Originally Posted by rickholio

I supported the first gulf war because it was a clear case of transnational agressive acts that needed a slapdown. Don't talk like you know me 'bub', you have no fucking clue.

Additionally, even if 'people like me' swayed your former president into pulling out, it was ultimately his decision. Don't blame others for the perceived failures of your paragons of virtue.

Personally, I think the senior Bush saw the flypaper effect (on US troops, not on terrorists) and wanted none of it. He, at least, was mature enough to see what clusterfucks the vietnam and soviet afghanistan campaigns were and had no desire to repeat them. The lessor bush apparently didn't learn that lesson, even when counseled by his father... trusting the voices in his head (let's charitably call it "god talking to him") rather than the wisdom of his progenitors.