by Jerry Curtis

Created on: April 23, 2008

Assigning the term "imperial" to the American institution of the presidency is self-serving misuse of both "imperial" and "presidency." President Bush was elected to two four-year terms of office by the American people. He was not appointed, nor did he have to assassinate his predecessor. He is neither imperial, nor has he attempted to usurp constitutional powers rightfully belonging to the other two branches of government.

Yes, George Bush has used his presidential authority to bring the United States into an increasingly unpopular conflict in the basket case country of Iraq. And, yes again, one of his premises - that there were weapons of mass destruction (WMD's) being stockpiled by the Iraqi thug Saddam Hussein - did not hold up. False premise or no, Bush's actions were both legal and sanctioned by a joint Congressional Resolution that listed far more reasons than WMD's as our country's justification for invading Iraq.

President Bush has also used his presidential authority to institute some rather extreme measures against guerrilla and terrorists caught on the ground or scooped in the night from their lairs in Afghanistan and elsewhere. He used neither imperial decree nor arbitrary means to warehouse over 500 dangerous and America hating jihadists, who have, by the way, yielded some uniquely valuable intelligence that has most probably saved American lives. He did the foregoing, not because of imperial hubris, but on a legally vetted premise that terrorists and irregular guerrillas fall outside the legal protection of the Geneva Convention. Nevertheless, all captives have been treated far better than most prisoners of war, and their friends in Afghanistan and Iran would never provide reciprocal treatment to any American soldier captured.

The President has also, within the legal scope of his authority, published a number of Executive Orders and findings that have both stood the test of legal scrutiny, and each designed to enhance public safety. Those who believe that NSA monitoring of internet and cell phone chatter, sifting out phrases like "death to America" and "we have weapons stored in our mosque in Detroit" is an egregious and imperial violation of rights are simply gainsaying because of political bias or hatred of President Bush.

Finally, unlike most emperors, who get to stay in office until the end of their natural life (or assassination, whichever comes first), President Bush will return to his ranch in Texas next January. However, there are, I suppose, a few similarities between President Bush and Roman Emperors like Augustus. Both were cognizant that there were barbarians in the world who wanted to see the demise of civilization. Both took strong measures against those villains, and neither apologized for protecting the welfare of his citizens, even while crybabies in the Senate dithered and groused.

Learn more about this author, Jerry Curtis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.