John Ringo had visited 23 countries and attended 14 schools by the time he graduated high school. This left him with a wonderful appreciation of the oneness of humanity and a permanent aversion to foreign food. He writes for the New York Post and appears on Fox News. Visit his website (http://www.johnringo.com) or email him at abn1508@mindspring.com.

This is a story about Wannabes - you know, people who "want to be" something special and unique. There are SEAL wannabes and Green Beret wannabes. The Palestinians are soldier wannabes.

I'm looking at some "shocking" photographs from Ramallah, courtesy of AP and the Internet. (I put that in quotes because I've seen enough shocking reality that these don't even trip my gorge meter.)

They have several pictures of dead Palestinian terrorists, at least one of which is a "before and after."

Before: Palestinian terrorist with a Kalashnikov firing (badly) at an "Israeli sniper position."

He looks very good, determined look on his face, all his neato-keeno soldier stuff strapped to his body, desert BDU camouflage pants, turban wrapped stylishly around his masculine head. Not to make too specific a point about it, he's firing standing up (off-hand), in the middle of the road, without aiming. It looks like he's posing for the photographer, which he no doubt is, and which, trust me, is a bad thing to do in a firefight.

After: Dead Palestinian lying in the road. Dead Palestinian being carried off by his buddies. Lots-o wailing buddies.

Then there are the pictures of Israelis.

Soldiers checking their weapons.

Soldiers positioning themselves.

Soldier taking aim.

Tanks and IDF infantry.

One of these is of Israeli tanks which are just sitting there, looking menacing. But most are of Israeli infantry (the Israeli version of the aforementioned Palestinian).

They all have the same look. Their helmets are on their heads, chin-straps are on their chins, camouflage paint in place, their body armor is tucked down, their boot laces are tucked in, they are holding their rifles in down-barrel tactical position. Most of them aren't looking at the camera, except to shoo the suicidal photographer away.

None of them look like they are posing. None of them are standing out in the middle of the street. And I can't imagine any of them firing from the hip; if they were shooting, you can bet your last doughnut it was with a good cheek-to-stock position, snugged-in rifle, a good sight picture, probably from the prone position and in carefully controlled two- and three-round bursts.

This is the difference between a soldier and a soldier wannabe. The difference between half-trained barbarians and civilized human beings. The Israelis do not make a habit of going around murdering Palestinian children. They make a profession of killing armed Palestinian terrorists.

The Palestinian was hit by a small caliber bullet, probably in the head or neck from the blood spatter. This is a tough shot to make. It probably would have been tougher if the guy was actually getting any bullets near the "sniper position" - but from the way he was firing, he was more likely to hit Mecca (which is, not to put too fine a point of it, in another country).

The Israeli, on the other hand, nailed his butt. Very nice shot. Not saying the guy deserves a medal or anything, but it was a good professional takedown.

I'm sure that that Palestinian would have been just great at walking into a shopping center or a Seder feast with Clothing By Semtex. But put him up against trained soldiers with guns in their hands and he's nothing but worm-meat.

Which is just one of the thousand ways you can determine that the Israelis are civilized human beings and their foes are nothing but Sixth century barbarians armed with modern weapons that they barely know how to use.

The Israelis are professionals. They are good at killing idiot barbarian wannabes, and they clearly enjoy their work. You don't get that good at something unless you enjoy it.

The Palestinians are murderous terrorists who can't be bothered to learn to be soldiers.

They're wannabes. And not even serious wannabes. They want the acclaim without going through the hard and nasty chore of training.

Which is why I think the real thing will soon teach them a lesson the world will never forget.

Views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.

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