That's not "hero worship", Mr. Perlstein. It's just a collective sigh of relief we have someone w/brass cojones and a strong sense of "right" in the White House. He leads. Lincoln was hated - HATED - in the north. But he did what he had to. Only as an example, which you already know but is relevant, the Civil War did not start out as a fight against slavery but became one. We have ended the regime of a butcher in Iraq, who would have been followed by his equally evil sons at his death. You know about them, I'm sure. Iraq is not pretty right now, but neither was Germany or France (which we helped liberate, and aren't they the greatful nation?). Give Iraq the time, they will be FREE to practice their religion and have "regular" lives, and they're on their way now even as we speak. Maybe even one like you have where you can write whatever you believe, right or wrong, and not have your hands cut off or your children raped in front of you if the Dictator doesn't agree. Your world is not one I ever want to experience. I hope I never do.
Max, he has yet to experience any atrocity you described...that is the "beauty" of liberalism in American...the haves telling the have nots how to live....its scary but freedom will prevail and we shall be on the RIGHT side of history : ) People applauded john wilkes booth..now he is scorned....history is not kind to traitors despots and their supporters of sheep....