Dumbledore's Secret 'All Along' Plan?

[Penny Brooks]

No: HPFGUIDX 163632

I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts about Dumbledore, speculating on 
how much he knew about LV, and when, and what his plans may have been 
throughout the book series.  (It's like Court TV.)  I myself had been 
of the mind that Dumbledore:

1)  was aware of LV's existence, and his plans to reemerge
2)  was aware of LV's thoughts about Harry, and the danger against Harry
3)  had some idea about the horcruxes, and has been piecing together 
the evidence since COS

But in my recent rereading of the books (for the hundredth time, 
although with six books worth of information now, I guess I'm growing 
more critical), certain questions are emerging--you all may have dealt 
with them previously, but I did some searches and didn't find anything 
conclusive. 

1)  Why would Dumbledore hire Lockhart?  In COS, Dumbledore's comments 
about him indicate he's fully aware of Lockhart's incapabilities.  It's 
hard to believe he hired him because no one else would do the job 
(except Snape, of course).  If you suspect that the most dangerous 
wizard has a gripe with one of your students (a student you're fond of, 
as well), why would you hire an incompetent to teach him (and the other 
students) how to defend himself?

2)  Why did Dumbledore agree to hold and host the Triwizard Tournament 
at Hogwarts?  It's known as a dangerous event in its own right, but if 
you suspect that (again) the most dangerous wizard is still trying to 
get into your school to take out a student, why would you allow the 
state, and officials and students from other schools (including those 
with dark pasts, like Karkaroff) free entry into your school?  It's 
hard to believe that he thought Moody by himself would be enough to 
protect Harry and the other students.  

I won't even go into the whole occlumency with Snape fiasco--even 
Dumbledore admits it was a bad idea.

So, I'm wondering:  if Dumbledore knew all along about LV's possible 
plans and the horcruxes, and such, then either:

1)  He's making a lot of inexplicable decisions
2)  He's purposefully trying to get Harry to LV (oooh, a bad 
Dumbledore.  There have been worse ideas, I guess, but wouldn't that be 
a twist--one that would have me shouting at my book 7, I'm afraid).
3)  He was using Harry as bait to draw LV out, where the Order can get 
him.  Didn't work, but now Harry is old enough to handle things (maybe).

There must be more ideas.  Any thoughts, anyone?

Penny Bee