It was easy to take them as role models for the balance of their marriage, the pleasure they appeared to take in their sons and their lack of sanctimoniousness.
More uncharitable persons may even see a touch of sanctimoniousness in your new belief in the carrot and stick approach to overcoming militancy and insurgency.
The sheer pointlessness of what is achieved -- or generally isn't achieved -- the inflated bills, the sanctimoniousness and bogusness of all those involved strikes me as almost criminal.