The basic fault in the Bush Doctrine and in Norman Podhoretz’s praise of it is that they both assume a state’s or people’s right to perfect security or 100% safety. This is impossible, because not everyone can simultaneously have such a right and still remain free. To get 100% security, a state has to defeat and control its neighbors and eventually every last one of them. Even then, it won’t be 100% secure until it controls every rebellious element under its flag. Extremism in defense of 100% security is a vice: wicked and immoral behavior. Such extremism stems from an … Continue reading The Right to 100% Security?