Bush and National Security

In March, 2006, President Bush signed an introductory statement to the National Security Strategy. Read the full text HERE. Excerpts follow with my commentary.

America is at war.

A declaration of war requires a defined enemy. The so-called war in question is the war on terrorism which has no real enemy, only an ill defined group who threaten to attack the United States or its interests. There are better ways to counter terrorism than to attack with military force.

… the rise of terrorism fueled by an aggressive ideology of hatred and murder

With a rise fueled by the ongoing occupation of Iraq yet ignored by the administration.

America also has an unprecedented opportunity to lay the foundations for future peace. The ideals that have inspired our history – freedom, democracy, and human dignity – are increasingly inspiring individuals and nations throughout the world. And because free nations tend toward peace, the advance of liberty will make America more secure.

Once that was true. After the attacks of 9/11 the United States enjoyed the sympathy of the world. At that time we were the most powerful nation in the world in both military and overall world popularity. Since that time we have seen our influence in the world community vastly diminished. Today we are less approved and more disliked as a nation than at any time in our history. The initial invasion and ongoing occupation of Iraq were mistakes of colossal magnitude.

We have kept on the offensive against terrorist networks, leaving our enemy weakened, but not yet defeated.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Terrorism by any measure has increased around the world. Leaving Americans in Iraq fuels the insurgency and has allowed the beginning of spread to other countries such as Jordan.

We have joined with the Afghan people to bring down the Taliban regime – the protectors of the al-Qaida network – and aided a new, democratic government to rise in its place.

And now we see the ineffectiveness in that government as the Taliban rears its ugly head stronger than before.

We have cultivated stable and cooperative relations with all the major powers of the world.

Cooperation is not really possible when the US hands out the only acceptable terms. Other countries around the world left the coalition of the willing long ago. World opinion continues to deteriorate.

We have also found that the defense of freedom brings us loss and sorrow

More than 2500 American troops dead and uncounted thousands of Iraqis is surely cause for sorrow.

The ongoing course of this administration is just too much. No longer can any one of us afford to remain silent. We must all speak up and speak out loud and clear before time runs out and change cannot be accomplished.