No Blank Check For Undefined War

No leader should ask for or expect a blank check on support from subjects, local or overseas. Yet Bush says to all nations, those not with us are with the enemy. It appears he lost some moderate Arabs nations already. Such oversimplifications cloak questionable plans. Wise acts can be supported internationally; unwise acts should be opposed. Top of that list is unleashing weapons of mass destruction. The Free Soil Party strongly urges restraint. Even if war is unavoidable, given current sentiment among our self-proclaimed leaders, radioactive and biological weapons are not options belonging on the table. That civilians died cannot justify retaliating in kind or worse, but that would not stop America.

There are no easy ways to deal with terrible enemies, but it is not hard to find chances for defusing this horrible escalation of terror, chances our government will ignore rushing to war. We witness America getting thirsty for blood. This warlike episode qualifies as international incident, and could better be handled by the United Nations. The suspects need not be present at trial. If real evidence suffices for conviction in international court, it would be easier to extradite, and fanatics would lose credibility. This is hypothetical; Free Soil has severe doubts about popular theories on who pulled it off and why.

One big problem for America is how it gets credibility through showing off its military technology. Legislators of all stripes gave the President just about carte blanche. Only one dared caution about the mad rush to war. How can everyone be expected to blindly support the President, no matter what he does in the name of the people? When rhetoric is inflammatory, the actions will likely be as bad or worse. Let us hope, think, and protest, so this does not start a world war.