US Empire

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

Interestingly critical article in the USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/01/13/barack-obama-george-bush-drones/1830749/).

[Le Socialiste]

Elsewhere, Obama quickly became the world's leading drone warrior, employing more predator drones in his first nine-and-a-half months in office than Bush had in the previous three years. The results are mixed. He managed to decapitate much of al-Qaeda's leadership, but these attacks fueled jihadist recruitment.

And murdered hundreds of men, women, and children in the process.


To Shahzad, the victims were human beings. Drone operators referred to them as "bug splats."

That's what happens when you have operators in an air-conditioned room looking at 'targets' half a world away from a computer monitor. Disgusting.

[Blake's Baby]

But it doesn't matter if it's operators half a world away, gunship pilots saying that it's like playing a video game, or Marines in the jungle/desert talking about 'gooks and slopes/towelheads'. Or people hiding in a cave/compound talking about 'pigs, dogs and Jews'. The dehumanisation of the enemy happens no matter what the proximity. Isn't it necessary to think 'this is a target/obstacle' rather than 'this is a real human being with thoughts, feelings, family and friends, a history, memories and desires, just like me'? I'm not sure anyone could ever kill anyone else otherwise.

So, it's not how far away you are that's disgusting, it's the dehumanisation, the denying other people their own autonomous existence.

[Le Socialiste]

But it doesn't matter if it's operators half a world away, gunship pilots saying that it's like playing a video game, or Marines in the jungle/desert talking about 'gooks and slopes/towelheads'. Or people hiding in a cave/compound talking about 'pigs, dogs and Jews'. The dehumanisation of the enemy happens no matter what the proximity. Isn't it necessary to think 'this is a target/obstacle' rather than 'this is a real human being with thoughts, feelings, family and friends, a history, memories and desires, just like me'? I'm not sure anyone could ever kill anyone else otherwise.

So, it's not how far away you are that's disgusting, it's the dehumanisation, the denying other people their own autonomous existence.

Of course, I agree with that completely. I was simply voicing my frustrations over what is clearly the next step in this dehumanization process.

[Blake's Baby]

I understand, I just don't think the circumstances of the dehumanisation process are as important as you seem to be making out. It probably makes it easier for those people to sleep at night though, not having actually seen the people they kill.

[Le Socialiste]

I understand, I just don't think the circumstances of the dehumanisation process are as important as you seem to be making out.

Meh, I suppose I just disagree. Not having to actually see the people they kill is a hell of a lot more different than looking them in the eyes (imo).


It probably makes it easier for those people to sleep at night though, not having actually seen the people they kill.

I guess this is the point I'm trying to make.

[DoCt SPARTAN]

In a long run the U.S is also so called "terrorists" to me. Obama kill hindered of innocent!

[Mackenzie_Blanc]

Remember kids, that the U.S.A. does murders and executions of political dissidents for your own good! Now be a good 'merican and stop being a filthy commie! :rolleyes: