The narrative, which unfolds in real time, is punctuated by shootings and other acts of violence that are meant to serve as brutal punch lines, truncating colorful and surreal passages of criminal incompetence and domestic disorder.

Even though the situation is still salvageable, right now Iraq is a terrible mess because of the criminal incompetence of the Bush national security team, and we are more alone in the world than ever.

The pieces were hung from the tiled lintel above the gates to the Heron Pool and his head impaled on a wooden pole by the entrance, with a placard denouncing his criminal incompetence.

After the units under his command suffered a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Białystok-Minsk, during the first days of the invasion, Pavlov was relieved of his command, arrested and accused of criminal incompetence and treason.

"Am I to blame for their criminal incompetence?"

"Somebody fix this before I have you all charged with criminal incompetence!"

"Bad luck and criminal incompetence," the words popped out of her with surprising force.

But criminal incompetence and its consequences was what Calhoun had been loaned to Sector Twelve to help remedy.

Today's report heightened speculation by veterans groups and members of Congress that there had been either criminal incompetence within the Defense Department - it can be a Federal crime to mishandle classified material - or a cover-up.

Not to be used as the main weapon to pay for the criminal incompetence of the rich.