The Laughing Wolf

Arctic Frost Wash

Years ago, I used to get some custom-cut paper called arctic frost. In the day when you only sent white resumes and it was déclassé to use any form of colored stock for correspondence, I loved the frost. It wasn't white, but was so close as to make no difference, for just a small amount of grey was added to make it stand out. What the good Commissar calls a beigewash, I see as an arctic frost wash.

Yet, even though this is very true, the report is all the damning because it is a Washington-style report. Such reports, just like this one, will dance around like virgin in a miniskirt in a sailor's bar to avoid the obvious. While I have not read all of it, and may not have the chance to, what I have read says pay attention to the language. The language is damning because while it says many things can't be proven, it also very clearly states that those charges were not disproven.

Like many Washington-style reports, this one is allowing some people to exit gracefully, and may have even tapped someone to be the white knight. In the days and weeks ahead, it would not be surprising to see more changes take place, but in a context designed to let those people leave with some grace and cover. I have problems with some of this, but will live with it if the changes are made.

So far, only four low-level people have taken it in the neck on this. I find it most amusing that in a crowd that demands Rumsfeld's head when a soldier jaywalks and screams that accountability must go to the highest level, that such clearly does not apply to them. I find it unacceptable that no one senior has yet taken a hit over this. If such does not happen in any guise, then this has been a travesty of justice and of journalism.

We will see.

LW