[TChris]

Does this imply that we trampled upon our values as a nation when we firebombed Dresden and Tokyo?

That's a very good question, except that this war is fundamentally different.

In WWII, we were at war with the whole countries of Japan and Germany. This time, we're only at war with the Taliban, who is the enemy of those women and children as much as they are our enemy. We are not at war with all of Afghanistan.

In other words, the innocents of Afghanistan aren't just noncombatants of an enemy state, like in WWII, they are our noncombatant allies, enemies of our enemy, and one of the main reasons we are there.

I'm siding with the General on this one.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

In other words, the innocents of Afghanistan aren't just noncombatants of an enemy state, like in WWII, they are our noncombatant allies, enemies of our enemy, and one of the main reasons we are there.

You just identified the key takeaway for this thread. Well done!

[Axhandle]

"This time, we're only at war with the Taliban, who is the enemy of those women and children as much as they are our enemy. We are not at war with all of Afghanistan."

Makes sense, if you assume that the "noncombatants" near the cemetery were not supportive of the Taliban fighters.