Yes, it would START on their terms. We cannot afford a Fort Sumter to undermine our moral legitimacy. However, how it would end might well be surprising to some. Especially if the fight is taken to the “leadership,” and not just the government cannon fodder. And they’d have their own William Jefferson Clinton to thank for it, as HE OK’d going after political leaders AND the media/propaganda arms that support them! Think Bosnia, et cetera.
I agree with you, and have long held the belief that those same "leaders" - at many levels - are going to be in for a very rude awakening once they and their families become much more personally involved in the mess they meant to inflict on others, but stay out of themselves.
I hold the same point of view regarding the media enablers. IF and once S truly does HTF, I suspect that may folks may not be as safe, or exempt, as they have currently allowed themselves to believe.