[Stentor]

Oh, I get it. It's a shoot the messenger thing with you.

If the messenger has an axe hidden behind his back, you're damn right.

[ambrose]

I've noticed that these critics seem to crawl out from under their rocks during a negative news cycle. Then when things go well, they quietly vanish. It is all so transparent.

I remember during the initial campaign, they were saying that 10s of thousands of our troops would die in battle with the "Elite Republican Guard". Then there were news cycles about Iraqi armored columns, our troops being bogged down, etc. Their negativity on the chat shows was to the extreme. Then when things went well, they turned to cheerleading.

In short, they're not acting as reasoned analysts weighing in after careful reflection. They are simply acting as a "play by play" color commentator, reacting only to the immediate events of the moment.

[churchillbuff]

If the messenger has an axe hidden behind his back, you're damn right.

I still don't understand what your problem is with Odem. He's a top, decorated US military man. Do you have something against the men who've devoted their lives to the uniform and the flag?

[Ohioan]

If the messenger has an axe hidden behind his back, you're damn right.

You seem to be trying to cast aspersions here, without committing yourself to an actual accusation of anything. That is pretty contemptible as a form of discussion participation, don't you think?

Nothing that you have posted has suggested that General Odom was part of the coverup of the Liberty incident; only that he gave evidence for the subsequent inquiry. Nor have you even explained what on earth you mean by the term "Arabist"; or against whom you think he is carrying an axe. He praised the efficiency of the War effort, his attack is on the protracted folly of our remaining in Iraq, which is a recruiting aid for our real enemy the international terrorists under Bin Laden.

Make some specific point or stop the innuendo. It does not contribute to an honest discussion.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site