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I know how frustrated and deeply disappointed you are that things are very much on the up and up in Iraq, and I would bet some dinars that deep inside you have quietly (or otherwise) rejoiced in every setback and difficulty along the way.

Your assessment of the op ed piece is totally incorrect, as was the NY Times' explanation totally absurd. I know it must be doubly frustrating for you that any opinions that go counter to your own are ever allowed to see the light of day. "It is so unfair!"

Also, dear friend, I have no idea what your party affiliation is, but I can tell you that I am not a Republican. I will add though that I am generally strongly anti-Democratic Party. Your comment saying "it is not in The Times' or Senator McCain's, best interest to publish drivel, nonsense and partisan hackery" is a true classic!

No hard feelings though. I always enjoy your postings and comments here as they are at least civil.

John, my dear Republican Friend,
I do not think you are so naive as to believe that we are still in Iraq because General Petreus wants us to be there. "Listening to the Generals on the ground" is just another ruse played by the current administration . The Generals have no control over policy. We have civilian control in this country.
As for the New York Times, unlike Fox News, the editorial page does not just publish any drivel and it is not in The Times' or Senator McCain's, best interest to publish drivel, nonsense and partisan hackery.

You say "The New York Times is simply asking for a plan - ... or (not) even truthful - Just some kind of plan that we, Americans, can use to evaluate his position on Iraq and Afghanistan." WOW ... sounds like an Obama plan.

We know that he (McCain) expects most troops to be out by the end of a first term and when they actually are drawn out relative to that target will depend on actual situations (conditions on the ground) in the country.

Obama says he will listen to commanders there to determine the situation but will impose a rigid timetable. This is a contradiction. You cannot do both.

More importantly, it is totally unwise to advertise actual specific plans to the enemy both overseas and at home since they can schedule their malicious plans accordingly. The Times is being totally disingenuous by its behavior in this matter. If McCain's op ed is really so lame as you say, they should be happy to publish it and not feel so insulting to their readers' ability to determine the obvious for themselves.

I am concerned that anyone can read Senator McCain's article and come away with a positive assessment. It is nothing but drivel. This "conditions on the ground" nonsense must stop. The phrase is totally meaningless. The New York Times is simply asking for a plan - it doesn't have to be NEW, Original or even truthful - Just some kind of plan that we, Americans, can use to evaluate his position on Iraq and Afganistan. The problem is that Senator McCain has no plan.

"A partial withdrawal has already occurred with the departure of five “surge” brigades..."

Why isn't this news?
Headline: BUSH WITHDRAWS SURGE TROOPS

"I have said that I expect to welcome home most of our troops from Iraq by the end of my first term in office, in 2013."

Is this a realistic assessment or a timetable?

"But I have also said that any draw-downs must be based on a realistic assessment of conditions on the ground, not on an artificial timetable crafted for domestic political reasons. This is the crux of my disagreement with Senator Obama"

Essentially, a principle vs politics decision. I disagree with McCain on several issues, but his manner of presenting his ideas is calm, confident, intelligent and concise. I appreciate his style of delivery as opposed to the not-so-articulate Bush and Obama's emotion-filled rhetoric.

as I am pondering this new blog I am working on while I unpack...

I heard about this and I too was outraged. McCain is getting the raw deal here and has been. I didn't go to the links you provided yet as time is short, but because of my familiarity with this topic I have to say that whether I would vote for McCain or not is not the issue, he should have the right to free speech and be able to act accordingly.In all fairness he should be able to write how he feels and it should be published NOT edited to what THEY want it to say and have it politically wrapped in Obama.

I am getting so fed up at this point with all of this and I feel so powerless to the way this system is NOT working on ANY level, that I am almost ready to throw my hands up and say? Say what? What can I say that would make a difference? Anyone????

This election is like a freak show and another form of reality entertainment at best.

How can I take this seriously when stuff like this goes on. John, you are right. Complete arrogance.