>>It "could have" been a much quicker war. You can't blame Safire for that one. Bush and the men at the controls? Sure....Safire? No way
There shouldn't have been a war at all, with the whole premise based on "no question about that" (NQAT) proofs. Safire was one of the most eager beaters of the drums of war. BF is right that the world is a more dangerous place because of it and the most logical response: NQAT me once, shame on you. NQAT me twice, shame on me. Which is why NQAT tactics against Trump are strengthening him. The more they beat their drums of deception against him, the greater his support.
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1