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polly7

(20,582 posts)
56. I hope you're not trying to say the 'wars' or drones are in any way
Thu Feb 7, 2013, 10:20 AM
Feb 2013

way helping, or were even meant to help women and children. They were never even a consideration, imo. Just as the women in Afghanistan weren't when tribal lords there with child brides were given Viagra, in trade for something or other.

"KK: You know, beyond Kabul, our friends tell us that it's very, very frightening. The children, they hear a drone overhead when they go to sleep at night.... My friend's sister's husband was killed and a little 5-year-old - his mother is still trying to explain to him that a computer killed [his] father.

There's a great deal of anxiety. Somebody could knock at your door, and in the culture, if that person asks for food or beverage, you give it to them. Well, if it's the Taliban who's appearing on a screen to somebody in Creech Air Force Base, Hancock Field or Whiteman Air Force Base, then you may very well be a subject of a night raid or worse - a weaponized drone could target your house. People know over there that President Obama gets together on a Tuesday, [two dozen] people on a conference call to assemble a kill list of people who will be assassinated that week. Any young person between the ages of 15 and 30 is eligible to be on that list. There's a great deal of fear and tension and nowhere to run, nowhere to hide."

http://www.zcommunications.org/the-longest-war-afghan-people-face-fearful-future-as-american-troops-prepare-to-exit-the-ravaged-country-by-kathy-kelly

"Like George Bush's government in Iraq, Obama's administration neither documents nor acknowledges the civilian casualties of the CIA's drone strikes in north-west Pakistan. But a report by the law schools at Stanford and New York universities suggests that during the first three years of his time in office, the 259 strikes for which he is ultimately responsible killed between 297 and 569 civilians, of whom at least 64 were children. These are figures extracted from credible reports: there may be more which have not been fully documented.

The wider effects on the children of the region have been devastating. Many have been withdrawn from school because of fears that large gatherings of any kind are being targeted. There have been several strikes on schools since Bush launched the drone programme that Obama has expanded so enthusiastically: one of Bush's blunders killed 69 children.

The study reports that children scream in terror when they hear the sound of a drone. A local psychologist says that their fear and the horrors they witness is causing permanent mental scarring. Children wounded in drone attacks told the researchers that they are too traumatised to go back to school and have abandoned hopes of the careers they might have had. Their dreams as well as their bodies have been broken.

Obama does not kill children deliberately. But their deaths are an inevitable outcome of the way his drones are deployed. We don't know what emotional effect these deaths might have on him, as neither he nor his officials will discuss the matter: almost everything to do with the CIA's extrajudicial killings in Pakistan is kept secret. But you get the impression that no one in the administration is losing much sleep over it"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/17/us-killings-tragedies-pakistan-bug-splats

"First, while civilian casualties are rarely acknowledged by the US government, there is significant evidence that US drone strikes have injured and killed civilians. In public statements, the US states that there have been “no” or “single digit” civilian casualties.”[2] It is difficult to obtain data on strike casualties because of US efforts to shield the drone program from democratic accountability, compounded by the obstacles to independent investigation of strikes in North Waziristan. The best currently available public aggregate data on drone strikes are provided by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), an independent journalist organization. TBIJ reports that from June 2004 through mid-September 2012, available data indicate that drone strikes killed 2,562-3,325 people in Pakistan, of whom 474-881 were civilians, including 176 children.[3] TBIJ reports that these strikes also injured an additional 1,228-1,362 individuals. Where media accounts do report civilian casualties, rarely is any information provided about the victims or the communities they leave behind. This report includes the harrowing narratives of many survivors, witnesses, and family members who provided evidence of civilian injuries and deaths in drone strikes to our research team. It also presents detailed accounts of three separate strikes, for which there is evidence of civilian deaths and injuries, including a March 2011 strike on a meeting of tribal elders that killed some 40 individuals.

