NYT Editorial Demanded Financial Surveillance

...but then again, this editorial was written three days after September 11. That was back when we were at war.

Apparently we're not anymore. The New York Times editorial staff decided we're not at a war, so we're not.

The first week after 9/11, I was angry that they hadn't secured a formal declaration of war against Al Qaeda. Democrats wouldn't declare the obvious. As well as some Republicans, like Chuck Hegel.

In the spirit of amity, Bush did not press the issue, although he could have uncovered a lot of peaceniks for what they were right quick if he had demanded a formal declaration of war.

I thought that was a mistake then and still think so now. It is the lack of a formal declaration of war that permits Bill Keller to publish state secrets without much fear of prosecution.

So: Let's pass it.

It's time for a formal declaration of war on Al Qaeda. No Democrats will vote for it, and some Republicans won't, but we should be able to get it through. Let us have no more questions about the legal status of this war, and what consequences treason may have.

posted by Ace at 11:05 AM

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