One for the Bucket List: Testifying Before the Senate Armed Services Committee

I spent 90 minutes or so this morning testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Roles and Missions of the Armed Services.  The video is at this link.  I recommend watching the whole thing (there's about 30 minutes of dead air to start), but if you simply want to see how I may have beclowned myself, I can be seen:

36:40—Opening statement

01:03:50

01:09:33

01:28:09

01:33:43

01:40:26

01:47:42

P1:49:52

01:54:05

01:56:14

A couple of thoughts.  First,if you are a red-blooded American patriot, going before Congress is one of the all time great honors.  I've done it now less than a half dozen times (this was the first Senate appearance), and all I can tell you is that I am proud of the process, I am proud of the preparation, and I am proud of the people who I sat before--good Americans trying hard to figure out how best to keep the nation safe.

Second:  Watch Tom Cotton, junior R Senator from Arkansas.  The dude is just flat out sharp.  Wicket smaht, a little Abe Lincolnish.

Third:   I have to imagine that testifying under more critical conditions (see Clinton, H--Benghazi) is a hell of a lot tougher.