Getting OUT of iraq is going to be brutal and take time ... no matter how much sooner or later is involved. No course of action will be without deserved criticism ... that's life ... that's reality ... I also think a number of domestic issues may well come roaring back to life -- crime seems to be trending upward, gang problems are unabated -- I see fire next time -- and I see no reason for the economy to magically flourish ...

The person who wins this next election will also need to govern ... and lead ... and "sell" America on sticking with them ... Imho, Hillary is just not the right person ...

It's not just about winning -- having the wrong Democratic President for the next 4-8-10 years is a scary thought too.

since those are its main competitors, no? there likely are advantages at having separate components for those who want to do three things at once or "superuser" type .... how do those concerns parse out?

The price appears "more" reasonable and certainly portability is always a good thing (even if it means someone can simply palm your new toy -- what's required to re-configure for some "new" user"?)

I couldn't even get the pay-as-you-go cell phone I bought a few years ago to "dial" ... and then the 30 minutes I had bought expired and I decided that for once or twice a year REALLY BAD WEATHER, keeping track of such a device was hardly practical in a region where signals are iffy. (Rocky Mountains 9000 feet)

Actually, I want DSL more ... but it does look cool and might replace a Blackberry on my wishlist.

apparently working in the area of controlling WMD (the irony that Wilson's trip weakened the case for Saddam's WMD arsenal, the raison d'etre of our invasion must not ve lost) -- aside from that being AGAINST THE LAW ...

the Executive Branch trashed what I would guess was millions of dollars of anti-WMD intelligence apparatus and connections.

I would guess that Plame's european counterparts, for instance, take lightly the prospect of having their own existence, much less covert status, so breeched as part of petty POLITICAL payback .....

Wilson's article, as I recall it, was not POLITICAL ... Team Cheney were furious because they had been caught out in a LIE -- a non-political lie (What can you say about someone who keeps insisting the Prague-Mohammed Atta "meet" took place years YEARS after it was debunked ????)

Anyhow, I want restitution made for my tax dollars squandered by the Executive Branch in outing Plame, in breaking the law, in warranting Fitzgerald's investigation ... and that's just for starters ...

then we can talk about the missing BILLIONS IN TAX DOLLAR lost in Iraq which their mismanagement cannot account for.

Once again, I'm so proud to be an American.

Thanks George.

Actually, I'm wondering how this is playing abroad and what sorta behind closed doors reception Bush is likely to get ... it's really pretty pathetic when you bail out your cronies minutes before their cell doors were gonna close ... bad crisis management ... bad "dirty tricks" ... If you're gonna do something like this, don't leave footprints, fingerprints all over the placed.

Wonder how GHW Bush took the news ... oh, and Tenet.

I've heard this story that Plame was outed to "discredit" Wilson ... but I find myself wondering more if Plame was outed as a warning to Plame, and Wilson and anyone else who might have something to say, as in, "Yes, we really are this ruthless." Can't wait for Plame's book ... but, afaik, Plame and Wilson are duty-bound to maintain "security" and any even suggestion of "loose lips" could ruin the rest of their lives ... if you know what I mean.

you aren't comparing being involuntarily "outed" to voluntarily (under mutually agreed upon parameters) sharing your story with Vanity Fair?

I'm not sure exactly who would be "gunning for" Wilson/Plame except Bush-Cheney-neocon fanatics.... oops.

actually as a warning ... "don't fuck with me or I'll make you a household name, endanger your spouse (and family) and end her career" is probably pretty effective.

y'think?

there's the "obstruction of justice" by the executive branch ....

and the grossly manipulative and self-serving (and obstructionist) nature of the "commutation" versus a simple pardon ...

... there's half-assed rationalizations regarding excessive jail time by an administration which has opposed judicial sentencing consideration of exactly these sorts of mitigating factor.

This is commutation is almost lackidaisical in it's lack of foundation ... oh, and Libby apparently never requested it ... another peculiarity ...

It's as if Bush were reluctantly acquiesing to Cheney's demand -- rather like a resentful teenager -- with a sneer and a smirk -- not even trying to put a grown-up "good face" on it, transparently, with attitude "going through the motions" because who's gonna stop the annointed decider?

Cheney's control over Bush has NEVER been so apparent.

There's simply no way to rationally reconcile and it looks worse and worse on further examination -- history will not be kind.