E-mail:

“Mr Lowry,
You usually have good perspective but I think your assessment of our situation following the Fallujah atrocity is off base.
While, I share the rage I am confident that our response will be effective and appropriate and largely off camera.
I suspect some of what you describe as a lack of response to the atrocity can be explained as part of the CF that happens in a warzone. Also, your correspondent is likely correct that we did not want Marines shooting these animals in front of the TV cameras present at the site.
Still, I am confident that this will be the opposite of Mogadishu. We’ll systematically kill and capture the people who did this using proven intelligence methods and harsh, focused tactics. The gloves remain off, but they were already, despite the failures we’ve experienced recently. Before they leave, the Marines are going to kill a lot of people who richly deserve it. We should thank God for their service every day.
The ‘big picture’ is that completing a ‘long hard slog’ is part of our strategy in that it demonstrates will and commitment that will make it easier in the future. By continuing in spite of this televised atrocity, we are reversing the lesson of Mogadishu and, to a degree Clinton’s ‘Legacy.’ Sad to say, but this savage act may be seen as a ‘bookend’ in the historical narrative.