Once more with feeling

Matthew Yglesias very patiently explains, again, why precision strikes in densely populated urban areas is an oxymoron. It's not being negative about the war, it's just a fact. And it's one we have to take into account if our stated mission is to win their hearts and minds. If you're one of those people who thinks we should just fucking blow them up, then I still find you morally consistent. But if you've ever talked about spreading democracy, breaking the back of Middle Eastern tyranny, or heart/mind winning, you have to deal with the fact that prolonged periods of violence are very problematic to your mission.