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In reply to the discussion: The disconnect by Americans re violence in Syria is sickening. [View all]DirkGently
(12,151 posts)38. Wait. Drone strikes don't kill civilians and children?
2) The Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates the following cumulative statistics about US drone strikes:[3]
(As of July 2013)
Total strikes: 370
Total reported killed: 2,548 - 3,549
Civilians reported killed: 411 - 890
Children reported killed: 168 - 197
Total reported injured: 1,177 - 1,480
Strikes under the Bush Administration: 52
Strikes under the Obama Administration: 318
(As of July 2013)
Total strikes: 370
Total reported killed: 2,548 - 3,549
Civilians reported killed: 411 - 890
Children reported killed: 168 - 197
Total reported injured: 1,177 - 1,480
Strikes under the Bush Administration: 52
Strikes under the Obama Administration: 318
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drone_attacks_in_Pakistan
We can argue superior motives all we want, but at a certain point, dead people you have no right to be killing are all the same.
How many times are we going to buy the argument that when the U.S. / wealthy / allied countries wage war in the Middle East, it is only out of a sense of moral urgency, when
- We actually kill more people than the proposed evil dictators
- We don't act the same way at all regarding Africa, or anywhere else that is not as strategically important
- We ignore atrocities, by the same people, some of whom we helped install, for as long as it is convenient.
These are not secrets. We know how this works. We are rationalizing violent intervention for strategic and commercial reasons.
Some people think that's okay. That we need to be hip-deep in the ME at all times to keep the oil flowing, or to keep Russia or China from gaining more influence, or because Halliburton and Blackwater profits will trickle down or whatever.
Why can't we talk about that, instead of pretending, again and again and again, that we are white-knighting around "for the good of the people?"
Nobody thinks that.
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you are actually comparing US drone strikes to gassing civilians and napalming children?
arely staircase
Aug 2013
#1
Most swedes would probably say one should always be ready to kill for your countries security
Arcanetrance
Aug 2013
#97
That's not true. In Vietnam B-52's carpet bombed, killing indiscriminately. They
rhett o rick
Aug 2013
#112
Dead is dead. One weapon is not morally superior to another. They are exactly the same thing.
bowens43
Aug 2013
#55
Do you think our drone strikes haven't killed innocent civilians, including children?
MNBrewer
Aug 2013
#57
When was the last time Assad bombed another country clear across the sea? nt
kelliekat44
Aug 2013
#17
According to this poll 42% support military action, or 50% if the action is cruise missile strikes.
bornskeptic
Aug 2013
#105
We (the US Marine Corps) also allegedly used white phosphor as an anti-personnel munition
HardTimes99
Aug 2013
#69
The US had its chance to carry out humane actions in Rwanda where there was no chance for
kelliekat44
Aug 2013
#16
Saddam gassed the Kurds, 4 months later Rumsfeld was shaking his hand, sent by Reagan to
Bluenorthwest
Aug 2013
#40
Ahem, Saddam "allegedly" gassed his own people. That allegation has never been
HardTimes99
Aug 2013
#76
The only reson we are going to war is that MIC needs a boost to their quarterly profits.
Katashi_itto
Aug 2013
#36
No disconnect here, they will kill each other with or w/o our intervention..
Historic NY
Aug 2013
#42
So, you think Obama is worse than Assad, but how dare anyone accuse you of being an Obama-hater, nt
geek tragedy
Aug 2013
#46
You see, Assad only used poison gas once, but Obama does something just as bad every week.,
geek tragedy
Aug 2013
#71
Putting words in other posters mouths is getting pretty low. You getting desperate? nm
rhett o rick
Aug 2013
#115
And where else did 3K civilians get killed by terrorists one fine morning?
BeyondGeography
Aug 2013
#52
So, you're considering Assad the weak as he 'wages war; against the strong
geek tragedy
Aug 2013
#73
How would you characterize what the Assad regime is doing--comitting terrorism against
geek tragedy
Aug 2013
#79
Seems to me you're trying to hijack the thread from the OP's point, which is that the U.S.
HardTimes99
Aug 2013
#93
"As for what [rightwing nationalist] Abe said, I agree and support what he said." - Bonobo
Romulox
Aug 2013
#82
Pretty much just the US because the US military was the last one standing after the 20th century
The2ndWheel
Aug 2013
#121
How will he learn to properly kill babies and others if we don't show him? We gotta blow up
jtuck004
Aug 2013
#123