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I don't think anyone could really argue that the vast bulk of the kidnappings, killings, et cetera going on in Iraq could be attributed directly to the American military. We and our brave soldiers make mistakes, sure, but widespread civilian carnage is not American military policy. However, we do need to face the fact that the most of the casualties are victims of terrorists and insurgents and ethnic clensing campaigns that can operate in the country because of conditions that we have created and maintained. Though not directly responsible for those deaths, we are responsible. It is largely because of this that we are so hated in Iraq, and why our presence has generated, and will continue to generate more people willing to go out and kill. It really is not hard to understand. At least not on an intellectual level. On a human and emotional level, though...not so much.
