9/11 was an act of war as well as an act of terrorism. It was designed not only to humiliate and provoke the American nation but to cause enormous economic damage and loss of life as well. Perhaps the perpetrators were not a nation-state, but they were sheltered and aided by a nation state and its ruling clique, the Taliban. It also represents a global faction determined to destroy western civilization
in general, and the United States in particular, and who demonstrated the ability to do so. To refuse to exterminate these vermin and all those who support them would not only promote their growth and power, it would also be interpreted as cowardice and weakness by them, as well as by our allies.

I have never disputed the actions of the Bush administration in carrying out this war, I have only criticized the inept way it chose to do so, and its refusal to acknowledge the mistakes it made after they became obvious to everyone.

I agree the invasion of Iraq was not only immoral, illegal and unnecessary, but completely counter-productive; but at the time it occured this did not appear to be the case, at least to me. I long ago forgave the administration for that error. But there were no end of opportunities to extricate ourselves from that quagmire after it became obvious, and that is something I cannot forgive the administration, or its supporters.