Guest, Larry:

I was the one who left the earlier update message of the FOX 'revelatory' tapes (wasn't logged in). I have also just watched Mr. Clarke's testimony before congress and I found him very forthright and a truly excellent communicator. I think you are perhaps overly primed to discredit him with these partial recordings which FOX has produced.

1) When he was interviewed, he was a member of the Bush Administration, and it is consistent with such a position that you present your employer, your 'team' in the best light possible and confine your critique in-house.

2) Apparently the newly revealed tapes are from 'background' which means there was an understanding when they were made that they were NOT for public airing but were a kind of 'aide-memoire' for the interviewers.

I was really impressed by Clarke who has a comparable presence and solidity to the impression given by Cheney, who whatever he says and whether you believe it or not, agree with it or not, gives an impression of sobriety and intelligence.


I haven't found Congressional hearings so riveting since the days of Ollie 'I shredded' North.