We stayed out of WWII until we were attacked. We were working very hard to reach a diplomatic solution to our conflict with Japan. Despite the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it was the right thing to do. War should never be undertaken unless absolutely necessary. When that point is reached is highly subjective, and depends on the specific situation. It requires a statesman and a diplomat, like FDR, or JFK, not an incompetent, short sighted, intellectually challenged huckster like GWB.