"The critics of US policy have never been able to provide this reconciliation"

Just a point: to prove what the admin knew, when they knew and how much they knew would require, practically, a criminal investigation- as this stuff isn't exactly open source. So short of such a criminal investigation being launched, with the standards you have set, I doubt you will need to adjust your stance.

"An interesting question that comes to mind is this: Since when has the left last demonstrated symmetrical, dependable ethical behavior? "

If you read what I said carefully, you will find that I am essentially saying: "those who matter, those who are not discountables, will move on this topic when a conclusion of incompetence or dishonesty becomes unavoidable".

My point is about the dependability of those who are principled politically, not about groups who espouse one set political principles or another. I have as much faith in the honest left as I do in the honest right.

One of the 'planks' that define the basis of the right is emphasis on personal accountability. Thise who are principled in their beliefs will see this as not a 'I don't care' sort of thing. In fact, I don't think the '6-of-one-half-a-dozen-of-the-other' mouthing from the partisan discountables is even a morally defensible position, much less one founded on reason or following from conservative principles.

Davin L.