Small state, big roar

The issue of Iraq may pose more of a threat to the tranquility of our Union than the country ever did under Saddam. Americans are tired of the global democracy project, and our leaders in D.C. are too stubborn to admit they're creating an anvil that can break this fragile empire-that-dares-not-speak-its-name.

Fed up that Washington hasn’t done more to end the war, a group of Vermont lawmakers said Tuesday that the president no longer has the authority to use Guard troops in Iraq.

State Rep. Michael Fisher, D-Lincoln, said the authority to call up Guard members for Iraq duty has expired because that country no longer poses a threat to U.S. national security.

“The mission authorized in 2002 does not exist,” said Fisher, who plans to introduce a bill backed by 30 colleagues Wednesday that calls on Gov. Jim Douglas to join the effort. “Unless Congress grants a new authorization, the Vermont Guard should revert back to state control.”

Fisher said similar proposals were being considered by lawmakers in Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island...

It's worth noting that while today's pureed history portrays the War to Nationalize the Union as a fight against Southern slavery, only the "Deep South" seceded upon Lincoln's election. The "Border States" -- slave states all -- only seceded after Lincoln called on the States to provide 100,000 soldiers for his Perpetual Union project. If the Iraq adventure were to result in States reasserting more control over how their forces are used, it would at least salvage something worthwhile from what seems an increasingly futile project.