Maybe it's because I'm older, and I've actually seen the historical results of actions we've taken, but I think Iraq was how we over-reacted to 9/11. When 9/11 happened, I quickly wondered how we'd over-react. There is no telling how we would over-react to a terrorist nuke.
When the Iranian students took our entire embassy hostage, I was mad as hell. I thought we should nuke Tehran, and just write off the hostages. As, Day NNN of the "Hostage Crisis" ticked by and we seemed to do nothing, Jimmy Carter sunk lower and lower in my and the nation's esteem. He finally mounted a failed rescue attempt, but it was too little too late. I thought he was our worst President ever.
With 30 years perspective, I see that if he had invaded Iran, all the hostages would probably be dead, along with a lot of other people. Those hostages owe their lives to Carter's restraint. It might not have been the best course for America, but it was the best course for the hostages. |
