Todd,
A couple of things to consider.

First, my opinion is that the high rate of civilians is result of many reasons. One, the insurgents are using human shields. Two, the insurgents are also targeting civilian targets. And three, it is often hard to distinguish between civilian and military casualtyies. Often you will have the family claiming one thing while the military is claiming the other.

More importantly though, is that it is my opinion that the high civilian casualty rate is a dirrect result of the type of war we are killing. Rather than just going hard and letting the civilians know that a war is going on, we walk in slowly, poke around and then leave again. The local polutation sticks around providing cover for the insurgents, and the rate of civilians involved goes up. In a way, it gets back to your China question. What would I do. I would do what my fathers family did in WWII. They fled as far away from the fighting as possible. From what I can tell they were all over Europe fleeing the fighting. During the war my dad learned close to 5 languages they moved so much. At the same time, other members of his family were fighting.

So that is what I would do if China invaded us. I would send my family as far away from the fighting as possible, regardless of which side or where that was. Depending on how I felt about what was going on I would join the fighting on which ever side I felt was right, or leave with my family to where they are going. In no case would I sit there and expect that war could go on all around me and walk away unscathed. The way we are trying to this war hints of the belief that it is possible. In no way is it. Kind of reminds me of how Israel sent out warnings of targets only to see the target over run with civilians. I guaranty that they were not there because they believed the bombs were going to fall, they were there to prevent it.

I will say it again. Let people know you intend to hit hard. Hit hard, avoid civilians but don't put yourself or targets at risk and finish your objective. This baloney about sitting in the middle of a conflict and then crying about it has no standing with me. There is no reason what so ever for it.

One last point, I really am not arguing for the validity of why we went as much as for the fact that we are not fighting correctly and could take care of this much more effectively and humanely fighting under traditional rules of war then we are with limited conflict. Had we done this right we would have declared war, then after an initial waiting period to allow civilain removal, carpet bombed every inch of every military target. No applogies, no pussy footing. Go in efficeintly and devestating. The shock and awe with no stopping until every target is gone. Then immediate relief for the civilian casualties and immediate aid to those in need. We are fighting the war to look good for the media and public opinion. It can't be done.