But of course, Drudge will use it to freak out conservatives and right wing conspiracy theorists into thinking Obama is playing a Chávez-like take over of congress, et al.

but don't want to go on a "war footing." They had better make up their minds because if they insist on going to war and if Iran insists on going to war, then, yes, the government will pretty much take over the economy.

Roosevelt did it in WWII -- and we won. In subsequent wars and conflicts, the government did not take charge of much in the economy -- and we lost.

So, Republicans -- what do you want? Free enterprise or war with Iran?

A war with Iran would take all of our resources.

Sickens me, just the thought of it.

Drudge is mentioned in the article btw. *surprise* not

Obama claimed to have found him and therewith ended all the Bin Laden scare stories.

If Iran and the Republicans push too hard for war, they will get full-out war. That is how I gauge Obama. He fights to win, no holds barred. The Republicans will rue the day they push us into war -- as will Iran.

I would like to see us avoid confrontation with Iran, but if Obama and his team decide to fight Iran, attacks will be unexpected and over-powering for the Iranian military. That is what I would expect.

It's based in part on the Defense Production Act of 1950, which mobilized America for the Korean War. Basically that law granted the Executive branch of government broad authority in the economy: to compel businesses to sign contracts to produce goods for the national defense, to set wage and price controls, especially on raw materials, and to even requisition property that might be useful for national defense.

The Act has been reauthorized and passed through Congress many times, most recently in 2008 by President Bush, who had previously re-authorized it in 2003. President Clinton did the same in 1994.'

This Edwin Black seems to have missed something in the translation, imo.