Resistance increases by orders of magnitude in Iraq
Five attacks in 24 hours in Baghdad. Major damage and looss of life. Targets included the Red Cross and police (who insurgents see as collaboraters) and sent a clear message that 1) anyone supporting the U.S. or occupying the country are in danger, 2) they can attack at will and the US, despite its blustering, can do little to stop them.
Dozens killed by Baghdad bombs
More than 30 people are killed as the Red Cross building and several Iraqi police stations come under attack.
From Saul Alinksky’s “Rules for Radicals”, Alinksy being one of the best organizers the US has ever had – he invented what is now called “community organizing” in the 30’s in Chicago.
From his discussion of ends vs. means:
Judgment must be made in the context of the times the action occurred and not from any other vantage point.
The ethics of ends vs. means varies inversely with one’s distance from the scene of the conflict.
In war, the ends justify almost any means.
And in a classic Alinsky phrase
The ends-and-means moralists or non-doers always end up on their ends without any means.
His point being those in the middle of a conflict will view what tactics are permissible quite differently than those comfortably distant from the conflict, and that this is a simple observation of the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. Further, those on the periphery who wish to avoid getting involved will spend copious amounts of time pondering ends vs. means while those directly involved haven’t that luxury.