Former intelligence chief Mike McConnell’s abrupt travel plans are hereby excused. The Senate has confirmed by voice vote his fellow retired Navy admiral, Dennis Blair as the third director of national intelligence. (Well, fourth, technically. McConnell’s odd decision Tuesday to quit meant that his deputy, Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess, was director for a day. If some congressional commission determines that the next 9/11 came to pass because of some critical error on Jan. 28, 2009, now you know who to blame.)