Just a quick commentary on last night's speech. I haven't read any of the general reaction yet, but I suspect it will be similiar to what I saw.

I watched PBS for the speech and analysis/reaction afterward. The speech itself was as expected ..... nothing new. The details have been hashed over for weeks. The analysis on The Lehrer NewHour was provided by Senator Thune, Senator Webb, General Trainor, General Odom and Shields and Brooks.

I have never seen a speech received with such pessimism. No one, and I mean not a single one, of the analyst was positive. Thune did the best he could while remaining non-committal. Odom and Trainor were thoroughly negative, easily shooting all kinds of holes in the speech. General Odom, former NSA head, was particularly well honed in his attacks on the Bush strategy and complexities of the region. Even David Brooks looked like a beat dog. Jim Lehrer occasionally attempted to lighten the mood a bit, but each time was met with bowed heads, muted responses and negative assessments.

All in all, it looked like the discussion of an old friend at his funeral. Unfortunately, the funerals are in the future as this country moves into an escalation of conflict that will likely result in an attack on Iran by March.

So sad, so unfortunate, so unnecessary.