You worote: “… the Dems don't seem nearly cynical enough to use “some catastrophic and catalyzing event––like a new Pearl Harbor” to push…..”

I am inclined to think that key Democratic leaders will make use of whatever momemtum they can find to help them achiecve their goals – many of which are supported by their Republican counterparts despite rhetoric to the contrary. Statists under another brand, if you will.

I greatly agree with your final statement, and I believe that the new administration's initial and more recent decisions regarding Iraq and especially Afghanistan support our views.

“…your party's war …”. Well written: If I recall correctly, Representative Paul was roundly ridiculed by his fellow Republicans for his out-spoken opposition.

As an aside, did you have occasion to read or hear onetime Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld lamenting the fact that we haven't experienced another terrorist attack sufficient to motivate our citizenry into greater support of the “War on Terror”?

Best regards,

Charles