Why they were in "the tank"

Yesterday, as Bush went to the Pentagon for his Iraq briefing, I joked about why that briefing was taking place in "the tank," the ultratechnological anti-eavesdropping room.

But sleeping on it, now I understand.

The Army really is broken, and its ability to respond is diminished.

The level of that weakness, the inavailability of ground combat troops and lack of equipment reserves, really is a state secret. That's why Pace, Casey, Gates and the rest are pleading for an Iraq drawdown.

Petraeus didn't take part in that meeting, not because of disputes, but because the problems being discussed were beyond his level.