Some of those intelligence reports produce when Pat Roberts was in charge are (practically) fiction...

This is a legitimate point. I don't think it applies to the Church Committee report, but then again, that's only my opinion. ;-}

I addressed the comment to you because when you posted about John McCain actively recruiting trolls to spew his talking points on blogs and awarding points for their “success,” I was struck by the contrast between the Repugs and us. As I was reading so many derisive and condemning comments about Obama, I couldn’t imagine the Repugs ever doing anything like that. Sure they would demagogue and smear with relish. But offer constructive and destructive criticism because of one vote by their candidate who was their one and only candidate for president, no way in hell would they do what many have done on this thread today.

I prefer to find the positive in any situation and others take different approaches. For those who are not just venting, but will hurt Obama’s chances in the fall so we can have four to eight more years of tragedy, they would do well to remind themselves every day of the differences.

It is beyond my ability to understand that after twice electing an insecure fighter pilot who refuses to listen and analyze and creates unnecessary horrors beyond imagination, that anyone would want to go through that again with another insecure fighter pilot who has little expertise in military operations or foreign affairs and only cares to get elected so he can finally believe that his father would be proud of him.

When you contrast that with a man who is extremely intelligent, who eagerly listens and learns from others and who has shown outstanding communications and leadership skills in the course of managing his campaign, who unlike Bush and McSame has lived with a single mother and absent father and limited resources, and succeeded beyond almost anyone’s imagination, how can anyone not vote for him. Those who say they won’t and actually won’t can only be called ignorant or very insecure.

When you contrast that with a man who is extremely intelligent, who eagerly listens and learns from others and who has shown outstanding communications and leadership skills in the course of managing his campaign, who unlike Bush and McSame has lived with a single mother and absent father and limited resources, and succeeded beyond almost anyone’s imagination, how can anyone not vote for him. Those who say they won’t and actually won’t can only be called ignorant or very insecure.

-- Retired Military Patriot

I think most people will come around, but messing with the constitution is serious business and keeping feet to the fire will be mandatory going forward. Maybe this is a good lesson all around - well, except for for the clueless troll who will never learn a thing. ;^)

The Bush administration yesterday invoked executive privilege and refused to turn over key documents sought by a House investigative committee, escalating a fight over the White House role in U.S. policy on greenhouse-gas emissions and ozone air quality standards.

Rep. Henry L. Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called off a threatened contempt of Congress vote against Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson and a White House budget official while congressional Democrats decide how to respond.

from miaculpa; click on sig

Don't know if you caught Bigger, Stronger, Faster,..documentary out now. Its about steroid use, and actually a lot more interesting than you'd think. Anyway, there's an interview with Waxman who had chaired the committee investigating steroid use in baseball. It was incredible--either Waxman was caught off guard, or the other media really go easy on politicians--in the space of five minutes, he revealed that he didn't know what the age of consent, or drinking was in his own state, that he knew nothing about steroids, and didn't care to, either. I suppose Waxman was under the impression that comments that made him look like an idiot would end up on the cutting room floor. It was actualy quite shocking...these people are running the affairs of our country (and in Waxman's case, exerting their moral indignation in our stead) but they don't even know if their kids are old enough to drink!!!

Oh, okay. I can go with your question about McCain's supporters on their own blogs. And, I can add this. Among the reasons you won't find ostensible Republicans ranting about McCain (like ostensible Democrats/honest conservatives/libertarians are ranting about Obama) at Hot Air, Red State, and the like is because they'd be banned. Where is our Burkean commenter Chris Dowd these days? He's written about it. Roles reversed, our current McCain recruited troll wouldn't survive five comments.

As for the outrage, irritation, and threats (which I hope become more rhetorical than real over time), please imagine the level of outrage if Hillary Clinton were in Obama's shoes. Now, for the record, I stayed on the fence when Edwards went out - I got no dog in the fight between Clinton and Obama. But, please, I find Hillary equally verbally adept, equally intelligent, listens and learns from others, yada, yada, yada... So, tell me this RMP, if it were Hillary making Obama's statements on FISA today, would you still be as sang froid?

As for the folks you characterize thusly:

Those who say they won’t [vote for Obama] and actually won’t [vote for Obama] can only be called ignorant or very insecure.

Time out, Sir. With all due respect... People are entitled to their feelings. And, in the heat of the moment, I'm willing to afford that folks can say all kinds of things. I'm willing to wait - right up to November first - to see how these same people feel then. I get the angst. Just once, I personally would like to have the luxury of voting enthusiastically FOR a candidate, rather than AGAINST that candidate's opponent. You, Sir, seem to be enjoying that luxury. I am sincerely pleased for you. It has to be a wonderful feeling. You, however, could be encouraged to show a little charity to those of us who aren't having your experience.

Love you, RMP. You know that, too. Peace to us both at this trying moment in time.