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Wednesday 26 March 2008

Americans have a historic mistrust of standing armies, but like many republics throughout history, we were born of war and generals command our affection. Washington, Jackson, Taylor, Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Eisenhower all ascended to the presidency. But the Constitution was never weakened and threatened as it is today. We don’t face a military coup. We do face an unthinking embrace of the military. We are backing into imperial responsibilities without even discussing the consequences. It takes on an especially spookily Roman quality to see the bread and circuses go on at home while our legions fight far away, the duties and responsibilities of citizens increasingly forgotten. Rogue Columnist

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