A reader responds:
Good explanation of your position, J, and I respect it. But the sad truth is the sanctions regime (however corrupt and imperfect) would have kept Saddam boxed up at least a few years or so, during which we could have captured Bin Laden and the Taliban leader (he’s also still on the loose), cleaned up terrorists cells in Pakistan, closed down the money trail leading out of Saudi Arabia, and hopefully worked on the Israel-Palestinian problem. And don’t forget Korea. Instead, we are consumed with this huge problem that has eaten up our resources, stretched our army to the brink, thrown us deeply into debt, divided our nation, alienated our allies, and which lacks an end-game or clear sense of mission. And that’s when I’m feeling optimistic…..