I watched one of the most amazing things online at C-SPAN — the testimony of Richard A. Clarke, the former top counterterrorism adviser for Clinton and Bush. His opening statement, at the 9-11 Commission, nailed everyone and he didn't let up for one second.

Your government failed you. Those entrusted with protecting you failed you. I failed you. We tried hard, but we failed you...I ask for your understanding, and your forgiveness.

Words fail me in describing Clarke's performance. You must watch it. It's a little over 2 hours long, but it is two hours of history. Big history.

SEPTEMBER 11: U.S. RESPONSE

The link to look for is:
"Sept. 11 Commission Hearing - Day 2, Afternoon Session
Former NSC counterterrorism head Richard Clarke (left) & Deputy Sec. of State Richard Armitage testify before the September 11 Commission."
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If you don't want to watch it, the New York Times and the Washington Post have extensive coverage...

Bush Critic at Center of 9/11 Debate Testifies at Hearing

9/11 Panel Told Terrorism Initially Not 'Urgent' for Bush

daily Kos has some good comments about Clarke's testimony...

Richard Clarke, Patriot

It's tempting to overstate the significance of what many of us watched or heard this afternoon. But it's hard to imagine anybody who followed Richard Clarke's testimony before the 9-11 commission not being moved by the man's clear and simple statements of what he says is the truth. From his opening statement of remorse to the families of those who died in the 9-11 attacks, to his blunt descriptions of the Bush administration's neglect of counter-terrorism, to his brilliant demolition of John Lehman's crassly partisan attempt to tar him as a partisan, Clarke's performance was a powerful combination of understatement and bravura. Reading and listening to the reactions people have had to Clarke's book, his appearances in the media, and now to his stunning testimony before the 9-11 panel, it appears that we may have reached a turning point. Richard Clarke is easily believed and not easily dismissed. Karl Rove wasted his ammunition on earlier whistle blowers like John Dilulio and Paul O'Neil, who, compared to Clarke, are minor leaguers. Despite the assists of hacks like Lehman and the slimeballs at Fox News, this whistleblower will be hard to marginalize and ignore. The political heart of the Bush presidency is counter-terrorism, and their former counter-terrorism expert may have just ripped out their heart. Richard Clarke is a hawk, appears to have been a Republican, and most balanced summaries of his career show him to have been a bit of a loose cannon too smitten by covert actions and insufficiently respectful of civil liberties. But he's the type of knowledgeable, dogged, and passionate analyst on whom every successful administration must rely for honest and non-ideological appraisals and advice. However, this administration doesn't value analysts, it values acolytes. Thus, it's not surprising this outraged insider has so effectively exposed the rank incompetence and rotten dishonesty at the center of the Bush administration. Furthermore, this administration doesn't respect people who aren't cynical idolaters of power like themselves; it's to be expected that they wouldn't heed the advice of someone whose character and motivations are so different from their own. The leaders of the Bush administration wouldn't listen to Richard Clarke because, as he proved today, he is fundamentally what they will never be. Richard Clarke is a mensch, and Richard Clarke is a patriot.

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Other pieces about Clarke...

Dick Clarke Is Telling the Truth
Why he's right about Bush's negligence on terrorism.

Richard Clarke terrorizes the White House
In a provocative Salon interview, the former terrorism czar fires back at the Bush administration, blasting its "big lie" strategy and "attack dog" Dick Cheney.

Clarke, Clinton and terrorism

Bush's brand new enemy is the truth
Clarke's claims have shaken the White House to its foundations