From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

The rest of the quotes are fun:

"GATES: Senator, I am not giving up the presidency of Texas A&M,
the job that I've probably enjoyed more than any that I've ever had, making
considerable personal financial sacrifice, and, frankly, going through this
process, to come back to Washington to be a bump on a log, and not to say
exactly what I think, and to speak candidly, and, frankly, boldly, to
people at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue about what I believe and what I
think needs to be done. I intend to listen closely to people. I intend to
draw my own conclusions. And I'll make my recommendations. But I can assure
you that I don't owe anybody anything. And I've come back here to do the
best I can for the men and women in uniform, and for the country, in terms
of these difficult problems that we face."

Phew...

"But I can assure you that I don't owe anybody anything."

GW's Dad's realists are coming back. About bloody time.


"SEN. BYRD: Would you say that an attack on either Iran or Syria would
worsen the violence in Iraq and lead to greater American casualties?

MR. GATES: Yes, sir, I think that's very likely.

SEN. BYRD: Your answer is yes on both questions.

MR. GATES: Yes, sir. Very likely. "


Thank the lord, sanity appears to be making a welcome re-entrance to
American political life.

Adam

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