I don't think they are lesser people, meta. Human is human.
Human beings are a violent race up to the point in which the violence is too much for them to handle. May it be on the individual scale or that of nations. Some remarkable individuals have moved past inherit violence within ourselves. As well as equally remarkable people, though in a negative manner, have embraced it.
I am just saying that a third party cannot help those who who do not seek help. We cannot force peace to those who do not want peace. The choice is up to the Sunnis and the Shiites if they want peace or not. The moderates who do not want to be part of the fighting would be best served by getting them out of the way, as would we all. Those who are so determined to kill cannot be persuaded by words or deed, unless that deed is to put them down six feet under.