iscussed a multitude of subjects ranging from Dostoyevsky, to the treasures of the Hermitage in Saint Pete, the lovely springs in Odessa, those Georgia wines and the philosophical comparisons between developed and underdeveloped rural mentalities as pillars of political action.”

“And her musical culture. Both as a performer – her piano recitals are highly appreciated – but also the research she has conducted on the more complex aspects of symphonic compositions and arrangements”

The Professor added: “ Besides she is loyal and devoted to GW a

I read aloud to the Professor, interrupting his elaboration of a pre-lunch cocktail:

“The House committee subpoenas Condoleezza Rice. Congressional Democrats seem to be taking the bull by the horns, now that there seems to be open warfare between the President and the Democratic majority in Congress. While this is not the only subpoena to be served, this decision will introduce added tension between Capitol Hill and the White House”

“What is it this time? Please do not tell me that we are back to investigating the pre, during and after September 11 parades of errors, misinterpretations and falsehoods!”

“Yup. The matter will outlive us, Professor. Too many errors and too many weak excuses, and the worse part is that it has led our country into a downslide that will be difficult to reverse”

The Professor finished mixing the dry martinis and, after carefully squeezing the oil from small lemon rind on top of the surface of the liquid and dropping a healthy green olive in the glass, poured two drinks and offered me one. It took some minutes to recover from the tasting and savoring of the drink before he said:

“Here we go again. Back to headlines the world over and the puzzling expressions on the faces of the few allies and friends this country still has. We can not expect that the entire world drop whatever they are doing to pay attention to the spectacles we so admirably create. Any time you run into opposing views, plus retroactive visions and fixed perspectives, the truth is liable to be bruised, if not raped. In this case Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a partisan squabble based on the unfortunate Iraq episode. And now Condi, who seems to have appeared in every TV program in the last few months is now being invited to the usual televised third degree!”

“Right, Professor. But just as an exercise what would you advise Condie to do when she appears before the Senate Investigating Commission?”

“My recommendation is: ‘Tell the truth’”

“Will she?”

“I think so, but in a wide range of shades, tones and nuances. You see, she is an honest person and a highly intelligent one. I can not forget the conversations we had when she worked for Bush Sr. We discussed a multitude of subjects ranging from Dostoyevsky, to the treasures of the Hermitage in Saint Pete, the lovely springs in Odessa, those Georgia wines and the philosophical comparisons between developed and underdeveloped rural mentalities as pillars of political action.”

“And her musical culture. Both as a performer – her piano recitals are highly appreciated – but also the research she has conducted on the more complex aspects of symphonic compositions and arrangements”

The Professor added: “ Besides she is loyal and devoted to GW an

mber 11 parades of errors, misinterpretations and falsehoods!”

“Yup. The matter will outlive us, Professor. Too many errors and too many weak excuses, and the worse part is that it has led our country into a downslide that will be difficult to reverse”

The Professor finished mixing the dry martinis and, after carefully squeezing the oil from small lemon rind on top of the surface of the liquid and dropping a healthy green olive in the glass, poured two drinks and offered me one. It took some minutes to recover from the tasting and savoring of the drink before he said:

“Here we go again. Back to headlines the world over and the puzzling expressions on the faces of the few allies and friends this country still has. We can not expect that the entire world drop whatever they are doing to pay attention to the spectacles we so admirably create. Any time you run into opposing views, plus retroactive visions and fixed perspectives, the truth is liable to be bruised, if not raped. In this case Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a partisan squabble based on the unfortunate Iraq episode. And now Condi, who seems to have appeared in every TV program in the last few months is now being invited to the usual televised third degree!”

“Right, Professor. But just as an exercise what would you advise Condie to do when she appears before the Senate Investigating Commission?”

“My recommendation is: ‘Tell the truth’”

“Will she?”

“I think so, but in a wide range of shades, tones and nuances. You see, she is an honest person and a highly intelligent one. I can not forget the conversations we had when she worked for Bush Sr. We discussed a multitude of subjects ranging from Dostoyevsky, to the treasures of the Hermitage in Saint Pete, the lovely springs in Odessa, those Georgia wines and the philosophical comparisons between developed and underdeveloped rural mentalities as pillars of political action.”

