy of the the intelligence they receive? How many real threats to our nation go uninvestigated or are missed entirely while chimeras of "the anti-war left" and the like receive all the attention?

Truly, a most tragic legacy the Bush Administration has left us to live with. Here's hoping our children survive it.

For the actual leakers, that is. We can't legislate against sheer stupidity, so that lets the Washington punditry off.

But seriously, anyone know what kind of legal penalties can be imposed upon the original leakers should they ever be found?

You don't know shit you dumbfuck.

Present your credentials and maybe you'll be taken seriously. Otherwise we have to take it you're quoting from Robert Ludlum and John Le Carre.

Apparently, she doesn't fit the requirements to be legally considered covert. Darn. On the other hand she has told conflicting stories about her role in sending Wilson to Niger. Let's prosecute.

Please provide evidence and working links for each of these assertions.

Or please just shut it.

As always, IOKIYAD.

Evidence and relevant links, if you please?

Otherwise, please just shut it.

No one will ever confuse you with a "tough guy".

Gently there, L.W.M.. After all, he lives in New Jersey and by his own admission is still traumatized by 9/11. Certainly we can't expect him to have the moral courage to fight his imaginary enemies with anything more than words, none of which are his own creation anyway.

Besides no human being could seriously devalue life to the extent shooter claims to, at least not without major brain surgery.

Clearly we're dealing with a very broken soul who deserves our compassion and understanding. I mean, its not as if anyone here takes him seriously about anything.

From L.W.M.: Shooter is afraid of me and Hillary

Are we even remotely surprised as, again, the poor boy has admitted he's still traumatized from 9/11 (despite the fact he wasn't even in the City at the time of the attacks)? And that was nearly six years ago.

Just image how neurotic and broken he's become since realizing his role models aren't all that 'manly' or 'brave' as he'd imagined?

Poor kid. One almost feels sorry for him.

But not really.

Why didn't fitzgerald charge him? He knew he would never get a conviction for a "secret agent" was well known in any case throughout Washington.

Um, what are you talking about? Its already been established Mrs. Wilson's work at the CIA wasn't 'well known...throughout Washington'.

Greenwald and the rest of the ditto-heads - will you not give up this idiotic crusade? Maybe you could start going after Samuel Berger for his destruction of national security papers, but that wouldn't do would it?

Given Berger's transgression has already been dealt with, yet the original leakers of Mrs. Wilson's NOC are still at liberty?

And you idiots wonder why you're no longer trusted with important stuff like national security.

Which is why I (almost) never respond to trolls. Perhaps even more than sowing discord, their role is to distract?

Which is why I make it point that my own responses to them always refer back to the original topic while underlining their chronic and pitiable stupidity.

Hey, if these idiots want wear the virtual equivalent of a "Kick Me!" sign, they're in no position to complain when we oblige them. Personally I'd prefer using a Cricket Bat on them, but there are limits.