It is as clear as crystal that the United States, with the support of the British government, if not the British people, is about to embark on the Second US-Iraq war. In the First US-Iraq war, conducted by the President's father a decade ago, the justification for the United States to act was clear and unequivocal. The Iraqi army had invaded one country and was poised to invade another. Still it took the United States 6 months to marshal the overwhelming force that made it possible to achieve the limited objective set out for General Swartzkopf in 6 short weeks.

It was easy to convince the American people that sending troops after Bin Laden was the right thing to do. Even superannuated liberals were anxious to hit back after watching the World Trade Center collapse along with America's innocence. We all wanted to see the Texas Ranger smoke 'em out and bring 'em in. It sounded good, just like John Wayne used to. Except, the Duke always got his man. That's Hollywood. This is real life and there is only one take. If we invade Iraq, it will be lots of real lives.

President Bush has his work cut out for him. He must convince the American people that the investment in lives that it will take to take down Iraqi will be worth it and he must do so before he sends in the Marines. This isn't Bin Laden. It isn't Afghanistan. It isn't "war" against a shadowy cadre of fanatics. The President is talking about initiating a war against a sovereign nation. It may be a rogue nation, led by a totalitarian dictator, but it is a sovereign nation that has had 10 years to prepare to continue the war we thought was over 10 years ago.

It is time for the George W. Bush to stop being a Texas Ranger and start being our President. If he has decided that the vital interest of the United States compels this nation to go to war with Iraq then he must have the courage to take that lonely trip down Pennsylvania Avenue. Lay out his case to the American People, and ask their Congress for a Declaration of War. When he obtains it he must have the political courage to mobilize this nation and its economic might as well as its armed forces to wage that war to conclusion. Nothing less will do.