I think we lost sight of our goal even under Bush.
The goal was not to build a stable, democratic nation. It was to eliminate the ability of the taliban (and other terrorists) to use the country as a base of operations (including training.)
We should have learned from the Russians’ experience that the geography and culture of the country makes dominating it militarily difficult (to impossible.)
The type of victory Obama is pushing for can not be achieve (imho.) This is the same as what the Russians tried, and it failed.
I know you're right. What should have ensued after 9/11 would have been the immediate bombing of Saudi Oil fields, the destruction of Iraq's nuclear facilities and, just for the hell of it, Libya's 'presidential palace'.The order to begin exploration in our own land would have been immediately given and if the supply of oil would have a glitch....the American People would have understood.
Unfortunately, there was a weeks long lag after the butchery in New York. Nobody, outside of the inner circle, knew what was going to happen. Then, when the attack began, I knew that the wrong target had been selected.
I'm not a Bush hater, but I realize that he was either misguided, or he, himself, hadn't a clue as to which evil arab nation he should have dealt punishment.