To what use the Military?

In September 2001, GW Bush had yet to use the military. Since then, in direct respose to attacks upon our homeland, Bush has eliminateed two despotic regimes and liberated 50 million people.

In contrast, Bill Clinton's major military adventures in Haiti, Serbia, and Iraq, were not based upon any threat, real or overt, to the United States. Indeed, Clinton proclaimed that the use of military power in the absence of national interest represented "America at its best."

In my mind, this is a core schism between liberal and conservative thought. Liberals believe power projected for altruistic goals is morally superior to power projected in self-interest. Conservatives believe that our military might is our line of defense against real enemies, and its use requires no more justification than a threat to our vital interests. To little surprise, I tend to agree with the latter view.