This is a great example of how the most dangerous people are the ones who think themselves the most virtuous. The sense of high principle justifies the response. Even one that in and of itself is evil.
The Republican administration was cured of its humanity by its sense of self-righteousness. But that is precisely when you need it.
We see Bin Laden as a wicked guy but he was animated by exactly the same equation. As he saw it, Islam was under attack by the US. So the affront justified his reaction.
The only possible end to this kind of virtue-driven evil-response behaviour is actually not to let the other lot make you act the same way.
What is interpreted as weakness is strength, and what is interpreted as strength is control of the narrative by your adversary.
There's some wisdom in the notion of avoiding the eye for an eye cycle.
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