Clue: Do a little research into the Kurds.

Before or after we got there?

24/7

By definition, wasn't that happening in Iraq?

Before or after we got there?

[W]hen genocide is happening, when ethnic cleansing is happening somewhere around the world and we stand idly by, that diminishes us

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By definition, wasn't that happening in Iraq?

[W]hen genocide is happening, when ethnic cleansing is happening somewhere around the world and we stand idly by, that diminishes us.

And so I do believe that we have to consider it as part of our interests, our national interests, in intervening where possible.

But understand that there's a lot of cruelty around the world. We're not going to be able to be everywhere all the time. That's why it's so important for us to be able to work in concert with our allies.

And here's what McCain said, in part:

The United States of America, Tom, is the greatest force for good, as I said. And we must do whatever we can to prevent genocide, whatever we can to prevent these terrible calamities that we have said never again [sic].

But it also has to be tempered with our ability to beneficially affect the situation. That requires a cool hand at the tiller. This requires a person who understands what our -- the limits of our capability are [sic].

I don't know if any of us could have answered that question any better. All anyone can say, in truth, is that we will (might) intervene when and if we determine it's in our national interest to do so. Radly's piece would have been more persuasive had he outlined what he thinks would be a good set of criteria. But Radly has a pretty pronounced isolationist/libertarian outlook on most things, so I really wouldn't expect him to argue, in any way, for intervention...anywhere.