Reply #57: Say what you will. You've still waded into hyperbole without a rope walk to guide you back.

[JeffR]

You've stretched Arendt to fit your rhetorical bed of Procrustes, and she doesn't fit on it, so it seems you have no choice than to stretch her to its dimensions. But it's just not convincing. The Bush mis-administration didn't consult me or you about the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq. President Obama, who garnered my vote and a campaign contribution I could ill afford at the time, didn't consult me or you about what he would do in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

Getting back to what I believe is the original point of your OP, blaming things on the military is beside the point. The point is that our military is occupying two countries in the Middle East that we have no business occupying. That's where all this begins and ends. We fight it or we don't. I fight it, and assume you do too. Right? Isn't that where the real responsibility resides? You and I can both sleep quite soundly. Arendt won't be haunting any dreams of mine tonight. If she does yours, read her again.