We’re still going to kill each other,

But we’ll be civil about it, see.

Here’s my side and this land, and me,

And there’s your side, the other, and thee.

We’ve all heard the saying “thou shalt not kill”

But when it’s called War, there’s rules, and we’re gentlemen still.

Some of yours’ll die, and some of ours, horribly too,

But we’ll take care to ensure collateral is few

And that it isn’t for nothing. The collateral must be

Strictly proportionate and necessary

In order to meet our objectives. Our military ends.

It is possible the collateral may increase a bit

As our objectives change and evolve.

Objectives do that, especially military ones.

The rules specify that some things are valid targets,

And others are not.

While our objective might be to crush you, if not totally then completely,

We must remind ourselves not to crush your hospitals,

Your schools, your churches, your homes –

Oh, and your civilians. Yes. Your civilians.

They do tend to get in the way a bit.

We haven’t entirely worked out a way to avoid crushing them too.

The rules say they must be spared. If possible. Does make it tricky, doesn’t it?

Well, as we said right at the start – we’re still going to kill each other.

To rule, or not to rule? That is the question.