...collateral damage...
Shaun and others, I appreciate your sentiment about "the innocent victims". Ten years ago, I also thought to myself, "Boy Desert Storm sure was nice. We didn't destroy very many things that weren't specifically intended. I bet the Iraqi citizenry sort of appreciate that. We kicked their collective ***, but we did it tidy. "
However, it's become abundantly apparent to me that a "common Joe" here, and a "common Abdullah" there are not superimposable mirror images of each other. There, naturally, are certain inescapable human similarities. There are also differences so glaring as to never be reconcilable. Here are a few.
We like life, and consider it a blessing.
They consider life to be a burden, and that they are the only ones worthy of possessing it, but, a burden, just the same. They'll take yours, assuming you go straight to hell, and if it's in a suicide bombing, or a suicide hijack/crash, they assume they go to Allah.
We consider warfare to be reserved for the warriors. Warriors we define as persons specifically trained in the proper conduct of warfare. We generally reserve the responsibility of potentially taking another's life for people who are old enough to appreciate "all that life has to offer". In doing so, the soldier feels the weight of his decision when he does administer death to an adversary, and does so, only when necessary, and never with a sense of joy or euphoria.
They consider any boy old enough to tie his own turban and point an AK to be a soldier. With any training at all, he's considered to be one of Allah's chosen Holy Warriors. By operating in that manner, they cheapen Human Life to the level of a goat, pig, or snake. How can one who has not experienced life place any value on it? Teach him to hate and kill before he's had a chance to love and live. They call the product of this environment a Mujihadeen. We call him zealot.
You have read internet postings, newspapers, American Literature of many different styles and flavors, from Twain to Fitzgerald to Clancy to Larry Flynt. Because of this, you have the ability to see issues from many perspectives simultaneously.
He's read the Koran. He has one perspective, and your view is not in it.
You are an American. You are Israel's ally. You are the Infidel. Note the wording: not "an infidel", but "the Infidel".
He is convinced that Israel should be utterly exterminated. That means the entirety of Jacob's family. Even the descendants that have converted to Christianity, if identifiable. Even the descendants that have converted to Buddhism, if identifiable.
Even the ones that have converted to Islam, if identifiable. Even the descendants that took up Atheism, if identifiable. This extermination desire is best summed up this way: "I'm going to kill you, your whole family, and anyone who's ever known, known of, heard of, seen, or spoken to any of you. " In short, if one single molecule of Jacob ben(bar?) Isaac's DNA exists in a living human, that human must die.
Refer to the paragraph above where I mentioned the two differences of "warrior".
We consider the "human shield" to be the refuge of a coward.
He considers use of same to be an opportunity to share the Glory.
We get squeamish about striking at an enemy when he's utilizing a "human shield". He knows this, and, utilizes it.
The very citizens behind which he hides support his plan, and jeer us as cowards when we are reluctant to take their lives to obtain his, and they are not thankful to us for sparing them (refer now to my comparison of "life").
I suspect that the "human shield" strategy may never work again.
The world may consider that to be "cruel and unusual".
Cruel? How? We're sending them to Allah!
Unusual? If it happens often enough, it won't be "unusual" anymore, will it?
Stoop to their level? No. They've been warned, in no uncertain terms, that our view of, and attitude toward, the activities of the terrorist has now changed. We no longer consider this activity as a crime. We now consider it the same way they always have. Warfare. No cryptic reference that could be misconstrued. "Hunted down and punished" has, to me, no loophole for double meaning or misinterpretation. There have been other phrases like that in the recent addresses. "We will make no distinction between the terrorist, and the country that harbors him. " Again, I see no loophole. Do you? How about this one? "God may have mercy on your souls. We... . will not. " Again, no double-talk.
We, however, have not received warnings of that quality and clarity. Will we stoop? Yes, to some degree, in comparison to ur earlier efforts. Even by comparison our "stooping" still will not be as low as those who are our enemies.
Quoting our favorite truck company: "The Rules Have Changed"
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
