Two important articles, and a comment on the coverage

"Here are two essential articles I’ve enjoyed reading recently:

John Keegan and Bartle Bull, ‘What is a civil war?’ Prospect Magazine (UK), December 2006

Frederick Turner, ‘Baghdad Vigilantes and the Dark Side of Civil Society,’ TCS Daily, October 25, 2006"
Talisman Gate

Well for one it's easier and cheaper to just say you "burned" someone alive that to actually go out and do it. And I you call in a "burned" alive report, some journalist just might come out to check out the report, and then you have a prime target for kidnapping and ransom come to you. Again cheaper and safer. And if you can cause a little political panic and all around mayhem, all the better.