Endeavor to endeavor, says Gen. Petraeus.

And what is the Endeavor that we endeavor to do in Iraq, you may ask?

Gen. Patraeus explains (interviewed by someone Other Than Glenn [they don't like Glenn much, evidently.] talking above the chopper noise on the battlefield circulations - but not exactly face-to-face):

- (On how his PhD in international relations has helped in Iraq) "Out of the intellectual comfort zone experiences and in many cases that's the kind of endeavor this is, ..."

- "I will not say I am an optimist or a pessimist, I am a realist. And I have a very realistic appraisal of the challenges...the enormous difficulties that face this country in our endeavor."

- (on Maliki relationship) "Well, I think it's important in a hugely important endeavor"

- (on Al Qaeda/enemy) "the enemy in Iraq is ...very, very complex...And so again, this is a very, very challenging endeavor."

...

Interestingly, there was no reference to the "central front in the global war on terrorism" in our endeavor? Not one.

He did mention, off topic, that the 'surge' has helped the Liberation success! If I were a sarcastic person ... oh, never mind.

Well, I have a few questions for the Gen. (with that 'fine pedigree') myself, Glenn:

1. What is the reason we are in Iraq Gen.?

2. Yes, I realize it's quite an endeavor, but again, in your REAlistic appraisal, what is the reason we are in Iraq?

3. Finally, What is the reason we are in Iraq?

OT: My Favorability ratings:

- the MS> media should re-incorporate as a LLP (limited liability partnership).

- The Woodrow Wilson School of International Diplomacy should reconsider their graduation criteria...and the entire faculty of Harvard MBA program should go on a long, extended sabbatical.

- Please support my optimistic endeavors in southern France and northern Italy this summer. Don't cost very much, but lasts a long time. ty, in advance.

Endeavor to perservere.

Sincerely,

bah.

or all that funny math (Plan X,Y,Z.), neither.

O'Hanlon... I wouldn't let O'Hanlon walk my dog, much less have any thing to do with foreign policy.

Ruler of a small country,

Bah.

ps. Just wait til Sept. if you want to see some sweet talk.

pps. I was trying to read your lastest while watching the family feud on Meet Tim Russert Show (Tim's on vacation, alas). Herald Ford Jr. was on arguing with the Yearly Kos dude. They were cute too, but disconcerting.

Russia has quite a few ICBMs/wmd pointed directly at the US and their finger is on the trigger!

In todays world(21st century), more than ever, national unilateral, pre-emptive use of force is essentially unjustifiable. I suppose that [[[if]]] the 9/11 hijackers had flown from Baghdad's airport under direct orders from Saddam there Might have been reasonable Cause/Justification to Consult with other Nations, in Our Community of Nations, on What to Do, Collectively, about the Problem. In fact, I think that is still the...um, metrics.

Other than that, this [was] a job for james...james bond, secret agent 007 ...and interpol.

good day,

bah.

(Of course, I was trying to love the lord ... but bare nakid ladies kept walking in.)

much ado, :

bah.

and Paul revered his horse... a real whirling dervish. Come: 'let us scatter these roses, let us pour out this wine...' so to make a new design.

As *Hafiz would say: "And empty purse, but in our sleeve a hoard" (*Shamsu'd-Din Muhammad, ca.1389 AD, One of the greatest Persian poets.)

'For the infidel, error - for the faithful, faith,

For Attar's heart, an atom of Thy pain.'

...

polytricks of politics,

bah.

"...I explained that what I meant by that phrase "public opinions" was 'published' opinions, opinions spread broadcast in print. I said I was in the common habit, in private conversation with friends, of revealing every private opinion I possessed relating to religion, politics and men, but that I should never dream of 'printing' one of them, because they are individually and collectively at war with almost everybody's public opinion while at the same time they are in happy agreement with almost everybody's private opinion. As an instance, I asked her if she had ever encountered an intelligent person who privately believed in the Immaculate Conception* --- which of course she hadn't; and I also asked her if she had ever seen an intelligent person who was daring enough to publicly deny his belief in that fable and print the denial. Of course she hadn't encountered any such person."

[*editor's note: Throughout Mark Twain's writing, he confuses the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception with that of the Virgin Birth of Christ. (DeVoto.)]

I think this is the gospel truth, Glenn. In private, I am (mostly) oppossed to Immaculate Conception whilest in public I fail to see the benefit of printing such a denial?

:ot, I hope o bebop catches a love-bug tonight!. ye... (...'physicians have no medicine for one sick of love, unless the favor of the beloved one deliver him.')

ah choo, (bless you)

bahhummingbug