Three years ago the president, in a Schwarzeneggeresque performance, complete with a crotch-hugging Top Gun costume, and a really boffo entrance on a bunting-draped carrier flight deck proclaimed to the world - "Mission Accomplished". Even at the time skeptics, unimpressed by the American media 's giddy delight with the glitz and glitter, soberly asked - "Just what mission is that, George?"

We now understand what the mission was; to launch America unabashedly on the road to dictatorial rule and perpetual warfare.

Just like dictators throughout history President Bush arrogates power to himself by instilling, then exploiting fear in the people. Then, like Dudley Do-Right, he presents himself as especially anointed to save the people from the dreaded, but unseen (indeed, invisible) archenemy - "terrorism!"

He has assumed powers specifically denied him by the constitution and international law, which by treaty obligation have the same authority as the constitution: spying on citizens in the absence of a court order, holding people incommunicado for years with no criminal charges, seizing people and spiriting them to foreign countries to be tortured, and the supreme crime against humanity - making an unprovoked war of aggression against a sovereign nation. In his arrogance he has even threatened nuclear war against Iran because he supposes that by and by they might want to develop a weapons capability on a par with that of nearby countries: India, Pakistan and Israel.

There was a time not too long ago when it would have been unthinkable that America could be universally regarded as an international pariah. Yet today, even our former closest allies are dismayed at what we have become - a rogue state bent on imposing its will on the whole world at any cost whether of treasure or lives.

Congratulations might be due, but no thanks will be forthcoming for accomplishing your mission, George.