Killer Drones in Yemen
There is much talk about Drones in the air these days. But all drones, unmanned aircraft systems, are not equal. There was an article in today’s newspaper called: Remote-controlled aerial photo industry encountering political turbulence. The concern was that the business use of drones for legitimate aerial photography would be hurt by a new state bill limited the use of drones. As one of the legislators pointed out that as long as these private drones were being used for legitimate purposes, like videoing a ski jump competition, there would be no problem.
The main use of drones, in the past, was for spying. The CIA found drones more useful than U-2 planes in spying on other countries. In the Iraq and Afghanistan war spy drones were extensively used for drones. There might be some questions on the use of spy drones invading privacy right but many would say drones have a role in spy work.
Drones came to our attention when Killer Drones became extensively used to assassinate alleged criminals or terrorist and often killing innocent people. Under the present administration and our commander and chief a new arms race has been initiated in drone warfare. Drones, what many call Killer Dones are used all over the world not only in war zones but in countries not at war. The USA uses Killer Drones to assassinate persons in countries we are not at war with. Each week, our President approves a “kill list’ for the CIA to assassinate persons with drones. Despite what is said about drone accuracy the truth, as reported by witnesses, is that many innocent persons, including children, are killed by USA drones.
Recently Yemeni activist Farea al-Muslims testified on Capitol Hill about the terror of the U.S. drone wars. After having the benefit of a US education he returned to his village to tell them about the glories of the USA. However, six days before the Congressional hearing his village was struck with a drone attack. The man targeted by the drone attack was well known in village and the government could easily have arrested him. Innocent people were injured and killed in his village. He told the congressional hearing how after the attack this same village that mostly by his stories admired America was changed. He said: “Now, however, when they think of America, they think of the terror they feel from the drones that hover over their heads, ready to fire missiles at any time. What the violent militants had previously failed to achieve, one drone strike accomplished in an instant. There is now an intense anger against America in Wessab.”
Earlier in the Featured Article on this web page I reprinted an article by Bill Quigley, a human rights lawyer called Five Reasons Drone Assassination are Illegal. I think many of us would say Killer Drones are not only illegal but immoral and unjust. Killer drones have escalated warfare and brought a new level of violence, hatred and killing to the world.
Private drones for legal aerial photography most would say are okay. Many would say that “spy drones” are okay. But there is no legal, moral or just justification for Killer Drones. The horror of Killer Drones, illegal, immoral and unjust will only stop when we all, Democrat and Republicans, liberal and conservatives, men and woman, black and white all need to say in word and action ‘Enough’ NO More Killer Drones”
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