That is an astute observation, and based on historical precedent seems correct. I will add that historical precedent also suggests that a war can be pursued for a considerable time even after citizen sentiment has obviously turned against it. When there is both pride and money at stake, the will of the people, if it is counter to government action, is ignored, and this can potentially continue until there is either financial ruin or a revolution.
The unfortunate thing in the case of the U.S. is that Einstein's observation, {i}viz.,[/i] that doing the same thing but expecting different results is a sign of insanity, is being ignored.
We see the first sign of citizen revolt in the rise of the Tea Party. These folks may be largely dim-witted and deranged, but the reason they are popping up is obvious.
