Let one more name be tossed into the hopper. General John Abizaid, who has announced his retirement from active duty and is leaving his post as commander of the US forces in Iraq. Abizaid was born in the United States to a Christian Lebanese-American family, is fluent in Arabic, and is the most senior military officer of direct Arab descent. The name Abizaid means father of Zaid in Arabic. He was raised mostly by his widowed father. He studied Arabic in Jordan, where he received special forces training. He started a program to put Arabic speakers on a fast track for promotions. A graduate of West Point, he is vastly more qualified in military affairs than that great white knight raised by the Democrats during the previous Presidential election cycle, Wesley Clark. And apparently, military competence is a widely desired trait in our civilian leadership. Or it should be.