Second, US drone strike policies cause considerable and under-accounted-for harm to the daily lives of ordinary civilians, beyond death and physical injury. Drones hover twenty-four hours a day over communities in northwest Pakistan, striking homes, vehicles, and public spaces without warning. Their presence terrorizes men, women, and children, giving rise to anxiety and psychological trauma among civilian communities. Those living under drones have to face the constant worry that a deadly strike may be fired at any moment, and the knowledge that they are powerless to protect themselves. These fears have affected behavior. The US practice of striking one area multiple times, and evidence that it has killed rescuers, makes both community members and humanitarian workers afraid or unwilling to assist injured victims. Some community members shy away from gathering in groups, including important tribal dispute-resolution bodies, out of fear that they may attract the attention of drone operators. Some parents choose to keep their children home, and children injured or traumatized by strikes have dropped out of school. Waziris told our researchers that the strikes have undermined cultural and religious practices related to burial, and made family members afraid to attend funerals. In addition, families who lost loved ones or their homes in drone strikes now struggle to support themselves."

http://livingunderdrones.org/report/

This is the most ridiculous hypothetical of all. randome Feb 2013 #1
It is not ridiculous at all, your other assertion of fact is wrong, and something like Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #2
What country has not given us permission? I hope you're not thinking of Pakistan. randome Feb 2013 #4
Iran BainsBane Feb 2013 #5
Where do you get 'hatred' from? randome Feb 2013 #10
You said "Islamic dictatorship" BainsBane Feb 2013 #13
I am not doing that. randome Feb 2013 #15
it is a dictatorship BainsBane Feb 2013 #19
As I said, I have not studied Islam. randome Feb 2013 #24
You have not studied Islam? Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #76
"Islamic peoples"? Turborama Feb 2013 #29
Because I don't always proofread as well as I should. randome Feb 2013 #31
I guess you never heard of gholtron Feb 2013 #111
You ignore my point BainsBane Feb 2013 #116
Pakistan, Somalia, for starters. Warren Stupidity Feb 2013 #14
Right. The Pakistani government is definitely afraid of being overthrown. randome Feb 2013 #16
Oh, I get it. Bonobo Feb 2013 #43
Um...no. randome Feb 2013 #45
So they SAY "stop the drones" but they don't mean it, right? Bonobo Feb 2013 #47
Pakistan says 'stop the drones' by way of an ambassador. randome Feb 2013 #49
Everyone knows senior ambassadors are NOT to be considered as representing the will of the govt. Bonobo Feb 2013 #51
You have a point. randome Feb 2013 #52
However, they clearly have wanted us there in some instances. randome Feb 2013 #64
lol unapatriciated Feb 2013 #140
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, and by now, I suspect in Mali. dixiegrrrrl Feb 2013 #68
Pakistan has repeatedly asked the US to stop. Bonobo Feb 2013 #42
They also turn a blind eye to our operations. randome Feb 2013 #75
Why the U.S. Is Not Winning “Hearts and Minds” in Pakistan polly7 Feb 2013 #93
I'm not in 'favor' of drone strikes anywhere. I'm not in 'favor' of overseas meddling at all. randome Feb 2013 #98
what did hou think the Talibans did in Afghanistan? gholtron Feb 2013 #122
For starters, this. randome Feb 2013 #127
We DO have groups trying to overthrow the government and install... dogknob Feb 2013 #139
+1000 noiretextatique Feb 2013 #141
I disagree BainsBane Feb 2013 #3
Oh, so your objection is 'foreign airspace'? randome Feb 2013 #6
You raised the issue of permission BainsBane Feb 2013 #11
I recognize the Taliban isn't all Muslims. randome Feb 2013 #17
no, I don't BainsBane Feb 2013 #21
Message auto-removed sadalien Feb 2013 #8
You do realize how these terrorist groups treat women and children, right? randome Feb 2013 #12
