Sitting here in the Sierras, in a hut at 8500 feet trying to acclimatize, I just finiahed 'State of Denial' by Carl Woodward. I recommend it for anyone who would like to understand better the principals and the processes involved in the Iraq situation from prior to 9-11 up to just before the 2006 election.
Woodward doesn't seem to have an axe to grind - people and papers speak for themselves. What he does is provide context and continuity.
Surprisingly, from my perspective, no one calls Bush stupid or Condi a lying syncophant. I may have to rethink those folks a bit.
At least I think I understand the situation a whole lot better.
(And I'm not acclimatizing well. I may head home, lose weight and try it again next year if I can get scrawny!)
Arf