Opposite Ground Zero

Two enormous cement trucks were lined up outside the bank this morning to pour the new foundations for Seven World Trade Center across the street. The work of building and rebuilding continues along with the work of destruction.

The end of the war is in sight. Remember, it never ended for the Iraqis, only for us. Most of us. Better to have ended it without what we will see in the next few weeks, and not see. But good to know that it will end.

Hard to concentrate on the work of data processing, or (excuse me) information technology. Or on the talk I must give tomorrow night on the uses of philosophy. It is a talk I have never given before. Indeed, I have given few talks in the last couple of years.

I was pretty much planning to cut the Liturgy of the Presanctified tonight, but now I guess I won't. Poor old world needs all the prayers it can get. Maybe I do too.

Courage, all.

Baetjer to Frist to Baetjer to Frist

Two days ago Howard Baetjer, a Towson University economist, wrote an open letter to Princeton classmate Bill Frist, the Senate Majority Leader:

Bail Bush out, Bill. Bail us all out. Call your colleagues together, rescind officially any authority Congress has given to the executive branch to declare war on Iraq, and state publicly that the decision on declaring war with Iraq shall be made by Congress alone, as required by Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution.

Today Senator Frist replied:

At the end of the day, what divides us on this issue are not legalities and constitutional niceties. We differ on the best means to address the threat posed by Saddam Hussein — for surely there can be no doubt about the threat posed by this brutal dictator.

And Professor Baetjer responded:

There are two other key differences between us. The first concerns our view of the appropriate role of the American government. I believe that role is to protect the lives and property of people in the territory of the United States. You suggest that it includes

the liberation of the Iraqi people, the foundation of democratic government in Baghdad, and the spread of peace in the Middle East.

Where in the Constitution is the U.S. government directed to liberate other peoples and found governments?

The final difference between us is the crucial one. It’s a different view of the sheer capabilities of politicians and bureaucrats. You believe that American officials, once the destruction and bloodshed end, actually can accomplish “the liberation of the Iraqi people, the foundation of democratic government in Baghdad, and the spread of peace in the Middle East.”

I believe this is hubris...

The positions have been stated with clarity and intelligence. Click on the quotations above to see the complete documents, which may well find a place in the history of our era.