It has been stated repeatedly by the Bush team that the Iraqi people are not the targets, but weaponry and the forces guarding Saddam are.
Our intent is to liberate, not destroy, the populace.
Failing a bloodless liberation, our intent is to kill no innocents.
Failing to avoid killing any innocents, our intent is to kill as few innocents as possible.
Failing to avoid harming many innocents, our intent is to limit the harm to Iraqis.
Failing to limit the harm to Iraqis, our intent is to limit the harm to the middle east.
Failing to limit the harm to the middle east, our intent is to avoid harm on American soil.
Allowing harm to come to America's heartland is a non-option.
I would rather that "the wine press was trodden ... and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses' bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles." in Iraq, that Babylon of old.
But then, Saddam's own people might eliminate just him. That would be wonderful!
But I wouldn't bet our lives on it...
OUR GOAL IS FOR US AND OUR WAY OF LIFE TO SURVIVE.
All else is secondary.