Your argument is one side is very well equipped & informed, and by making the first move can overwhelm their targets in short order.
CodeToad’s argument is that side is vastly out-numbered, so much so that just their former-fellow operators out-number ‘em by a wide margin AND are anticipating a full-on showdown. These targets may not make the first move, but they can move fast in response and, even in losing, will leave at best decimated forces behind to move on to the next target. Repeated 10% losses soon leave little to operate with.
Yes, gov’t ability must not be underestimated. Goes for the reverse, too. 10M targets wouldn’t have anyone to fight.
There is an old principle in combat, dating back to The Art Of War: let the opponent make the first move. At that moment, the opponent is committed to an action, and you are free to counter - a tremendous advantage. If this is unclear to anyone, I recommend reading Art Of War again, more slowly.
“At that moment, the opponent is committed to an action, and you are free to counter - a tremendous advantage. “
The old adage, “No plan survives first contact with the enemy”, is exactly your comment. You *think* you know what they intend or are capable of, but then you find out the truth. Often, the enemy is not as well organized or equipped as you thought and their actions are haphazard and confusing.
Tactical planning seems to always assume an intelligent, brave, organized, trained, and well equipped enemy: We like to be arrogant in our planning as to think only such an enemy would dare challenge us. However, it gets real confusing when the other guy is an idiot and their actions are haphazard. Our military is that way: They expect Queensberry rules in war but get confused when the other side doesn’t play by any rules.
My estimation of the resistance (ie, the American citizens) is based on many factors. Among them, the response to Roe v. Wade; to Kelo; to Waco; to the TSA. Among other factors: the people continue to pay protection money to the govt so it won’t incarcerate and impoverish them for not paying; the people continue to enable the govt financially, when refusal to do so would bring the govt to its knees within weeks. These are not the same caliber of Americans who tracked blood in the wilderness during the Revolution.
I wish it were otherwise. Perhaps you, ctd2, are otherwise. I cannot know that, I can only hope so.
PS: Re Art of War...you let your opponent make the first move when you are ready for it. By far, most are NOT ready.
Not even getting ready. (Basic questions are not, how much ammo have I got and how much food? Basic questions are, when the S appears to HTF, how do I know it isn’t an isolated incident? do I go to work that day? and do the kids go to school that day?)
Moreover, Art of War had a few suggestions about timing offense rather than letting the opponent decide when to start surprising you.