Now, I am not saying this situation is remotely like that one; Assad is not likely to Pearl Harbor us even if he wants to, and we ARE likely to have plenty of time and warning before he gains that ability. The point is we live in a republic rather than democracy precisely because the majority is not always right (something the German electorate underscored differently shortly before 1940.) Just because the majority do/not want something does not mean the country should/not do it. American majorities have supported slavery, prohibition and more than a few ill-advised military campaigns. That did not make any of them moral or wise, and many things that were both did not suddenly cease to be either when public support vanished.