Bob Herbert has it right: opportunities squandered.

[katkat]

"I’m starting the new year with the sinking feeling that important opportunities are slipping from the nation’s grasp. ...

Voters were primed at the beginning of the Obama administration for fundamental changes that would have altered the trajectory of American life for the better. Politicians of all stripes, many of them catering to the nation’s moneyed interests, fouled that up to a fare-thee-well.

Now we’re escalating in Afghanistan, falling back into panic mode over an attempted act of terror and squandering a golden opportunity to build a better society."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/opinion/05herbert.html

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Much like we squandered all the sympathy we received after 9/11.

[KoKo]

2. He reflects a sadness that many share with what we are seeing...

"This is a society in deep, deep trouble..." as he points out.

[Zenlitened]

3. Shhhh... don't use the "S" word.

Just kidding. :D

I agree with you, there is a deep current of sadness out there. Try to express it, though, and too often it's misconstrued as "hate."

[chimpymustgo]

4. Yes...it is profound sadness at a squandered once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we may have needed

to survive as a nation. It's gone.