Re: Crossing the line
I agree with you on all points, I supported Reagan in Libya, Bush I in Gulf I, Clinton in Sudan, and Bush II in Afghanistan and Gulf II. But Iraq was not fought to deter terrorism, it was some geopolitical chess game for Cheney, and Afghanistan was neglected so the GOP could save face in Iraq. Eventually, we lost our way because we forgot the mission: Hit hard, hit fast, hit often, then get out before the bad guys regroup. We went for it all, and eventually wound up with nothing. Even if we win militarily on our terms, we'll have nothing to show for it, no oil, no major bases, no dependable allies, nada.
Al-Quaeda's stated goal has always been to draw us in and bog us down in the middle east. So far they have succeed completely.