Agreed. That was the Reagan lesson. And Clintoon proved that the opposite tack invites more attacks. Always respond, and in this war which President George Bush recognized we HAVE to fight, hit back everywhere we can. I DO draw the line at genocide of an entire religion as much as I may dislike that religion. The Islamo-Fascists, sure. Not the rank and file, unless they are actively supporting them.
Agreed, nuclear weapons are and should remain an absolute last resort.