I understand their logic, but I think you will see an uprising in the US if we are attacked and do not respond.
It was bad enough when GW wussed out over the aircraft that was forced down.
Open navigation of sea lanes is a big deal. And not one we can just allow to be taken from all countries.
And not something the USN will cede to China, or Obama.
70% of the population are sissies and punks; I don’t think there would be an uprising, in fact I think they would use the standard bullying tactics to try to silence those who would. The media would present the Chinese perspective; US military incursion on their soverign territorial waters. If Pearl Harbor occurred today, they would be protesting in the streets and blaming us for not letting the Japs have access to oil. Only conservatives seem to understand that America has a right and duty to defend her own interests, but we are a minority.