In a recent visit with the Register editorial board, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, addressed a range of topics, touching on matters from Iraq to Calistoga.

Here are some highlights.

• On Iraq: He said the war has badly depleted our military, in terms of manpower, equipment and the federal fisc. “We are borrowing $400 million a day to be in Iraq,” said Thompson, who continues to advocate for redeployment of the troops now in Iraq.

“Besides, the real fight is in Afghanistan, along the Pak-Af border,” he said, referring to a lawless region in Pakistan where the Taliban is gaining strength and causing instability in neighboring Afghanistan.

• On Iran: The idea that the United States might engage in hostilities in Iran has circulated for awhile. Thompson said such a move would be a mistake. “We don’t have the capability or troops to spread out in that fashion,” said Thompson, adding that he recently spoke to former Secretary of Defense William Perry on the subject. “I was told there would be a rebellion in the military, military leaders would not tolerate” a move toward engagement in Iran.

• On the balance between personal privacy and new laws giving the government more intelligence-gathering powers: After 9/11, said Thompson, “We had to change the laws under which we surveilled.” At the time, he said, “We had the equivalent of rotary phone laws for cell phone technology” in terms of intelligence-gathering.

The resulting problems, Thompson said, have not necessarily been the fault of the new laws, but in the way the Bush administration has applied them. “This administration has abused the law, violated the law intentionally” he said.

• On Congress’ feeble approval ratings. He acknowledged frustration with Congress, said he would like to see certain procedural reforms and touted some achievements. Yet he also said a non-stop political chatter on the Web and in the media contributes to negative perceptions, and that citizens do not fully absorb the significance of the nation’s nearly $10 billion deficit.

He said he is regularly approached by those seeking support for beneficial special-interest programs. When he notes financial constraints, he said he often hears back: “I agree with you 100 percent, but my program...”

Said Thompson, “I think we collectively need to be more realistic.”

• On Calistoga: The proposed American Viticultural Area designation for Calistoga remains controversial. The governing agency, known as TTB, has tentatively said it would grandfather in approval for one existing winery to use the Calistoga name on its label though it does not use Calistoga grapes. Thompson and the Napa Valley Vintners are opposed. Thompson threatened legislation on the subject, and said he hasn’t “closed the door” on that idea. But he said the policy problem is bigger than just Calistoga.

“I think TTB screwed up, and rather than acknowledge that (they are sticking to their guns). I’m hopeful TTB will do their job and solve the bigger problem.”

• On energy: Thompson is against expanding areas where domestic oil drilling would be allowed. He said existing leases allow for substantial drilling in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, but that oil companies have not invested in the equipment to tap the supply. As for calls for more drilling, he said it would do little good, and that drilling is not a substitute for a comprehensive energy policy.

Even if domestic drilling expanded, said Thompson, “The administration’s own numbers say it would take 10 years to put the oil in the system and it would save only a nickel a gallon.”