In a recent article in the Sunday Times, Andrew Sullivan contrasts the values of Bush-and-Blair with those of their frequently-cited* hero, Winston Churchill:
In a telegram on November 21, 1943, Winston Churchill defined a fundamental difference between the Anglo-American way of war and that of our enemies. Churchill wrote: ‘The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to deny him the judgement of his peers, is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government whether Nazi or Communist.’
Perhaps Tony Blair and George W. Bush regard Winston Churchill as a bleeding heart lefty. But what Churchill’s view represents is an old, very basic principle of Anglo-American warfare and justice: fight war with ferocity, but never lose your democratic soul.
Yes indeed. And Bush-and-Blair’s betrayal of this principle is one of the most tragic aspects of this whole sorry affair. It is depressing to think how easily a demagogue (or a puppet) can push a democratic nation towards totalitarianism….
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*For example, “Sometimes Churchill will talk back, sometimes he won’t, depending upon the stress of the moment, but he is a constant reminder of what a great leader is like.” — Dubya’s assessment of Winston Churchill, who has been deceased for 35 years. Washington, DC, July 16, 2001