The last time an American military officer was given as much national coverage as the testimony of Gen. David Petraeus before Congress was when Gen. Douglas MacArthur clashed with President Harry S. Truman over the conduct of the Korean War.
In the wake of the hype surrounding the appearance of Gen. Patraeus before Congressional Committees this week, it was absolutely embarrassing to watch our Commander in Chief literally hand off the complete conduct of the Iraqi war to a four star general. However, it should come as no surprise to the American public, who hold the American soldier in much higher regard than an insecure President of the United States and an impotent Congress. The danger is that the United States Constitution goes to great lengths to ensure that the American armed forces' responsibilities are limited to the defense and protection of the United States of America and not the setting of policy. It is adamant that the Executive Branch and civilians are responsible for conducting foreign policy and establishing the country's defense policies.
After listening to President Bush comments embracing Gen. Patraeus' recommendations that will lead to a long term presence in Iraq of thousands of American troops for years to come, there is little doubt that President George Washington would have rolled over in his grave. When the president stated in his discourse that there were similarities between the Korean conflict and Iraq, the public should have taken a deep breath. One should not forget that when we responded to North Korea aggression in 1950, Americans thought we would be there for only a short period of time. Fifty seven years later American soldiers are still risking their lives guarding a very dangerous border separating the two Koreas.
Notwithstanding the fact that Congress is paralyzed by fear and anger, it appears that there is little that can be done to reverse the dangerous path we have pursued. Mr. Bush will remain as our "Commander in Chief" in name only until January 2009. During this "lame duck" period we will be subject to the continuing tragic loss of our brave young American soldiers fighting to prop up an ineffectual Iraqi government. America will also see our national treasury drained to the point that the welfare of our children and grandchildren will be put in serious jeopardy.
Hopefully, and if it isn't too late, common sense will prevail in the 2008 presidential elections and the American people will elect a president who understands the consequences of sabotaging the principles of the United States Constitution.
William Tilney served as mayor of the city of El Paso from 1991-93
