Bush Administration Bans Some Land Mines

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is banning land mines that cannot be located with metal detectors, a move designed to set an example to other nations and to protect mine hunters.

"We hope to inspire other countries to follow," said Lincoln P. Bloomfield Jr., assistant Secretary of State for political-military affairs.

Bloomfield said in an interview Tuesday that he did not think U.S. land mines were causing any harm and that the only ones remaining were from the 1960s.

Last Feburary, the Bush administration said it intends to stop using land mines that are not timed to self-destruct to prevent harm to civilians.

However, the United States has declined to join the 150 nations that have signed an anti-land mine treaty, which bans all anti-personnel mines. The treaty permits land mines designed to destroy vehicles, including mines that are not detectable, officials said.


http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-land-mines,0,4905256.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[bpilgrim]

1. the ones the other side uses

news at 5:00

peace

[Tweed]

12. Good one

[hopein08]

13. Completely thinking the same thing!

Will it never end?

[fryguy]

2. "inspire other countries to follow"

now there's a novel concept for the administration.....

[DireStrike]

3. Attn enemies: Please unilaterally disarm. That is all.

[MaineDem]

4. "designed to set an example to other nations"

Hello!!!

What about the other 150 nations that already ban them, you fuckwits!!!

Edited for a typo.

[progressiveBadger]

5. That's what I was thinking

Their double-speak is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. I've never seen so much recent news where the Republican quotes make absolutely no sense.

[left15]

8. the other 150 banned anti-personnel mines

not vehicular mines.

The US non-metallic ban covers all mines.

Also

FYI

US mines have a battery type device in them, and it is designed to only last 180 days or so once it is activated. After that they will no longer explode.

[pinniped]

10. What's to prevent someone from planting another one?

And another and another?

[Torque67]

11. Nothing.

You can plant another one after the expire time. The hope for the self-expiring mines is that after the conflict is over, it's not there for 20 years waiting for some hapless person to wander along and activate it. So, they can replace them as needed during conflict, but 6 months after replacement, the mines should be far less dangerous.

[One_Life_To_Give]

6. Don't ask about Sub-Munitions though n/t

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. WMD ----> wistful mine distraction n/t

[Massachusetts]

9. Praise Gee Sus

Kinder, gentler nation.

[no_to_war_economy]

14. when children play in areas w/ land mines

do they always bring along their metal detectors!

[Massacure]

15. Hopefully children won't be in a warzone within 6 months of a war.

Any smart nation, would declare martial law after a war so they could clean up the mines they left behind.

Too bad we can't call Bush smart.

[gardenista]

16. Kick for Khephra

[gardenista]

18. .

[gardenista]

17. kick for Khephra

[NYC]

19. Not a landmine, but a WW2 bomb was found in Berlin or Potsdam

yesterday. The bombs are still dangerous.

There are frequent landmine injuries in Vietnam because of the landmines left behind.

Once again, Bush claims to be leading the way when he is not even following.

[NYC]

20. Khephra.

[koneko]

21. Kick!

:kick:

[koneko]

22. Kick!

:kick:

[miss_kitty]

23. kick for Khephra

[Misunderestimator]

24. kick

[Scout]

25. kick