Centuries ago, combat required the opposing forces to march directly toward each other. You saw the enemy and he saw you. You picked your target, perhaps saw your own fear reflected in his eyes, and discharged your weapon. This was considered the 'gentleman's' way to engage in combat.

As weapons advanced in accuracy and range they allowed for increased distance away from the enemy. That increased distance also allowed for the accidental killing of civilians as many would go to the scene of the battle to watch as they did at Gettysburg. Stray bullets, lances, arrows, the missiles fired from catapults, all have occasionally found their way to an unsuspecting victim.

Our distances have again increased. There are now weapons that can be guided to their desired targets but the unsuspecting, innocent victim still, at times, comes within the cross hairs. As it was then, so it remains.

It is an unavoidable part of war, any war, not just the war on terrorism. The innocents, wanting only to live their lives in peace and the pursuit of simple pleasures, are drawn into the target area. Perhaps they should have been more aware of what was going on around them, who was around them, that they lived in an area prone to attack. I doubt if the innocents, incinerated on 9/11, had any reason to think these thoughts. Yet plans for their deliberate deaths were in place and then carried out.

I suspect the terrorists consider themselves clever in not wearing uniforms. I consider them cowards. They do nothing to distinguish themselves from the civilians and thereby risk the lives of everyone around them. They use those who can be used as suicide bombers, after plying them with drugs to dull their minds which make them more susceptible to suggestion. Thus the enemy kills not only innocents, but his own innocents.

It would be ideal to have no civilian casualties during war but until the fanatics, the religious zealots, those dreaming of conquering the world, are eliminated, it will continue. Collateral damage, whether by U.S. forces or the enemy is most regrettable. The difference lies in that we care and try to prevent it.

Learn more about this author, Linden Blosser.
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