US, China, and Space Weaponization

Last year, around August, the US government released a new space policy which they said was fairly similar to the rather benign policy written up by the Clinton administration. As a result, with little or no debate, this suggested policy became actual policy. However, had the media or Congress actually looked at it a bit more carefully, we would have seen that the Bush administration was hankering for a space war. The gist of the policy was, "No one should weaponize space except for when the US needs to do so for reasons of national security." That's not a direct quote but it's close enough.
Now, 4 months later, the Chinese just tested their first anti-satellite ballistic missile on January 11th and we're surprised. The Bush administration even says that "China's development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area." Spirit of cooperation?!?! We basically told the world we'll feel free to use space to attack anyone we want to attack - we'll just hide behind a vague, fear-induced version of national security. I'm angry at the Chinese for testing such a weapon but not surprised. If I were the Chinese government, I would have done the same, if only to show Washington what a dangerous national space policy they are pursuing. But what is sadder is that, despite a supposedly aggressive media and a democratic system in place, much of the US population probably has no idea what brought on such an action on the part of the Chinese.
We share the blame for the portentous situation we are in today.