The "I don' t recall" syndrome seems to be universal and party-neutral. I heard the same from the latest batch of appointees regarding their tax status as well. It seems to go with all of them, including the elected.

As far as "dirty laundry" is concerned, you and I tend to think alike to a point. I believe the pendulum also swings based on which is the majority party du jour. Then all laundry is perceived as dirty no matter what condition it is.

I don't buy into a categoritization at any level that the military operates any mission with a wanton disregard for life. If anything, the opposite is true. Have there been instances where actions have happened where are far from desired? Sure, and there will always be an occasional one because war is far from pretty, and things happen which are regrettable. That's why there is no group more cautious of committing military assets to resolve a situation than the military leadership itself - folk who know all too well what can and will happen despite the best of intentions. Ironically, it's folk who have never been in combat who historically have been all-too-eager to deploy the military as the "problem solver."