War powers are indeed in opposition to peace time rights. To fight and lose a humanitarian war is a poor alternative.For those who wish war you could not have a larger , longer and more dangerous war. Being an alarmist at this point is a silly notion at best. I do not think there can be more alarming circumstances.

The conflict is ultimately one of beliefs of fundamentalism against modern open societies. Do not assume victory. America is no less unsinkable than the Titanic. No doubt that statement will be unpopular but many empires have been brought down in the past by Barbarians at the gate and Trojan horses within the gates. It will be a conflict that will call upon Americans to fight and die perhaps in great numbers (10 to 60 million from bio contagions). If the 5 major cities in the US are uninhabitable from Nuke plant terrorism the game is over for at least 20 generations. Taking defense of our own facilities too lightly will be unfortunate in the extreme.
There will be time for memorials and civil rights later.