interesting because behind the floating orange boom that was oil ed was the white absorbent oil that was boomed. behind it was all of the reeds that you see in the marshes there, and they were oiled from about six inches booch the water line to 12 inches above the water line which i thought was odd because i didn't see a sheen of oil on the water that morning. i was told later when i came in that they had sprayed dispersant overnight so folks wouldn't see the sheen of the oil. but the slime of the oil w certainly left on the marsh grasses that are so important to thee estuary and the place wher all the baby critters can hide in the nurseries. we don't know. >> are there other questions? if not i want to thank you very much for what has been an extremely valuable and informative and insightful series of presentations. we gained a lot from what you contributed, and mr. hecht, we're going to be back in touch with you on your economic analysis. we'd like this to be the beginning of an ongoing dialogue. if there are things that we could provide to you, we will give you a point of contact and conversely as we continue our work and

interesting because behind the floating orange boom that was oil ed was the white absorbent oil that was boomed. behind it was all of the reeds that you see in the marshes there, and they were oiled from about six inches booch the water line to 12 inches above the water line which i thought was odd because i didn't see a sheen of oil on the water that morning. i was told later when i came in that they had sprayed dispersant overnight so folks wouldn't see the sheen of the oil. but the slime of the oil was certainly left on the marsh grasses that are so important to thee estuary and the place wher all the baby critters can hide in the nurseries. we don't know. >> are there other questions? if not i want to thank you very much for what has been an extremely valuable and informative and insightful series of presentations. we gained a lot from what you contributed, and mr. hecht, we're going to be back in touch with you on your economic analysis. we'd like this to be the beginning of an ongoing dialogue. if there are things that we could provide to you, we will give you a point of contact and conversely as we continue our work an

ed? the government of pakistan together with the united states -- nato actually -- effectively control their border, suppress the hakani network? the operational tactical situation afghanistan would be remarkably improved or marginally improved or not effected? >> senator reed, the pakistanis have moved against many of our common enemies. i think there is a growing amareneamare ne -- awareness that these -- what can conveyed as poisonous snakes in the garden don't only bite other people's kids. they go after everyone. i think in the -- in the longer run as they are able to amass what they need in terms of political will and military capability that we will work against the common enemies. >> thank you very much, general. senator brown? >> thank you, senator reed. general, first of all, congratulations. i'm looking forward to casting my vote for you. i'm hopeful that the chairman will take this up as quickly as we took up general petraeus' confirmation. i think it's very, very important for the security of the region, the security of our troops and the security of our country. i did note with interest the recent article that you were looking forward to growing onions in your spare time when you retired. i don't think that's going to be happening any time soo