I was inspired to write this by another blog posted recently, in which the author asserted his acceptance, even embrace of torture and the suspension of habeas corpus in the prosecution of the "war on terror", (WOT).  In a reply to one of his comments, I stated that in my opinion the terrorists had all ready won the war with regard to his endorsement of torture.  As I was about to leave on a long day of travel I had no time to elaborate.  My argument is based on the degree of commitment to the underlying ideology of the combatants in this war and its' effect on our moral and actual position in waging that war.  In the case of the terrorists, their beliefs are so strong they will forfeit their lives to their cause.  Regardless of whether that strength of belief is bolstered by the hoi polloi of being rewarded with 77 virgins, (or perhaps 77 raisins), in paradise, being willing to give their lives for their cause is a fierce and powerful commitment.  

I take for granted that all of us are opposed to terrorism, and as such we must ask ourselves on what core beliefs our participation in the WOT is founded.  Much has been made of freedom and democracy, in addition to freedom from terror, in the forming the rationale for waging war on terror.  Bush cited bringing democracy to the Middle East regarding our decision to wage war in Iraq.  The neoconservative treatise has been integrally linked to founding and supporting a fledgling democracy in the Middle East so Bush's position should not have come as a surprise.  

Democracy.  The democratic principle was first instituted in the West, beginning with the Greek and Roman senates.  The early renaissance era gave us the writ of habeas corpus and the rule of law that effectively blocks would be despots from imposing their own personal agendas over the will of the people.  Our own fledgling democracy here in the US, was founded on the principle of one man/one vote, but other basic rights were certified as well, including freedom of speech, religion, and perhaps most remarkably the right to life, liberty, and, the pursuit of happiness.  All of these rights are worth protecting, and the war on terror declared by George W. Bush following 9-11 was promoted as being fought in part to preserve those rights.  Which brings me back to the strength of our commitment to the core principles of democracy and the rule of law.  Our commitment is called into question by those of us who would abandon the underlying foundations of law in the prosecution of the WOT.  


In the weeks following 9-11-2001, a friend of mine asserted that we should open our borders rather than shutting them down, in order to show our national commitment to freedom and our democratic beliefs.  I didn't quite follow him when he said this, but today, having seen the impact on our constitution, as well as the human, material, and financial devastation wrought by Bush's pursuit of the WOT, I have to ask myself if he didn't make a valid point.  If we as a nation are ready to abandon our core beliefs so readily to protect ourselves, either we profoundly misunderstood those beliefs or they weren't worth fighting for in the first place.  

Those ideals are worth fighting for, however those who are willing to abandon the rule of law in pursuing the WOT, like the author of the blog I cited, do not understand the implications of their actions on what they are ostensibly fighting for.  Just as a jihadist has no room for compromise in his beliefs, there is no middle ground in fighting war founded on the belief in the rule of law.  If we compromise that principle in the pursuit of terrorists, we have all ready lost the war.  George W. Bush claimed this week to have kept America 'safe', (since 9-11-01).  What was the cost of our safety under Bush's watch?  Under the stewardship of G.W. Bush the United States has endorsed torture, contrary to the rule of international and US law, suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus, contrary to US law, spied on citizens of the US, again in contradiction of US law, and who knows what else we aren't even aware of yet.  Without investigating and prosecuting illegal activities of the United States government conducted in the WOT, we have surrendered our core precepts as a nation and a people and have collectively lost the war on terror.  

As for you, President Bush, I can't even say mockingly, "Nice try".  You lost the "War on Terror", now go home to Texas, and let us try to sort out the mess you've made.





Note:  I thought this a good time to post following GWB's attempt at revisionism during his 'farewell' press conference and public address this week.  I'm travelling and will have limited, if any time to check in here, so I leave it to the rest of you to explore these thoughts.