I was trying to post this when I realized the 'cat had crashed this afternoon:

I have no problem with Rice being called Dr. Rice. In academia this is commonplace--someone with the Ph.D. is Doctor Rice; if she had a terminal degree other than a Ph.D. (such as an MFA or an architect) then she would be Professor Rice.

She burned up a lot of time arguing and providing her view of things when asked for a yes/no answer. Bob Kerrey was trying to get answers and asking her to be fair and not burn up his time with her protests to be allowed to give extensive "context," but she kept up anyway. There was clearly no recourse for the panel if she didn't want to just answer the questions. At one point Kerrey made a remark and the gallery started to applaud--his response was swift "Don't do that!" He didn't want to waste time with public approval or disapproval of his remarks. After making one pointed remark at the beginning (because he wouldn't have the opportunity to face her in any other context) he was all business, there to have questions answered. She was clearly there to spout the party line and not give an inch. The last question from the last person was such a softball, allowing her to have the last word to assure Americans that Dubya was there to protect all of them.

Leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

SRS