I am so freaking beat.

Not sure what the problem is. Altitude? Haven't been back in Denver for two weeks, guess I lost my (tude?) Or just worn out from (nearly) two weeks straight without a break. Or cause I haven't done any aerobic exercize in a coon's age? Or cause I worked out hard Thursday, for the first time in 3 weeks, and half my muscles are screaming at me? Or cause I'm just getting over a cold?

But I was better yesterday, much better. Just slogging through it cause I had to for work?

All week I've been looking forward to tonight, though. My one night out, my one big dance night, won't be back in Denver for a weekend for three weeks. It better be fun.

So I'm pulling it together, finally, counting on a couple shots, maybe a couple red bulls, the throbbing sounds and some hot little bodies and . . .

I'm counting on finding a way to rally. I really need it, you know.

Full report tomorrow. Hopefully, I promise.

This is kind of shocking.

First a chunk of the AP story, so you can make your own assessment, then my take:

An American lieutenant colonel pleaded guilty to beating an Iraqi detainee and threatening to kill him during an interrogation, but will be fined and allowed to retire rather than face a court-martial, the military said Saturday. . . .

West is the most senior officer of the 4th Infantry Division to face disciplinary proceedings in Iraq. His punishment was reduced because of his good record and the difficult environment, the military said.

At a military pretrial hearing Friday, Gen. Raymond Odierno, who commands 4th Infantry Division based in Tikrit, fined West $5,000, relieved him from his post and forwarded his request for retirement next spring for approval. "He will return to 4th Infantry Division's headquarters in Fort Hood, Texas, until his retirement," the division said in the statement. . . .

West pleaded guilty to punching and firing a pistol near the prisoner, Yahya Jhodri Hamoodi, on Aug. 20 while interrogating him in al-Taji, just north of Baghdad. West also threatened to kill the detainee if he did not talk, according to the statement.

The division said West "disobeyed laws, ignored orders ... and mortgaged future discipline in his unit by compromising his credibility."

"While his crimes merit a court martial, mitigating factors ... were considered including the stressful environment ... and Lt. Col. West's record as an officer and commander," the military said.

It's not shocking that an officer did all that, even though he crossed the line to torture when he threatened to kill a guy and backed it up with those actions. That's unsettling, but you expect a green lieutenant here or there to run amuck and do something extraordinarily stupid.

But this was a Lt. Colonel. That's a highly, ranking officer. It's shocking that a senior officer would do something like that, and much more shocking that the commanding general would let him off so lightly. (And retirement this spring? He's going to be sitting around in a unit? And collecting pay?) That sends a bad, bad signal for something so incredibily serious.

At first I was thinking of the signal it sends our own troops, but the rest of the world and the Iraqis are going to take it all the worse. Great way to build back those bridges.

I sure hope a more senior officer steps in and rejects this arrangement.