[Homer_J_Simpson]

The inability to distinguish evil from good, and then the failure to fight evil in the world, is actually more dangerous than a policy of "pre-emption" in fighting evil.

Agreed. I just pray that we are collectively wise enough to select political leaders who can identify evil and know how to go after it. I'm afraid it's something of a crap shoot when I consider they kinds of people we have elected during my lifetime.

[My2Cents]

I think in times of grave danger, we have seen, for want of a better term, the Hand of Providence guide whom we've had at the helm. Can you imagine Jimmy Carter or Walter Mondale in the Oval Office? The Soviet Union would still exist! Of course, Gore as President on and after 9/11? The Taliban would still be around.