Finally a SecDef that knows what the hell it's all about. I won't be surprised if he remains in his position during the Clinton/Richardson/Obama administration. Hopefully his age won't be a factor.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates encouraged the graduating U.S. Naval Academy class of 2007 Friday to "remember the importance of two pillars of our freedom under the Constitution: the Congress and the press."

Gates said the Founding Fathers wisely understood that the Congress, a free press and a nonpolitical military are needed in a free country.

"The press is not the enemy and to treat it as such is self-defeating," he said.