pynchon-l-digest V2 #2195

[MalignD at aol.com]

<<I do not believe that the US and UK forces are targeting civilians from the 
get-go, but they are willing to accept the inevitable civilian casualties-- a 
fine distinction that makes virtually no difference to the babies, old folks, 
women, and other innocent civilians who are killed and wounded by our 
weapons.  I ask again, what's the difference between what the September 11 
terrorists did and what our leaders are doing when they are to accept 
civilian casualties to achieve their strategic and tactical ends?>>

You've answered your own question, have you not?  US and UK forces are not 
targeting civilians.  Nevertheless, as has been pointed out, there are 
apparently hundreds of innocent dead, which should please no one.

What occured on September 11 was the specific and intentional targeting of 
civilians, resulting in thousands dead, displeasing to the terrorists only 
because the toll was not ten times that number.

The difference is significant.