"The thing that comes immediately to my own mind is that, as they admit, the Bush administration takes the position that we are at war with international terrorism and in times of war the President has authority to disregard all laws."
I've heard others say that that is the Bush Administration's position, but I've never heard the Bush Administration say it.
It seems clear though, that they (the Administration) do think they have an obligation to go beyond traditional limits of executive power. As have other presidents in time of war.
The problem with this war, IMO, is that the population isn't part of it. If there were sugar and rubber rationing and full page stories about Rosie the Riveter, and if our factories were blasting away full tilt, perhaps we'd feel more involved in the war effort.
To go one step beyond, I also see the same thing happening here as happened in Vietnam. That is, first the opposing politicians and Hollywood types loudly complain about the war, then the media joins in. When the opinion makers get going full speed, it can't help but turn the support of the population. In the Vietnam case, it wasn't the military who lost the war, it was the media and politicians who lost it. I see the same thing happening again -- there will be no chance for a successful conclusion in Iraq if things continue as they are here in the US. |
