One thing I don't understand: wasn't Robert Gates touted as a Wise Man that would at least keep this sort of garbage under control?

Was he not confirmed post-haste by the Senate, in a fit of Broder-certified bipartisanship, amidst courteous bows to his "qualifications"? Was he not actually part of the Iraq Study Group, whose only memorable recommendation was that shunning diplomacy with Iran and Syria in particular was demented?

This is just plain madness.