Naomi - "andy-hughes, it's common sense to acknowledge that attempts at dialogue are futile. "
If you adopt a position that attempting dialogue is futile, then you are closing the door to potential dialogue, and saving yourself the tiresome task of having to try to open communications.
I happen to believe that the future of innocent civilians in the world demands that even if the door is close, knocking on it may make it open - refusing to knock on it obviously won't.
Add to that the acknowledged fact that Muslim extremists are so firmly entrenched in their belief that they are right, and the have a stubborn streak the size of Neptune - showing them the same attitude will merely re-enforce their belief that they are right, and that we are simply stubborn and pig-headed (pardon the pun again) and if that is our position - they would be right to see us like that.