Now do Afghanistan/Iraq prior to 9/11. Now do Desert Storm prior to Kuwait. Now do Vietnam prior to Gulf of Tonkin. Now do WWI prior to the Lusitania. Now do Boxer Rebellion prior to Siege of the International Legations. Now do Spanish-American War prior to the Maine exploding. Now do numerous American-Indian wars prior to gold discoveries, and massacres of pioneers (at times in response to provocation) Now do Rebellion of 1860 prior to Fort Sumter. Now do Mexican-American War prior to Polk illegally sending Taylor into disputed Mexican territory. Now do War of 1812 prior to Chesapeake–Leopard affair. Now do American Revolution prior to Boston Massacre or Lexington & Concord.

The point? Since our nation's founding (even prior with French & Indian War) Americans have been pushed into supporting wars always resulting from dramatic events. These were real events, though some were manipulated into occuring, BUT there's always one common denominator: MEDIA whipping up support for military action.