Over the weekend I discovered two other significant voices besides Tim Russert's that have been stilled. These were kindred minds because (like me) they were not afraid to point out when the emperor had no clothes. We will miss these people and their point of view.

First is Lieutenant General (LTG) William Odom. As the article says about him, "Washington has its share of retired generals who go on TV and blather the administration line fed them, we have recently learned, at private Pentagon briefings. And then there was Bill Odom." Whenever I saw Odom, I saw someone who, to paraphrase Shakespeare, did not suffer fools gladly.

Here's a link to the Newsweek article noting his death.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/140234

Second is Charles Moskos. Moskos was a sociologist and a former draftee whose main emphasis was on the role of the military in society. Moskos and I agreed (for somewhat different reasons) that we need to bring back the Draft. In the last few years, Moskos advocated a system whereby draftees would be screened for three levels of national service based on physical and mental capabilities: military, para-military (border guards, airport screeners) and social service. The article I've attached from 2001 speaks to his views.

We thank both these men for their contributions to our society.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0111.moskos.glastris.html