JPod: My only point was–I am sorry I did not make it clearer–that the U.S. public will tolerate mission creep if they believe they are in a “crisis war” — one where national survival is at stake — and if not, not. That, it seems to me (though only if it’s true of course!) refutes the Prof.’s argument.

If we are fighting a crisis war in Iraq, let’s fight it with crisis-war methods, as we always have done in the past.

If the Iraq war is not a crisis war (I believe it is not) then let’s not be surprised or indignant if the U.S. public regards mission creep with disfavor. As, according to the polls, they increasingly do.

That’s all.