“we did commit unspeakable horrors by using scorched-earth tactics against our enemy”
That is the only acceptable way to fight a war!!!
My hero, General Eisenhower, would completely agree. If you aren't willing to wage total warfare in order to win, do not commit American troops to battle. Ike felt that was exactly the mistake LBJ made in Vietnam. If you read McCain's memoir, "Faith of My Fathers", McCain and his father echoed those same sentiments.
America can win any conflict when the Commander in Chief frees our military to win the war. We should never apologize to the Japanese for Hiroshima or Nagasaki. They should have apologized to Truman for not surrendering sooner. We didn't start the war, but we sure as hell finished it.