WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration released a report Friday outlining an aggressive national security policy that says the United States must adapt its forces and planning toward favoring pre-emptive action against terrorist groups and hostile states that possess or are developing weapons of mass destruction . . . Bush pursues a war on terrorism on two fronts: pursuit of a group accused of attacking the United States - al Qaeda - and contemplation of a military strike against Iraq. The sovereign state has not been tied to any terrorist attack, but the administration has declared it is pursuing weapons of mass destruction . . . "We will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting pre-emptively."

And there is more. This is straight news, not editorial. Whole article HERE.

Since I was a child, the only justification for hostile action has been "He hit me first!" In Western movies, the hero never drew his gun until the guy in the black hat started to draw his. The United States has always justified warlike activity by (at the very least) trying to make a fairly convincing case they we were responding to an attack or other hostile action—and always the retaliation was against the country that initiated the alleged hostile action.

"Pre-emptive strike?" It appears that our "Western hero" wants carte blanche to shoot anyone else who might possibly be carrying a gun. Including anyone who is not obviously carrying a gun, but might possibly have a Derringer tucked in his boot.

Does anyone besides me find this absolutely appalling?

Don Firth