By Tom Ryan, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel

Each time we print his name and give his lame tapes (the guy needs to burn some CDs or post some downloads at iBafoons) airplay we just play into the hands of this ghost. And actually analyzing the tapes? Really. Leave that to the professionals at Langley.

Seriously, it’s really boring and in a way it distracts us just as the ghost desires. It distracted me to write this distraction. So, guilty as charged.

Take comfort in the fact that the ghost may be mellowing. Look at it this way, he and a few Op-Ed writers now share the opinion that we’re getting bogged down in “the Stans.” I’d say we’re decisively engaged there, not bogged. I’d say we’re on the cusp of a strategy shift, so tune in periodically.

To compare the content of this latest ghost whisper with our political landscape borders on the absurd. Does the ghost have broadband to keep up with current events? I’m not certain, but what seems certain is that we’ve watched too many ghost stories.

Publish the transcript. Fine. Slip us the audio file. No sweat. Noted. And your point is…?