He won't be the first dictator to use his civilian population to hide behind.
And yes, ALL the tragic deaths on BOTH sides are a "sacrifice".
I want to add I'm very proud of ALL the soldiers who are in there fighting for what they think it is right. I try hard not to think of the peasant Iraqi soldiers who feel some honor and sympathy for their homeland and families to fight to the death an INVADING force.

>"In contrast, the decision to go to war was a logical one (arguably)"

And it will be argued for many more months and years.
I believe we have just created MORE instability in the Middle East, not less, and I hope we are wise enough as a nation to preserve our fighting best and our planes and our bombs and keep them for when we REALLY need them (read DEFENSE of "our" homeland) and not some idealistic risky venture on foreign soil that is stirring hundreds of thousands more to HATE us.