"I think both you and gbaikie are grossly overestimating the power of the media to change very basic behaviour."

I agree. [Even the part about me- I mean somehow I must have given you this impression:)]

"...it's about the media being on the other side, which ... they have been for thirty years.

So clearly they're not having much success. Bush was still able to commit us to a war that had nothing to do with our security or survival."

I agree that they have had little effect. Now if the media had higher approval than Bush, it might be different. And probably more important the media [itself] could get more in terms of revenue. Though I disagree in regards to what Bush is doing is against America's national interest

"I think America's willingness to exercise the military option is actually a basic and profound aspect of our national character. It's very unlikely to change anytime soon, regardless of what the media says or does. And after the events of the past six years, does anyone, anywhere in the world, have any lingering doubts about America's willingness to use violence?"

Gosh, I hope not. But there are some really stupid people ruling various countries.

"However, having said that, do we really want to be a people that go to war easily?"

Well, that's one reason the people in America don't actually decide this- this is a decision that only the US president can make- though Congress can declare war, and eventually probably impeach a president for failing to do his duty if this was a clear enough breach in that responsibility [This hasn't ever happened, btw- but in theory it's possible].

BUT I don't think any Democracy has ever been one that goes to war easily- so I don't think there is much danger of this. Though there is normally a lot of excitement about the idea of ending the war. For example with success of Gulf war I there was a fair amount of public pressure finish off Saddam, so as to end that war. And you had situation with Korea, and Douglas MacArthur wanting to engage the Chinese. Patton wanting to attack the goddamn Russians. And lots of other examples. In hindsight it's debatable. But in each those examples the US president restrained the miltary.