It's never acceptable to target civilians. It violates the Geneva Accords it violates the international law of war and it violates all principles of morality.
Wanton killing of innocent civilians is terrorism not a war against terrorism.
We should invade their countries kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren't punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet-bombed German cities we killed civilians. That's war. And this is war.
It seems like such a terrible shame that innocent civilians have to get hurt in wars otherwise combat would be such a wonderfully healthy way to rid the human race of unneeded trash.
Military strength in reserve is better than military strength being reigned upon the other side including all of its innocent civilians.
We burned to death 100 000 Japanese civilians in Tokyo - men women and children. LeMay recognized that what he was doing would be thought immoral if his side had lost. But what makes it immoral if you lose and not immoral if you win?