Message auto-removed sadalien Feb 2013 #27
'Proof'? No. randome Feb 2013 #30
Message auto-removed sadalien Feb 2013 #34
It goes to Wikipedia. Not sure why it won't work for you. randome Feb 2013 #36
Message auto-removed sadalien Feb 2013 #39
I agree, we don't target based on that criteria. Not that I'm aware of, anyways. randome Feb 2013 #40
Message auto-removed sadalien Feb 2013 #46
I think the local police can handle matters fine. randome Feb 2013 #50
Message auto-removed sadalien Feb 2013 #54
Correct Go Vols Feb 2013 #97
The vast majority of those countries have asked for our resources and help. randome Feb 2013 #99
I hope you're not trying to say the 'wars' or drones are in any way polly7 Feb 2013 #56
+1 KoKo Feb 2013 #60
I am NOT saying that is America's prime concern. Perhaps it should be. randome Feb 2013 #67
Well I'm saying they're of 'no concern'. polly7 Feb 2013 #69
How would you stop terrorists who blow up bars and school buses in other countries? randome Feb 2013 #72
Damn Right! During the troubles in Belfast I recall Dragonfli Feb 2013 #78
You're confusing "terrorism" with "Islam" Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #77
I am NOT confusing the two. I have no issue with anyone's religion. randome Feb 2013 #80
So do non-Islamic dictatorships Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #81
America is not consistent. I acknowledge that. randome Feb 2013 #84
By the way, for all your alleged concern for the women and children... Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #86
I acknowledged that, too, in another post in this thread. randome Feb 2013 #89
At the moment, American foreign policy is more than inconsistent--- Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #91
ok, you win the most stupid post award Sheepshank Feb 2013 #59
Message auto-removed sadalien Feb 2013 #62
It seems to be a growing habit here from a few Sheepshank Feb 2013 #70
All that by making an observation of a remarkable islamophobe Dragonfli Feb 2013 #85
No I don't see an extreme hatred of Islam in the comment Sheepshank Feb 2013 #87
You KNOW that I am right, the guy constantly makes use of the word as interchangeable Dragonfli Feb 2013 #104
Talk to my lawyer! randome Feb 2013 #106
Wow, I never thought you could be so honest about your influences Dragonfli Feb 2013 #107
Gotta go. Almost lunch time. randome Feb 2013 #109
As if your judgements of me are innocuous? Sheepshank Feb 2013 #108
Got to say, your post is ridiculous as well as FoxNewsy. Bluenorthwest Feb 2013 #26
I never claimed American foreign policy was consistent. It has never been so. randome Feb 2013 #28
Yeah, but you stated those actions as reasons for acts of war when the same actions are done Bluenorthwest Feb 2013 #33
Some of the terrorist groups we are fighting are determined to install Islamic dictatorships. randome Feb 2013 #37
Tactical cooperation is not an invitation to a bombing. rug Feb 2013 #55
Agreed Floyd_Gondolli Feb 2013 #94
Ummm, actually we have hundreds, if not thousands of people plotting Arctic Dave Feb 2013 #112
Sure. Every country has plans to blow up every other country. What a waste. randome Feb 2013 #119
"We" always think we do more good then bad. Arctic Dave Feb 2013 #134
Yeah, well, some don't care about America. randome Feb 2013 #135
Thats odd. bvar22 Feb 2013 #114
So because of the Bush Regime, we should huddle in our homes and withdraw from the world? randome Feb 2013 #118
That is one of the most extreme Strawman Logical Fallacies I have seen on DU! bvar22 Feb 2013 #130
I truly don't enter into discussions here to prove myself right or wrong. Or to 'save face'. randome Feb 2013 #133
It is obvious you want "something", bvar22 Feb 2013 #136
Is that a Haiku? randome Feb 2013 #138
Let's say I am a Chinese dissident blogger in the U.S....with my posts I've become a problem Katashi_itto Feb 2013 #120
Then the world economy collapses and so does China. randome Feb 2013 #123
How so? That would be a throwback to M.A.D. doctrine Katashi_itto Feb 2013 #125
