The last time this happened was 20 years ago, when Congress granted President George W. Bush the power to launch a military attack against Iraq.

The theme was “a war on terror.” The excuse was “weapons of mass destruction.” The investment for the US was $2+ trillion and the deployment of more than 100,000 troops.  The result was the death of as many as 700,000 Iraqis, the displacement of millions more, a civil war between Shias and Sunnis, and regional instability that is still a problem today.

I remember listening to the coverage in the months leading to our attack. I was surprised at the common sentiment. It seemed like just about everyone in the media and in Congress was in favor of a military invasion.

For me, it was a lose-lose situation. But since everyone else seemed to feel a war was justified, I felt uncomfortable saying what I thought.

I feel the same way now about all the rhetoric about Russia’s plans for Ukraine. Biden was criticized by both sides for suggesting the US might respond to Russia’s actions in a measured way. His statement was seen as a capitulation and a sign of his weakness. I’m thinking it was one of the most sensible things he’s said since taking office.

Ukraine has no “strategic value” for the US. It means nothing to us if they are admitted to NATO. Have we not learned, from losing every war we’ve fought since WWII, that fighting proxy wars over “freedom” benefits nobody but the military-industrial machine?

What am I missing?