Thanks A.L. ... I like your writing and take on this. I believe two things are possibly happening in the background that explains a couple things:

1> Obama wanted to see what Hillary would do before acting ... so he could lever a possible left-inflaming mistake on her part. For him, I imagine, he would have preferred a vote on this bill ... so that HC could have voted for this, and he could further differentiate. I think his initial silence makes sense in this context ... at least to me.

2> I realize it's conspiracy-theory b.s. ... but ... why wouldn't Rove et al order intelligence be gathered on Democratic senators & others (Nixon basically did it, why wouldn't Bush). I think Dem support is good old fashioned blackmail ... in some form or another.

I just want to share my appreciation of Pam and Glenn to engage in the commentary here. I think it takes real moxy to put oneself out there as a regular blogger, as they both do. The vitriol from some of the readership must be a real pain in the ass. This is Glenn's home turf, so it seems most don't attack or try to out-argue him. Pam, on the other hand, deserves a round of applause I think. I didn't agree with the Obama post ... but I appreciate the discourse. I will plan to see this film, too.

http://sfist.com/2007/10/25/larry_craig_had.php

... yes, Hillary is smart. So are others ... perhaps not as much. It is refreshing to see a smart, capable woman stand on her merits and seize her opportunities ... to command respect in such a historical way. She is, though, like many other powerful people ... and most often men in positions of great power ... (I believe) at her core very insecure, capable of great manipulation, and not someone I inherently trust. At all. I feel I "know" her well enough to know this. W is far, far worse in this regard ... he looks pitiful to me. She has genuine skill and ability. But her desire for power is 100% about herself and her achievements ... and I want and deserve a true leader who can change our direction radically. If we don't do the real right thing soon, things will get much worse.

Col. Steven A. Boylan, US Army = a blackout alcoholic. Or, at least kookoo.

Howdy LW ... just some thoughts from a psychotherapist(I'm not not MD) here ... a lot of times when people drink to the point of blacking out, they drink daily or almost daily. These people are at risk for physical withdrawl from alcohol. They may need medical intervention to insure they don't die when they stop drinking cold turkey. Dying in this situation is rare, but it can happen ... especially when the person drinking has a history of seizures, head injury, liver problems, or other illnesses. It's also more complicated if other drugs are in the mix, especially benzodiazepines ... like xanax or valium (most "mmm ... this feels good" anti-anxiety meds). This is what "detox" is ... "detox" is not rehab. "Detox" clears a person medically to begin the process of recovery. Don't tell anyone to just stop without consulting with a doctor.

The "here" of "My goal is not to have him fired, or disciplined or anything else (in comments yesterday, Che Pasa asked a similar question and my reply is here)." links to Che Pasa's question.

Great, great work.

I believe you are missing the point re: Hillary's "hawkishness" and your claim that this will help get elected. I believe a responsible voter ... especially a Democrat (where one would assume left-leaning tendancies) should consider if "hawkishness" is right for this country and this world and our children. I think it is not ... and Hillary's mushy policies that are based mostly on polling data than real leadership is the point the "men" were making about her questionable capacity to be president.

I find it repugnant to consider the "best" candidate to be defined as the one who can outwit, outplay and outlast all others. This should be a evaluation of leadership, not of political cunning. Yes, political skill is required, but isn't candor, evoking trust, inspiring respect around the world, working to make this country better ... don't these things count? I cannot fathom how folks who claim these values can support HRC. Yes, she "won't screw up as bad as Bush" ... or perhaps as bad as any Republican. This is not a reason to vote for her. In protest I will likely give mine to the Obama/Edwards independant ticket, if the HRC train arrives post-primaries. Yes, it will probably result in a Repub. getting elected, but it will send a strong message to the Dem leadership to actually stand up for something they believe in and not play this idiotic reality tv game. As evil as George et al are, at least they can do this.

... they likely have problems with alcohol.

Stats:

- Rates of binge alcohol use (4= drinks for women/5+ drinks for men) in 2006 were 1.5 percent among 12 or 13 year olds, 8.9 percent among 14 or 15 year olds, 20.0 percent among 16 or 17 year olds, 36.2 percent among persons aged 18 to 20, and 46.1 percent among those aged 21 to 25. The rate peaked at ages 21 to 23 (49.3 percent at age 21, 48.9 percent at age 22, and 47.2 percent at age 23), then decreased beyond young adulthood from 34.2 percent of 26 to 34 year olds to 18.4 percent of persons aged 35 or older.

- In 2006, 57.0 percent of males aged 12 or older were current drinkers, higher than the rate for females (45.2 percent). However, among youths aged 12 to 17, the percentage of males who were current drinkers (16.3 percent) was similar to the rate for females (17.0 percent).

- Among adults aged 18 to 25, an estimated 57.9 percent of females and 65.9 percent of males reported current drinking in 2006. The 2006 rate among females aged 18 to 25 is higher than the 2005 rate of 55.4 percent.

See http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k6NSDUH/2k6results.cfm#Ch3