Zinni's argument was the same one Clinton used, which only cost us 3,000 civilians and $100 billion. And the hit on the Cole. And the hits on our embassies. And the hits on our servicemen in Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
If U.S. civilians aren't worth the lives of a few "dead servicemen, why bother with defending the Country at all. I guess the issue is whether it's better to take the fight to the enemy, and fight on their tuff, or fight on U.S. soil. Or, whether anything is worth fighting for. Or, whether you'd only fight wars led by Democrats.
SFS - CDR, USNR