I got into a big debate with my dad yesterday. He said we are at war. I said, are we? What makes me not think so is if we were, there would be no invasion from the Southern border. Our borders would be secure.
We are not in a real war. Or if we are, it has some bizarre attributes, such as our open border across which our enemy could potentially cross on a mission to damage us from within. I'd like to think that our President who has studied the Bible, isn't too stupid to recognize the value of a secure border in wartime, or even in peacetime.
Your good question gives me another moment's emphathy for Pres. Bush.
AT THE SAME TIME, he is being criticized harshly BOTH for prosecuting this war single-handedly and bull-headedly, AND for not prosecuting it vigorously enough. IOW, he's BOTH too aggressive, and not aggressive enough. Cannot win.
That's part of his dilemma, I think. He's not a monarch. The country is split. He's doing a lot, regardless; but needs to do more -- yet without united support from the free citizenry?
I agree with your basic point. My answer is, "We're at war -- kinda."
I blame Bush some, I blame citizens and pols a lot.