Brownshirts

Vietnam was the first war ever fought without any censorship. Without censorship, things can get terribly confused in the public mind
--General William Westmoreland

The defense policy of the United States is based on a simple premise: The United States does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor
--Ronald Reagan

As for Westmoreland's comment, boy, you can say that again.

More excursions down the rhetorical rabbit hole. The previously mentioned Ramadi article states: "They’re trying to gain the trust of friendly civilians, while at the same time delivering lethal force to the enemy."

Well if that's what they're about--deliveries--why don't they sign the UPS up for this? The uniforms are cheaper. The recipients would have to sign on the dotted line, so we could be sure we're delivering to the right person. And it'd be far cheaper than a $25 million reward. And I think that guys wearing shorts would help with the first part of the stated mission, "gain(ing) the trust of friendly civilians." Much less intimidating than full battle rattle.

In line with the whole sensitivity approach to the local population, the article also discusses the anti-Fallujah approach in Ramadi, which is trying to avoid civilian displacement and destruction of infrastructure.

“This is a whole different concept that leaves the city intact,” Maj. Matthew Van Wagen, executive officer of 1st Bn., 37th Armor, 1st Armored Division (AD) told the Mideast Stars and Stripes in August. “We’re doing this one block at a time, and it’s slow.”

However, we also read, "After more than two years of combat, Ramadi is a 'wasteland,' according to a Marine intelligence officer. Pools of sewage, piles of rubble, burned-out cars and partially destroyed buildings constitute the landscape."

It is hard to figure these things out.

by Lisa