>None of that changes the difference between making an EDUCATED decision vs one that is not.

It's a heavy read, but you might want to check out The Best And The Brightest by the late David Halberstam.
It tells how the some of the most experienced, respected and most EDUCATED people in the US advised LBJ to make his Vietnam blunders.

You don't need an education to know that it was crazy to send US troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Syria.
You don't need an education to know that it's crazy for the US to spend on more military matters than the next 7 countries combined.
What happens Is more important than who makes it happen, Victor.
If it's crazy, it's crazy.