Good Going! This is the type of straight answer we need and I'm glad you didn't give up until you got one Glenn.

Now to find a journalist. Any journalist? Are there any real ones left? With some degree of guts, credibility and an editor that will let them run this story no matter how it turns out?

Is there one that we could all jointly pester *nicely* of course, to pursue this story?

You would think we would know a war-monger when we see one by now. Mc'Cain's ebullient singing about bombing Iran is just about the biggest 2x4 upside the head clue for the clueless. This man gets off on war. Duh. I hope that the Dems use that video clip in a lot of commercials in the fall campaign. Is it possible that not everyone in the country has seen it? That plus the "100 years in Iraq" quote, and it should be crystal clear. This man as president would ensure that our country would continue to be focused on engaging in more and more wars around the globe.

For even more on McCain and the "McCain Doctrine" go read this great article in the American Prospect: http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_mccain_doctrine

Has Speaker Pelosi commented on this yet? It seems like an effort such as this really would undercut everything she had worked for on the FISA issue. I remember being really surprised and pleased at how she managed the House on FISA. Is there some lingering resentment over who was voted into which job in the House when the Dems took over? Could Hoyer be using this as a power play of some kind to force Pelosi out?

It was insidious wasn't it? I just couldn't stop watching that game. And yes I'm rather tired today as a result. But it seemed the least a fan could do since the Sharks (and Stars) were out there practically killing themselves with the effort. I was impressed with both goalies, and I hope the Sharks go further in the playoffs next season.

I'd like to hear more about Marine Gen. Paul Van Riper.

He figured out how to win, and win big in these wargames. His strategies sound to me exactly do-able, probable and not too surprising for Iran to carry out if we invade. Iran doesn't have much of a military really (compared to ours), and it seems to me he had the right tactics to win against us. And all the Pentagon did was to change the rules of the game?!?! Too bad we can't do this in the real world. If this is how we're planning for the invasion of Iran, we'e going to be more frelled than I thought we'd be.

Would he correspond with you Glenn?

I thought that the Republican ethos supposedly turned on "taking responsibility for one's actions." Guess that doesn't apply here, there must be some corollary to the rule I don't know about. I would assume they want me to take responsbility for my actions though. That is what rankles the most, these guys can't just come out and be intellectually honest with themselves (or their readers). "Yes, we reached the wrong conclusion, the Iraq war was a mistake, we're really sorry and will try to help figure out a way to salvage the situation we have brought about." Something that we'll never hear from these people, they are exactly that self-deluded and dishonest with themselves.

Great article on a really distressing topic. The decision is being made right now, this very week, so if you are interested there is still time to make your voice heard.

From Sylvia Fallon at NRDC: "For those who are interested in contributing to our efforts, we agree that letter writing in the form of opinion pieces or letters to the editor of local and regional papers is a good way to start a public dialogue. You can also write a letter to the Department of Interior in support of our petition to revise recovery plans for gray wolves. And, of course, supporting environmental organizations that are working for the causes that you care about is another positive way to contribute." Link to the 40 page .pdf document of the NRDC petition by clicking my screen name. It is really thorough and quite clear reading, even by a non-research-biologist.

Mailing Address:

Department of the Interior

1849 C Street, N.W.

Washington DC 20240

Phone: 202-208-3100

Matilda,

Spirited Away,

Arabian Nights (the year 2000 miniseries version with John Leguizamo as the genie in the lamp.)

Old Musicals the campier the better, (my kids were hooked on Fiddler on the Roof for a while)

Any of the original Godzilla movies.

Buster Keaton's "The General", especially for kids who love trains.

Old TV shows on DVD: Flash Gordon, Dr. Who (the really old ones are a hoot), Brisco County Jr.