Bush administration failed in its most sacred duty

MICHAEL O'CONNOR; Gig Harbor
Published: December 4th, 2005 02:30 AM

(News Tribune, WA)

It is truly frustrating for our military to go into a conflict and bravely fight and die when the American people lose their enthusiasm for the war.
When our leaders do not do their homework and commit us to wars using scare tactics based on faulty intelligence, it is not surprising that the American people would lose patience – especially when it becomes apparent that a direct threat to America was never there.

In an authoritarian state, it is much easier for leaders to quell anti-war dissent. In a democracy, the military, dedicated to preserving our freedoms and way of life, must live with the frustration of seeing the people's representatives question a war's cost in lives and resources.

In not adequately weighing the intelligence that ran contrary to their preconceived notions, the Bush administration leaders failed in what is perhaps their most sacred duty – making sure they are sending our citizen soldiers into a just war. They should be held accountable.