If you have had your TV on in the last few days, you have no doubt seen George W. Bush on there, promoting his new book. I am not a big George W. Bush fan. He was not a conservative and did not govern as one. He was better than the alternatives (Gore and Kerry), but that is not a ringing endorsement. But he did do something right.
We all remember where we were when we heard about the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11. I was en route to court and did not get to see the images of the attack for several hours later. I went home that evening, expecting to hear the announcement that the President would be addressing a joint session of congress the next day and then at that session seek a declaration of war.
Some of my more libertarian friends lament the fact we went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan without a declaration of war. I am grateful Bush never did.
As we love to point out, the Constitution puts serious limits on the power of government. That is one of the beauties of that document. But there is one occasion where the Constitution goes over and gives the government almost unchecked power. That is during time of war.
<<<--------- see the George W. Bush video at the left
In our history, wartime Presidents have used that power, sometimes to for the best. Lincoln had southern sympathizers imprisoned. Lincoln shut down papers. Even some Democrat politicians were imprisoned or fled the country to avoid imprisonment.
Wilson did the same during World War One. Franklin Roosevelt imprisoned hundreds of thousands during World War Two, just based on their ethnicity.
Would George W. Bush have abused the wartime rights given a President? I doubt it. Bush was not my worry. His successor is. Can you imagine what Obama would do if he had wartime powers. Under the Constitution, Habeas Corpus is suspended. Many other rights are as well. Obama, our narcissist in chief, is not a big fan of being criticized. Can you imagine what he might do to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck if he had the chance?
Fortunately, we do not have to worry about that.
George W. Bush wisely decided not to seek a declaration of war on September 12, 2001, even though he most certainly would have received it. Yes, American soldiers went to war without a declaration, but American rights were never suspended, as could be done during time of war.
There are many things I think George W. Bush did wrong. This was one, he did right.
Thank you, Mr. Bush from Judson Phillips @ tea Party Nation
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This article was prepared for the Examiner by Hank Richards. If you would like to write a letter to the editor or report a news tip, contact Richards at (256) 417-6084, by email at tips@pronlinenews.com or visit his website at www.pronlinenews.com
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