Question about Lessons Not Learned

I have to ask myself, with regards to the population-winning tactic cited here and here:

• If the same tactics were used on the generals, presidents and prime ministers who green light this kind of strategy, would they buckle and turn their backs on their battered armies?
• Would Americans become despondent and plead for mercy from Osama Bin Laden if he managed to destroy a major landmark or government building?
• Did none of these men and women ever watch Red Dawn?

The only explanation I can think of is that they view their adversaries with such contempt that Cheney and those like him have convinced themselves that Palestinians and Iraqis are subhuman, incapable of the kind of masculine resolve that would allow them to withstand our Shock-and-Awe (tm). The sad thing is, they are invariably wrong.

March on folly.