I think it is a form of M.A.D. randome Feb 2013 #128
I agree all conjecture...oh we might have a bit of frosty relations for a while... Katashi_itto Feb 2013 #129
No. The only countries that could do that are Mexico, Canada, and Cuba Recursion Feb 2013 #7
You aren't thinking beyond this year BainsBane Feb 2013 #18
I think you're missing the big point here: we have drones, and a Navy Recursion Feb 2013 #20
my point stands BainsBane Feb 2013 #22
They'll probably have it out with India in the next half century Recursion Feb 2013 #25
they can sit back and watch us sink ourselves BainsBane Feb 2013 #57
That's ridiculous. Everyone knows the US, not China, determines International Law.... Junkdrawer Feb 2013 #9
LOL, good one! n-t Logical Feb 2013 #32
China would not risk hitting a Wal*Mart or one of their managers ... eom Kolesar Feb 2013 #23
Let's Go A Smaller Scale... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #35
In Africa, they're going at each other with machetes and machine guns now. randome Feb 2013 #38
It Wont Be Long... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #44
But they have no reason to pick a war with America. randome Feb 2013 #48
The Point Is About The Proliferation Of These Weapons... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #53
How would we ever be a security threat to China? randome Feb 2013 #63
Weapons Sales For Fun and Profit... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #73
Eh. The technology for nuclear bombs is everywhere, too, and we still maintain a balance of power. randome Feb 2013 #74
Cost Comparison... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #90
when's the last time ANYONE has 'declared' war.....the earth is in a perpetual state of war spanone Feb 2013 #41
Comoros, against Anjouan, in 2008 Recursion Feb 2013 #58
Reduction to the absurd Gman Feb 2013 #61
You are unnecessarily making this complicated. We are the good guys. Nuff said. rhett o rick Feb 2013 #65
I hope it was sarcasm! n-t Logical Feb 2013 #96
It was intended as sarcasm, but a lot of DU posters use it for justification. nm rhett o rick Feb 2013 #105
I agree! It amazes me at times! n-t Logical Feb 2013 #121
As I see it, we all have our individual reality boxes. Some are willing to expand their rhett o rick Feb 2013 #137
You are right as rain, logical. Your detractors as per usual will plethoro Feb 2013 #66
I think I would welcome the justice strikes! Assuming they say "they picked me with care" Dragonfli Feb 2013 #71
Not so far fetched Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #79
It wouldn't last long slackmaster Feb 2013 #82
They could also ProSense Feb 2013 #83
Perhpas you could explain why the USA doesn't send drone strikes into China, or North Korea? Sheepshank Feb 2013 #88
Lol, because they would fight back! Understand now?? n-t Logical Feb 2013 #95
Then the real fun will begin malaise Feb 2013 #92
If we were harboring anti-Chinese terrorists and not doing anything about it.. DCBob Feb 2013 #100
Imagine Canada nuking Des Moines... SidDithers Feb 2013 #101
Imagine Sarah Palin with wings, swooping down to zap all unbelievers with her deadly eye beams! randome Feb 2013 #103
Pew! Pew!... SidDithers Feb 2013 #113
The U.S. has been known to accept dissidents from China and other countries... DreamGypsy Feb 2013 #102
I doubt any such thing would happen. MineralMan Feb 2013 #110
At a minimum, others who use drones to kill their enemies located on U.S. soil should be as indepat Feb 2013 #115
they would if they could arely staircase Feb 2013 #117
That is an excellent point. I also think it's wrong for the USA to stand alone as the drone senders Sunlei Feb 2013 #124
Multiple reasons why your analogy doesn't work. stevenleser Feb 2013 #126
really only one reason, though all of yours are valid arely staircase Feb 2013 #131
It's much easier to imagine us buying drones from China 'cuz they're cheaper. Tierra_y_Libertad Feb 2013 #132
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