Two: I agree. Kooky as hell. But brilliant, too. I believe it was thrown out there just to shock and spur other countries (Jordan, Egypt, Saudis, etc.) to get off their asses and come up with a solution for their own region that's not kooky.
Five: Any journalist who's kicked around for any length of time, who's been involved in coverage of certain dark dealings, (like anything in Central America, ever) will have had encounters with a Steve from Pittsburgh or a John from Spokane. I can tell you personally, I was always glad to share info with my military or political sources if I felt that info would facilitate and complement that source's desired result...and not compromise my conservative views. If they wanted to pay me with liquor and free food, I was in.