Sounds like an excuse to not get involved in something because our pattern of fucking things up.
You're absolutely 100% correct. Our track record is dismal. Out of the dozen of military or covert adventures the US undertook in the 20th century, maybe 2 or 3 turned out well. I'd guess the failure rate is >90%.
I prefer LBJ's approach (too bad he didn't follow his own advice): "But we are not about to send American boys 9,000 or 10,000 miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves.”"
Europe can handle it, let them. I'm ok if we sit this one out.
Inaction can mean things go sideway for us just as much as action does.