>I believe Americans will die if we do not fight terrorism with all our resources and if we continue to play legalistic or academic games about the rules.
>
>The constitution was written in a different era when some people still had moral fiber and the rest didn't have global reach, or the means to commit mass devastation on our territory, and had the guts to fight in uniform (mostly).
>
>Get the terrorists to play by your rules. Then we'll talk.
>
>Until then, keep working on tying our governments hands so they can't provide protection (their duty) and continue to blame bush for everything bad over the last 30 years. See how well that plays when Obama is in office.

The President's oath of office:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

It says "defend the Constitution". It doesn't say "keep Americans from dying."

I agree with this priority. TJ put it this way:

From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots.

It's really not about staying alive.

Peter