"The obfuscation, prevarication, manipulation of information, failure to respond to legitimate queries of the Senate -- this is a long-standing pattern that is consistent with their attitudes toward their responsibilities and the philosophy that governs their behavior across both domestic and foreign policy arenas." No, a rather normal approach of Presidents since Jefferson's day. And it is not partisan politics - Presidents have done it to Congresses of their own party - LBJ is a recent example, but those of you who know American history will know that Jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln all did it in the 1800's. The list is long. While I agree that Bush is following an illiberal line, I would not bet that the argument you wish to make on values and moral clarity will fly, however: The values are "The jihadi menace is an evil attack on civilisation itself" The moral "clarity" is: "The jihadis will be destroyed and trying to use our laws against us will not work for them." Do really think there is no constituency for this argument? Dean's world has a long post on Cleaning up Dodge which argues that democracy is a bottom up phenomenon. This has interesting ramifications for Iraq and other places.