quarterly-report.com Political Commentary by James R. Audet

The 65th Day
May 27, 1999

The Administration has failed to submit to the provisions of the War Powers Act that stipulates a sixty day limit to unilateral military action.  The Federal judiciary will now adjudge the lawfulness of Clinton's war.

While congressional support deteriorates, Clinton treads on quicksand.  He has planned for no more than a ninety day war and time is running out.  In a desperate attempt to buy the country's patience, his mouthpieces assail critics as unpatriotic.  Personal attacks are consistent with the Instant Liar's addiction to high approval ratings.  Consequently, so as to maintain his "popularity," a negotiated settlement to the conflict will likely occur within the next thirty days, albeit on terms that do not conform to the original mission objectives.

Meanwhile, the war is a fortuitous distraction from the Congressional report on Chinese espionage.  No matter that the Administration has invalidated the efforts of millions of American cold warriors.  Its excuse: If we don't help the Chinese build better weapons of mass destruction, they'll just go someplace else for the technology.

Who is a patriot?  The Instant Liar's understanding is as perverse as his integrity.   A career disbursing technology to the Chinese is a qualifier.  Clinton tosses away the sacrifices of others as effortlessly as he deceives.  For those who died protecting nuclear secrets, the Instant Liar would have us believe that they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The memories of those who paid the ultimate price have gone stale.  It is noteworthy that memories have no consumer buying power.  What relevance are the contributions of the dead when "The Phantom Menace" plays at the local theater?

The United States has 6000 warheads.  China has "about" two dozen.  This is offered, seemingly, to calm our fears that nuclear deterrence still works.  We are told the Chinese will not behave as the United States has done in Kosovo.  What if China confounds the experts and becomes an "aggressor nation?"  The West Coast would be lost but the precious East would survive.

Why should we expect Washington to care?

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