Every decent American should have viewed the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war on March 19 with shame and revulsion.

Bush administration armchair warriors came to office in 2001 determined to take over Iraq. Discussions to acquire this prize began even before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks unleashed the full fury of their lies, duplicity, propaganda and fear tactics to launch their unprovoked attack on a defenseless country.

Anyone who seriously followed the run-up to the war during 2002 could determine the impending war was made up and would lead to ruin for Iraq and America.

Yet a fawning, unquestioning press and a populous skillfully manipulated with fear, hatred, revenge and, for good measure, tax cuts went along for the war ride to glory, which now sucks the life from our economy and worldwide moral standing.

We didn’t know the Bush administration was composed of liars, thugs and war criminals when we first elected them in 2000. We certainly had enough information to make that judgment in 2004.

Instead, we senselessly gave them four more years to continue their murder and mayhem unchallenged by an equally shameful and disreputable Congress, which shovels $12 billion monthly to continue these crimes so they won’t be accused of deserting our soldiers.

Those soldiers were deserted on day one by traitorous leaders who launched a war that isn’t worth one drop of our precious blood or one dollar of our limited treasure.

Sadly, as our over-extended military suffers decline, and the meter on the biggest military blunder in American history approaches $1 trillion, Bush’s heir apparent John McCain thinks another 95 years in Iraq suits us just fine.

Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn