Civilians theoretically do not have to be protected from the U.S. government. That is theoretical. Obviously in any war, some to many will be in unfortunate places. I think I have to spell it out here. We are the good guys. We are going in, with insufficient application of the Powell doctrine, to free an oppressed people. I hope they will join us and free the Sudanese and North Koreans. Unfortunately, terrorists and other versions of enemies will surround themselves with and embed themselves within the most innocent of civilians..nursery schools, old folks homes etc. It's a dilemma to be sure and mathematically sometimes you will save more people in the long run by going in with guns a blazing....This was a horrible situation. Hopefully in the long run it will be better by far. If not, we are dying trying. It's a bad world out there. Sometimes it's like a forest fire. You sometimes have to put one out before it engulfs you. mg