I'm still not a huge fan, but I don't find this self-depreciation nearly as offensive as most of you appear to.

What I find offensive is not the self-deprecation, but what appears to be an attempt to minimize and gloss over the consequences of his mistake. If, indeed, it was a mistake and not a deliberate ego-driven personal vendetta against the man who tried to kill his daddy.

Here he is, saying in effect, "Oh, gosh, golly gee. I guess there weren't any weapons of mass destruction there after all. Isn't that a hoot. Oh, well, better luck next time. Ha ha..."

How many thousands of people died. How many tens (hundreds?) of thousands of people have had their lives and livelihoods irreparably damaged? Oh, yes, that's a real hoot, all right!

tanstaafl.