My wife and I love Tony Bennett. At our wedding, we picked his version of “When Will the Bells Ring For Me?” as one of our songs. When we invite guests for dinner, we always cue up “Perfectly Frank” — a collection of Bennett interpretations of signature Frank Sinatra songs

Recently, Bennett ruffled feathers by stating that, somehow, the United States “provoked” 9/11. He also added that at some point — in a conversation with George W. Bush — Bush admitted to “having made a mistake.” It was unclear as to precisely what mistake — there were so many — but back to the provocation concept.

Somehow, those who want to do us such harm have been provoked in some way to launch brazen attacks on our country. I don’t think “they” just woke up one day and said, “Let’s get America.” Perhaps our proliferation of military bases in every corner of the world, our insistence on racking up more medals than other participants in the Olympics. Something spooked ’em into thinking less of us.

With China now becoming a world superpower, maybe we’d do well to sneak out of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Everywhere-else-stan, and rebuild our own nation, keeping a low profile for a spell. Pay some bills. Spend some of our military budget replacing our own ramshackle schools, bridges and roads.

“60 Minutes” recently aired a segment featuring Sgt. Dakota Meyer, who received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama. At the conclusion, David Martin asked him if he thought — in the two years since his “insanely” heroic actions — that the war and the loses incurred had been worth it.

Meyer hesitated, then looked squarely into Martin’s eyes and said; “No.”

Buddy Doyle

Gardiner

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