[grobdriver]

"If you're an enemy combatant, you can be shot. That's what war is about. So the real question is when it is appropriate to characterize someone as such."

Yes!
Finally, someone gets it.
They don't wear uniforms, they don't assemble in military formations.
They are rabid dogs. - shoot them as such, on sight!

[SJackson]

They are rabid dogs

IMO, they're enemy combatants, and legitimate targets. I think one of the concerns of recognizing this fact is that, when captured, they might need to be treated a POWs rather than subject to the civil justice system. Since they're out of uniform, and mixing with the civilian population, and killing civilians, I really don't see the problem with this approach. The military justice system can deal with them just fine. Makes interrogations easier too.