Philip Bobbitt has created a scheme of history wherein there is a succsession of types of states similar to a succession of types of forests, and that the next type of state he sees coming our way is the "Market State." When you winnow out the particularitys of this state--secretiveness, ability to ignore the niceties of the democratic republic, then current, like following the law, etc.--you find the United States as redefined by George W. Bush.

Running and winning are two different things...

Petreaus has a charmed life; some other General is going to bear the brunt of the realization that The Surge has brought no lasting benefit, only mired us more deeply in Iraq.

Well, can we reasonably expect a dem President to relieve Petreaus of command (and his likely resignation) soon after taking office thus sending a long overdue message about the direction, conduct, and mistakes of US foreign/military policy?

Even if Petreaus is interpreted as a mere functionary, a technocrat if you will, changes in course need to be reflected by changes in personnel closely identified with failed policies. We outsiders all have been led to believe he is far more; the architect/collaborator perhaps

I can't think of a more urgent instance.

Amazing. Have your mitts on the worst foreign policy debacle in the history of the United States, with your head firmly implanted in the ass of the worst president in the history of the United States, and you're considered future Presidential material.

Sorry, but if we gotta put an ex-general in the driver's seat, can't we at least pick one thats been RIGHT about something? How about Shinseki?

If not, lets go all out, and put Capt. Kangaroo in charge. And the best part is, he's already dead. I mean hey, how much damage could he do?

And come to think of it, if we gotta pick a fighter pilot to captain the Oval Office, can we at least pick one that was competent enough to avoid getting shot down?

Petraeus is far from a mere functionary. He has successfully parlayed a losing stint as an Iraqi trainer and a presidential campaign Op-Ed writer into his new persona as a visionary leader of US imperial armies at a time when the US is supposedly threatened on all sides by fanatical Islamic fundamentalists. What eager politician of either major party could resist hitching his wagon to this star? None, I imagine.

Ye of little faith!!!! MOre anglo folks waling around and spouting BS. No support for the war or radical civil rights, but will go all out to save the planet and kill abortion doctors. Give me a break!!!

So, its irrelevant to Petraeus makatability that he is associated with strategic disaster? We're talking mass amnesia and hoodwinking here.

Forgive me, I tend to underestimate the poser of media hpe and the fickleness of the American public.

Josh Marshall recommended a book several years ago: "Caesar: Life of a Colossus", which I read. I am constantly surprised at the parallels between that Rome and current ruthlessness, misdirection, and complete control of the public dialogue that these militarists had.

Petraeus even has a roman sounding name.

We need an alternative to this mindset of an empire going downhill that can do nothing but start more wars to divert the people.

A blue eyed Petraeus, to head the command of the CENTCOM, may be a good omen to both the Pentagon's and the White House Officials, yet the challenges that he has to confront in Iraq will not be so simple and easy to be fullfilled.