"You seem to believe that when this undeclared, border-less, endless war is "over", that we will magically return to some sylvan republic that only exists in the history books no longer taught in public schools."
Well, I don't recall harking back to any sylvan republics, although we really did have one once.
I'll tell you when you will know this "undeclared, borderless, endless war is over," though. A while back the media clowns were fond of asking "How will we know when (if) we have won?" I was shocked but not surprised at the ahistorical quality to the question.
The answer is, When I can drive up to the airport, check in at the counter, walk with my carry-on to the departure gate with my family, and not have to go through a security checkpoint or a metal detector or answer any stupid questions by federal schmucks.
It really used to be that way, and not so long ago--I flew like that, as did many others here I'm sure. And although I may never see it again, that's the way to know the war has been won.
I remember those times too. I remember when you could smoke on planes and trains, before we came under the fist of hysterical over-reactors who want to dictate every facet of public and private life.
A government so concerned with my personal safety that it will arrest and heavily fine me for not wearing a seatbelt, but was asleep at the wheel the day kamikazi jetliners slammed into New York and Washington undetected and unopposed.
Sorry, it just boggles the mind.