“And her musical culture. Both as a performer – her piano recitals are highly appreciated – but also the research she has conducted on the more complex aspects of symphonic compositions and arrangements”

The Professor added: “ Besides she is loyal and devoted to GW a

the drink before he said:

“Here we go again. Back to headlines the world over and the puzzling expressions on the faces of the few allies and friends this country still has. We can not expect that the entire world drop whatever they are doing to pay attention to the spectacles we so admirably create. Any time you run into opposing views, plus retroactive visions and fixed perspectives, the truth is liable to be bruised, if not raped. In this case Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a partisan squabble based on the unfortunate Iraq episode. And now Condi, who seems to have appeared in every TV program in the last few months is now being invited to the usual televised third degree!”

“Right, Professor. But just as an exercise what would you advise Condie to do when she appears before the Senate Investigating Commission?”

“My recommendation is: ‘Tell the truth’”

“Will she?”

“I think so, but in a wide range of shades, tones and nuances. You see, she is an honest person and a highly intelligent one. I can not forget the conversations we had when she worked for Bush Sr. We discussed a multitude of subjects ranging from Dostoyevsky, to the treasures of the Hermitage in Saint Pete, the lovely springs in Odessa, those Georgia wines and the philosophical comparisons between developed and underdeveloped rural mentalities as pillars of political action.”

“And her musical culture. Both as a performer – her piano recitals are highly appreciated – but also the research she has conducted on the more complex aspects of symphonic compositions and arrangements”

The Professor added: “ Besides she is loyal and devoted to GW a

d now Condi, who seems to have appeared in every TV program in the last few months is now being invited to the usual televised third degree!”

“Right, Professor. But just as an exercise what would you advise Condie to do when she appears before the Senate Investigating Commission?”

“My recommendation is: ‘Tell the truth’”

“Will she?”

“I think so, but in a wide range of shades, tones and nuances. You see, she is an honest person and a highly intelligent one. I can not forget the conversations we had when she worked for Bush Sr. We discussed a multitude of subjects ranging from Dostoyevsky, to the treasures of the Hermitage in Saint Pete, the lovely springs in Odessa, those Georgia wines and the philosophical comparisons between developed and underdeveloped rural mentalities as pillars of political action.”

“And her musical culture. Both as a performer – her piano recitals are highly appreciated – but also the research she has conducted on the more complex aspects of symphonic compositions and arrangements”

The Professor added: “ Besides she is loyal and devoted to GW a

iscussed a multitude of subjects ranging from Dostoyevsky, to the treasures of the Hermitage in Saint Pete, the lovely springs in Odessa, those Georgia wines and the philosophical comparisons between developed and underdeveloped rural mentalities as pillars of political action.”

“And her musical culture. Both as a performer – her piano recitals are highly appreciated – but also the research she has conducted on the more complex aspects of symphonic compositions and arrangements”

The Professor added: “ Besides she is loyal and devoted to GW and I fear that such loyalty will prompt her to apply the brush of exculpation, omission and who knows what else. She is enough of a realist to accept that the entire play is a political one. It is up to her to play the last act and watch the curtain come down. I hope”

“You are probably right, Professor. While I believe that no one could have prevented the S-11 attack, there is evidence that more could have been learned about Al Qaida if the transition period had enjoyed some responsible continuity. Bush must assume the blame. He adopted that Erase Clinton attitude, which as a semi-official mandate had no place in a serious administration. You add to this his obsession about Iraq – both as a personal vendetta and as an attractive source of resources, and we end up with thousands of our young men injured or dying for reasons that have nothing to do with the defense of our values, imminent threats to our way of life and cataclysmic attacks on the rest of the world!”

“I see you are in your condemning mood. Let us stop worrying and come with me to Burberry’s. There is a sale of Vicu?a overcoats and I have been dying to get one”

“It’s spring, Professor. What do you need a 4 thousand dollar overcoat for?”

“Don’t ask. I won’t tell!”