My comments on the comments above by Will S are that this country always needs solid kick in the ass before acting becomes becomes acceptable to the general public and has proved so historically. Look at the Lusitania, The USS Maine,Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Unfortunately, monumental loss of life has acompanied those historical events If GWB were to have made preemptive strikes he would have been crucified by the opposition as a war monger and one that was afraid to "negotiate" with our adversaries. I am sure you all know what I mean. There is no easy answer, when it is your ass in the Oval office. I can not imagine the pressure or how easy we all think it is to "pull the trigger" on any decision. This ain't like shooting pheasants or skeet....... There is tremendous pressure by advisors and adversaries alike. The pressure must be very, very difficult to bear. I also feel that they are receiving more information than we can ever imagine, such information that is still classified and some that has no place (in my opinion) in the public domain. We as a nation bear responsibility no matter how minute an idividual's part may be.

My humble 2 cents