[weswood]

IMO, the whole not attacking civilians idiology came about because of WWII. During and prior to that war even civilised nations attacked civilian populations. I'm not as educated as a lot on this board but the bombing of Berlin by the Allies and the bombing of London comes imediately to mind. As far back in American history, during the French & Indian War, one of our early presidents had a reputation for destroying indian villages to deny thier fighters shelter & supplies. Even as far back as the first century of Christianity the Vikings had a reputation for sacking Churches, IMO because there were few warriors and good loot in them.

I think WWII was a turning point for civilised people, they (we) saw the horror of women & children killed not just during attacks but from diseases and starvation afterward. Note that I say civilised nations, there's still some out there that are bugfuck crazy.