“Wag the dog” is an old expression which means that a small, unimportant thing or issue (the tail) overrides a larger, more important entity (the dog). But since the film “Wag the Dog” came out — very successfully — in 1997, it’s had a more specific meaning. In that film, the U.S. president distracts the public from a sex scandal involving an underage girl by attacking an innocent enemy, in this case Albania. His tactic succeeds.

While the nation of Iran is not wholly innocent — its ruler, the Ayatollah Khamenei, both oppressed his own nation and threatened others — the scenario is all too familiar. Recently, Pres. Trump and his so-called Dept. of Justice has come under increasing pressure to release ALL the Epstein files. Currently, the ones mentioning Trump have been redacted. What better way to distract than for the president to suddenly declare war? Many have transformed the military title of this attack, “Operation Epic Fury,” to “Operation Epstein Fury.”

Trump’s justifications for attacking Iran have varied tremendously in the last few days, ranging from pre-empting it from attacking the United States, to protecting Israel, to “advancing U.S. national interests,” to toppling the “lunatic” Khamenei. In the process, bombs have been dropped indiscriminately — the worst case known so far killed over 100 girls in their school. Trump’s government has no plans to protect U.S. citizens in the area. Thousands of them are striving to leave, but airports are closed and planes are not available.’

There is very weak evidence for most of these claims. Before the attacks, talks with Iran were ongoing and productive. Yesterday, Trump admitted that many of his preferred new leaders had been killed in the bombing campaigns. The Constitution of the United States gives Congress, not the President, the power to declare war. Unfortunately, in recent decades, presidents have pre-empted that power, claiming that an “emergency” exists and that it necessitates their immediate action. But that is not the case now. Instead, Trump’s actions most resemble that of many authoritarian governments. To strengthen their hold, they declare war, hoping that national pride and patriotism will support their regime. I deeply believe that is what’s happening now.

Are there any remedies? One would be for the Republican Congress to oppose the president. Given their previous actions, this seems unlikely. However, the approaching mid-term elections may persuade some to cater to their constituents, 80% of whom oppose this war, according to recent polls. Almost all Democrats oppose it.

And the fact that the population is against it gives us hope. Here, Minnesota has led the way. Despite the immense presence of ICE in that state, which led to at least two murders, Minnesotans organized and rebelled against those forces, which finally had to leave. A few weeks from now, on March 28th, the third No Kings March will take place. Organizers hope that it will be the largest demonstration in American history. May this happen and may it end this horrible war. You can easily find a group marching near you. Join it and make our opposition felt!