tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post6023432517820640192..comments2024-02-10T18:19:36.406-08:00Comments on Newspaper Rock: Weaponized drone = Indian savageRobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01478763837213733775noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-75309559216869743272010-07-15T00:09:55.332-07:002010-07-15T00:09:55.332-07:00America uses its weaponized drones for "targe...America uses its weaponized drones for "targeted killings"--i.e., cold-blooded assassinations. Who thinks being associated with that is an honor?<br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/02/un.targeted.killings.report/index.html?hpt=T2<br /><br /><b>U.S. is world's top user of targeted killings, U.N. says</b><br /><br />The United States was identified Wednesday as the world's No. 1 user of targeted killings -- largely as a result of its dependence on unmanned drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.<br /><br />A report released by the United Nations called the drone attacks part of a "strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability" and warned that they are contributing to an erosion of longstanding international rules governing warfare. It urged states to identify publicly the rules of international law believed to provide a basis for any attempted targeted killings as well as the rationale for deciding to kill instead of capture individuals.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01478763837213733775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-35224795749280202842010-06-03T11:49:45.474-07:002010-06-03T11:49:45.474-07:00No, throwing bodies into a battle without regard f...No, throwing bodies into a battle without regard for life or death isn't a recipe for military success. Most victories depend on the brains of the commanders, not the brawn of the soldiers.<br /><br />"Killing machine" is obviously a metaphor in a sports context, Geno. It's called poetic license.<br /><br />A drone is "mindless" in the sense that once you activate it, it seeks out and kills its quarry without further input. That's different from a helicopter or other manned machine, where humans can choose whether to act until the last moment.<br /><br />If the military likes Indians so much, why doesn't it name its aircraft carriers and battleships for them? And name its killer drones for US presidents and other "great white fathers"?Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01478763837213733775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-9967521649555039852010-06-01T06:49:56.625-07:002010-06-01T06:49:56.625-07:00Actually, it is an honor. I mean, I have yet to se...Actually, it is an honor. I mean, I have yet to see a soldier doing a war dance for the other soldiers. Or even for recruitment.<br /><br />The military actually likes Indians. And not just because Indians serve disproportionately.<br /><br />Also, the drones aren't "mindless" any more than a helicopter is; there's a puppet master behind all technology. For now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29769707.post-80805090008889704212010-05-31T18:16:21.906-07:002010-05-31T18:16:21.906-07:00Actually, I think that is more of an "honor&q...Actually, I think that is more of an "honor" than a sport teams mascot. Here's why--<br /><br />The U.S. Military does not have a mascot. Nor do they play dress up as "injuns" on the battlefield.<br /><br />Secondly, they name their highly advanced war technologies after Native American Tribes or Chiefs. Which means they favor Native Americans names over that of Cowboys and Settlers.<br /><br />And as for the "mindless killing machines" bit, I think that's more of an exaggeration on Rob's part(as usual). If the Native was a "mindless killing machine" on field of sports, we would be seeing the many deaths of whites sportsmen don't you think?. Simply put--if Natives were actually "mindless killing machines" in our history, certainly, we would be victorous on the battlefield? I like to think so.<br /><br />~GENO~Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com