Paul Mirengoff: Why it's time to return to war against terrorism

Following the failed Christmas Day bombing of a Delta airliner, former Vice President Dick Cheney said President Obama does not consider the fight against terrorism to be war. Contesting this charge, the president cited his inaugural address. On that day, Obama insisted, “I made it very clear that our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred, and that we will do whatever it takes to defeat them.”

Having done virtually nothing to merit his ascent to the presidency other than give speeches and write books, Obama can be forgiven for confusing his rhetoric with reality. But Cheney can be forgiven for demanding better proof of Obama’s seriousness about combating terrorism than a speech he once gave.