It is into this brutish society that American and NATO troops have again been ordered to mix, this time by Gen. Petraeus who believes, as a Pentagon release put it, "meeting and understanding the people is the main mission for military forces." Calling for more interaction with "the people," Petraeus told his forces: "Take off your sunglasses. Situational awareness can only be gained by interacting face to face, not separated by ballistic glass or Oakleys." This last bit inspired a note from a Marine mom who reminded me that eye protection is what defends our soldiers from blast-borne fragments that...