Dave,
Your comment.....
Consequently good ideas shouldn't involve indiscriminate slaughter of anyone holding a spade, or turning the road network into an allotment.
How many folks repair potholes in the middle of the night in Afghanistan?
Evidently you do not appreciate the length the Coalition Forces go to in confirming "hostile intent" before taking action. The mere holding of a Spade does not warrant a hostile action.....holding one while emplacing an IED does....carrying a Spade in hand as one leaves the site where one has just emplaced an IED qualifies as well.
Should it not?