Goldsmith describes an administration that seems to cherish blind loyalty to the boss, a lack of legal integrity, and a desire to act unilaterally.

The legal reality Addington and those who think like him desire Unilateral absolute power in the Executive branch. That power, they think, allows the President to act unilaterally as a country in the international sphere. Worse, to act unilaterally as a single branch of government for the country.

Goldsmith labels Addington’s arguments as short-sighted. They are short-sighted. Addington and those who think like him only see the present. In less than 17 months a different president will weld the power created during this presidency. Power that may land in the hands of a liberal Democrat.

In addition, the kinds of arguments Addington put forth tears away at the Constitutional protections for American citizens and foreigners that are protected. Those arguments also weaken the protections for the US military.

Goldsmith’s book seems to reiterate a trend of blind loyalty and short-sighted behavior.

Yes, you put in words what I was also thinking. This "cowboy" mentality of going it alone and not concerning oneself with the other branches of government or other governments across the globe and the political spectrum. To be so certain that you are right that you are blind to any other consideration.

Congress and the Supreme Court are co-equal branches of government. Not---as the Bush Administration seems to believe--lesser branches. And our nation has a commitment and responsibility to other countries around the world not to go on military adventures that put them in compromising positions, costing their citizens money and lives. Or stretching their economic resources to the breaking point.

Take the small example of wartime refugees, for example. What happens when citizens have to give up their lives and move to other countries during times of war and ethnic violence? Their lives are disrupted forever...jobs, education, homes...all the things that we Americans take for granted as part of a secure life, gone. The costs cannot be calculated. How can we sleep at night knowing the lives we've disrupted and ruined by not thinking through the costs of war? The collateral damage. The unintended consequences.

The framers of the Constitution, having observed the monarchies and tyrannies of Europe, knew very well that rights given up or taken away were very hard to get back. Right; the rival party can come to executive power, and then how acceptable to the defeated party are recently expanded executive powers? If a Democrat is elected President in 2008, watch the Republicans in Congress cry for legislation to roll back presidential power.

The redefinition of war by President Bush and his camp has been useful in their grab for unlimited Article II powers.