End It

In violent times
You shouldn't have to sell your soul
In black and white
They really, really ought to know
--Tears for Fears

The judge observes that President Obama has an opportunity to reverse policies of imperilism that he has escalated thus far during his presidency. The Guantanamo detention center remains open; troop levels have increased in Afghanistan; 50,000 troops remain in Iraq; Libya, Pakistan, and Yemen have been invaded; and the Patriot Act remains in force.

On top of that, we have added $trillions in crippling debt to fund this effort.

Bin Laden and other terrorists have succeeded in manipulating us into sacrificing a central tenet of the United States that they truly despise: freedom. As we have frequently noted on these pages, there is a fundamental tradeoff between freedom and safety. The more we turn ourselves into a police state in an attempt to be safe, the less free we become.

The terrorists have obtained what they hoped for: America is less free than we were 10 years ago.

The death of bin Laden offers a chance to redeem these mistakes. True victory in the War on Terror means ending the war. A free society is the best response to perpetrators who wish to suppress liberty.

You can end it right here, Mr President.