[Arthur Wildfire! March]

ROFL! The human shield volunteers did nothing more than help prove our point. Saddam is an inhuman SOB, eager to put unarmed people in harm's way for diplomatic leverage, even people who bravely offer to be human shields. It also proves the point that he is a totalitarian dictator. Lastly, it shows that the guy has lost touch with humanity. The concept of goodwill is completely alian to him.

If he had simply allowed them to mingle with the civilians in places of their choice, they would have been a little short term harm to the US diplomatically. But odds are, none of them would have been killed by bombs, either. So in the long run, it would have been a net wash diplomatically.

[Movemout]

...even people who bravely offer to be human shields.

Stupidly would be the appropriate modifier. I hope the ones who stay get their just desserts.