MORE ON MY SUSPICIONS that it gets worse can be found here.

Riad, a lawyer who declined to provide his last name, said that the killings of residents have prompted relatives to plan revenge attacks against American soldiers. "This is our culture. Clans are strong here and it is the duty to avenge a wrongful death," he said. "People do not forget."

A group of teenagers shuffling their feet in the hot sun near a kebab restaurant added a touch of bravado to Riad's explanation. "Of all of Iraq, only Fallujah is resisting the Americans. The Americans have these big tanks. We show everybody that they are just toys," one said, declining to provide his name.

Riad added, "I'm afraid taking shots at Americans will become a sport for these types."