Cheer and cheer.

Editor,

I find it interesting that the NYT refers to the president as commander in chief. Yes, this is one of the president's duties, but gradually, as the United States has become ever more militarized, the president has increasingly become identified with this imperial role.

From the constitutional perspective, our president is the chief executive, and his duty is to execute the laws. The laws, like ratified torture treaties, for example, have become incrementally not the duty that our president faithfully executes but obstacles in the path of our heroic chief warrior.

Are we a nation of warriors? No. We are fat, lazy spectators who cheer and cheer when our Rambos blow things up and kill a lot of people.

re: "Alexander M. Haig Jr., Commanding White House Aide, Dies at 85" (2/21/2010)