I'm not a historical buff so I can't even begin to touch on all the why's and wherefore's of past deeds/misdeeds of our previous presidents (well -- Clintoon would be a no-brainer).
I do however, strongly disagree with you about Bush. The terrorists acts of 9-11 was a declaration of war on our country, therefore we are at war. Their actions declared it, therefore we don't have to for it to be official that we are at war.
If we do not aggressively destroy every terrorist network around the world, then we invite more of the same. Surely you have seen how too many clerics in too many Islamic countries are raising their children from the cradle to the grave to hate and destroy America. It is the clerics in these countries who assume the task of education. The governing/business side of these countries look the other way because it has been an accepted practice that the two entities are separate and do not encroach upon each other's territory. These clerics must accept a major portion of the blame, but so should the governing parties who keep their people in such poverty that they are pleased to have the clerics give the people a common enemy to blame -- America.
What we have now is a whole generation of bin Laden's -- who would nuke us if he had the capability!! Billions of dollars of aid from America to these impoverished countries has changed nothing. Do you really think kind words and negotiations will have any effect? Or that taking out a minute handful of their leaders will not leave their followers lined up to do the same?
This vast network of terrorists are out to destroy us incrementally or massively according to their capabilities. They have 'sleeper cells here in our backyard just waiting for the right opportunity
So far, 'civil rights' violations have only applied to foreigners, and maybe a few foreign citizens who supported them. We have no idea how many planned terrorist attacks have been thwarted thanks to our new alertness and these new laws that are nothing more than common sense in times of war.
But I will be watching, like many others, to see if these new laws are taken advantage of, and if it comes to that, then I will speak out vociferously.
Funny thing,in a ironic sort of way, is just how many people here do the same thing.
Raise their children to hate America...the America that was 'given by God'...the America that was created so that each and everyone of us might be Free....The America that tried to make sure that any government wouldn't become a de-facto dictator.
redrock