You won't believe this. And I'll try to type long enough to get it out of the heading. There are many books about the Bush-Cheney plans and implementation of the Iraq - Afghan affairs. Woodward, Clarke, and others. I've read every one I could get my hands on, probably 10 total.

I suggested to TB he read one, Clarke's I believe. "Against All Enemies". Clarke first worked for Reagan, then GHWB, then Clinton and continued into GWB's administration. A distinguished guy.

TBs response to reading a book was, "I don't need anyone else telling me how to think."

That took me completely by surprise. How a nice guy, reasonable in many ways and areas, could regard reading a book, learning another's view on matters and information to which he may have been privy, could have been regarded that way was a shock.

And then I realized it has happened to me. Reading about issues has changed my opinion on them. The American government's attitude toward MIA-POWs is one.

So the idea of avoiding information which may conflict with preconceived notions is a superb, and guaranteed to protect those stands.