The quotes around "detailed" probably indicate that this was the Pentagon's choice of words in characterizing the drill.

I have an adequate understanding of the meaning of words, I believe, to make inferences or draw conclusions from the use of this word "detailed," the central meaning of which (according, once again, to my big ol' dictionary, which is a standard reference, btw) is "marked by attention to detail," and "characterized by abundant use of detail or thoroughness of treatment."

Again, if you want to get bogged down in semantics, feel free, but most rational, educated people, I submit, would understand that a "detailed" emergency drill over the course of three days "probably" (my word) would have required the participation in or awareness of the drill by all or most hands at the military nerve center.

At any rate, the exact meaning of this term in the context of the current discussion, or the number of pentagon staff taking part is essentially irrelevant.

The relevancy of these emergency drills to the attacks of 9-11 resides in the fact that defense officials cannot now claim that they were unaware that this kind of attack could take place.

sp