I agree with Austinengineer.

War is a failure of diplomacy and, yet, this country seems more than willing to leap immediately toward that "solution."

Bushco has wrecked our diplomatic standing in the world, and it will take decades to repair, if not longer.

Lately, our "diplomacy" seems to be excusing our wars and bullying for "coalitions of the willing" [increasingly few].

Amazing is that recent history demonstrates that we are not very good at winning the peace (if not the war), and seldom realize our war objectives. Consider Korea, Vietnam, Afganistan,Iraq...

Why should serious foreign policy "experts" continue to recommend a clearly failed policy?

And blithely advocating the nuclear option for terrorists (who by their nature cloak themselves among innocent civilians) should immediately qualify anyone with such an opinion for the funny farm, NOT public office!

I just agreed to a whistle-blower settlement with DOI. The saga extended over a year and the real wrong-doers still hold their federal office despite malfeasance and misfeasance. I exposed fraud and violations of federal environmental law (http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=802). I was called a "subversive." in official correspondence. My wife, a temporary clerk with the same agency was fired for no cause with less than a day's notice. Retaliation, clear and venile.

The violations of law I witnessed were appalling, and I saw public money, millions, going to benefit a few wealthy individuals. Example: why did the Bureau of Reclamation dredge a new private boat marina in Nevada (Colorado River) with public funds in 2001-2002? Why are they today planning to redredge it at the demand of the resort owners? Could political contributions be involved?

That Bush opposes reform fits his desire to destroy government and US law, especially the hated environmental regulations.

Thanks again for this great analysis! Where are some real leaders?

We are failed by our elected representatives and the 4th estate, how sad. The crime of the century would be that this administration gets to keep corporate telecom complicity in illegal spying on citizens a secret. History demands the truth.

Marty Lederman has some false FISA claims analysis also, at http://balkin.blogspot.com/

My congress woman is no help....from Heather Wilson Website:

Wilson Statement on FISA Agreement June 18, 2008

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM) today made the following statement on the pending agreement on reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA):

“We appear to have an agreement with Majority Leader Hoyer on FISA.

“We will see this week whether pro-defense Democrats can prevail over the far left members of their own party and allow the bill to come to the floor for a vote. I hope common sense will prevail so that we can close this intelligence gap.”

I phoned the Obama campaign, got nothing but full voicemail. Very frustrating!!!

Comments on Marcy Wheeler's post, cited above, demonstrate no license by Maryland of Ms. Duley. Other comments bear on her conduct, legal problems and the likely fact that she was not a professional.

Would the FBI have approached this kind of hack to get the damning statements they wanted.

Glenn is correct, this was a pivotal propaganda piece that led us to war on terra. The public should hear the real truth and only congress can investigate. The people, and justice, demand it.

Government bioweapon used on US citizens, immediate spin to implicate Iraq, horribly botched investigation, two cases (now) of trial by anonymous government leaks, and one execution by intimidation. And what was Sen. Pat Leahy saying to Mukasey during that hearing re: Anthrax and the FBI???

B.

1. They worked at Ft. Detrick in the lab (access to raw anthrax).

2. They were anti-Arab and harrassed a co-worker based on religion and national origin. >>> Not afraid to ruin a life.

3. Could their beliefs and loyalties (however wrong) have led to a domestic terror attack on perceived liberals? e.g. ruin more lives (death).

4. Make the attack seem to come from Islamists (the letters).

Motive, means, opportunity.

FBI release the results of the swab analysis from Ivin’s house, vehicles, and other places not Ft. Detrick.

Any anthrax found?

Show evidence that others (10 or more) with access to that lab can be eliminated from suspicion, and why

1. Was anyone else in the lab late when Dr. Ivins was? What was access pattern of the other users of the lab?

2. Was anthrax found on any of the swabs, vacuum filters, or other samples taken from his car, house, shed, yard...etc?

3. Any evidence of supply usage from lab inventory that would be unaccounted for, or explained by late night brewing of anthrax (e.g. growth media, etc.) This was secure facility, did they keep track?

4. Culture takes days, couldn't someone have seen that in process during business hours?

I agree, interesting to see the warrant support for the other suspect, since cleared (and rich).

Government produced anthrax kills a few liberuls, collateral damage to postal workers.

Anthrax threat used to hype war with Iraq, stampede congress and public to fear.

Scapegoat found, hounded to death. Case solved!

Move on, nothing to see here....

Federally coordinated, massive police presence. Aerial surveilance and coordination of "troops." Blinding and gagging the independent media, arrest and detention of press and legal aid. Mass detentions and "pre-emptive strikes."

This is practice for the Putsch: the illegal and violent takeover of the federal government and this country by those who do not want to lose power.

How many predator drones or global hawks are circling St. Paul?

Wonder why my letter didn't appear a while ago?

Federally coordinated multi-agency police crackdown with federal presence, aerial coordination of troop responses, "fusion centers", mass arrests, pre-emptive strikes, arrest and detention of press, massive federal aid for repressive police plan....

This a dress rehearsal for the coming Putsch: the unlawful, violent takeover of our government and country by those presently in power.

It can happen here.

Oh yeah:

How many Predator and Global Hawk drones overhead???

Paging Michael Chertoff....