In the magazine's list of the 100 "Most Influential People" in the world we find Moqtada al Sadr and Vladimir Putin in the category of leaders and revolutionaries.

Terrorist mastermind Baitullah Mehsud also makes the list of leaders and revolutionaries.

(In defense of TIME, Secretary of Defense Gates makes the list--and rightfully so.)

But it struck me that once again, the author and implementer of what could be the greatest strategic turn-around of the war in Iraq ignored.

Once again, TIME has ignored General Petraeus.

And things start to go even further downhill in the category of "Heroes & Pioneers."  Starting with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, TIME lists 9 entertainers, media types or athletes among the 15 "Heroes & Pioneers."

Evidently, those who exhibit heroism as it is classically understood , are like Petraeus, in that they exert no influence.

TIME's list, by omitting a man who is truly standing astride the most important part of the world, tells us more about how the magazine's editors are influenced than those who actually wield it successfully.

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