[RobbyS]

The army managed to kill the enemy without killing lots of civilians. But I will say that the tactics the Marines chose initially were merely inopportune. The City should have been assaulted and taken a year ago.

[quadrant]

"Taken out" what a fine phrase. Very snappy, very neutral, very bloodless.
And if during the process of taking Fallujah out, thousands were killed and the reputation of the US was irreparably damaged, how wise would the decision seem now?
I have no objection to the shedding of blood, but if acceptable (not perfect) end can be achieved without bloodshed then I am for it.
I just finished reading a book about the peace settlement that ended WWI.
Perhaps if Woodrow Wilson had bent his efforts toward finding a negotiated settlement (instead of sending American troops) between Germany and the Central Powers, World War II might never have happened.