[AndyJackson]

If it was the first ... if it was the second

The problem is that the adults who are supposed to be in charge left a rather important decision to "the system." The Congress has now reminded them that they are in charge and personally accountable - not some mindless system. This is not untoward political interference. It is the political system asking the officers in charge to stand up and be counted. A lot of folks around here apparently think it the manly think is to slink off and let the military bureucracy do its mindless paper shuffle and unmanly to have to explain what is going on and why you made the decisions you made.

[mdmathis6]

oh don't me wrong...andy,,,I approve of the fact that congress is looking at the situation! I'm glad of it...and if West is guilty then he needs the appropriate discipline.
I fear in our Republic, how our civilian Government handles the military is much like how a snake charmer handles a cobra , by gentle motions and vibrations, by understanding its rythms, a cobra remains daized, hypnotically locked in that veil of indecision between biting or escape. God help us should our military ever bite us, pray the "charmers" of the congress handle this situation well!