ROBERT MUELLER says that walk-in suicide bombers are coming to the United States, and that there’s nothing we can do to prevent them.

Well, such bombing will have some psychological impact, but not much else. And the psychological impact is going to be as follows: (1) to increase Americans’ tolerance for military action against Arab states that sponsor terrorism, especially Iraq and Saudi-controlled Arabia; and (2) to cause Americans to lose any real concern about civilian casualties in countries with which we are at war.

The last time someone made war largely against American civilians, the response was near-extermination. Is this a game the Islamists want to play? Because they’re stupid, the answer to that question may be yes. Den Beste’s piece on the Mongols and the Assassins is looking more relevant. (Den Beste usually is — just read this one on the difference between warriors and soldiers.)

Think I’m wrong about these consequences? Just read this quote reproduced by Orrin Judd.