What should the US do now? Probably leave, and don't go to war unless they are willing to fight it right. There is no reason that it should have gotten so out of hand.
Marriage is usually easier than virginity or cellabacy, that is probably why it would be placed below. Also you must look at what was happenning at that time to judge where their position was coming from.
New to Catholic Church from Lutheranism, I can't get used to reconcilliation. Confession to a priest I know just won't work in a small rural community.