Drone Wars, Kill Lists: A Dark, Deplorable Chapter in America's History

[woo me with science]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Drone-Wars-Kill-Lists-A-by-michael-payne-120607-317.html

Drone Wars, Kill Lists: A Dark, Deplorable Chapter in America's History
By michael payne (about the author: http://www.opednews.com/author/author23439.html)

Historians will laud America as a world power, a nation and a people of resolve and creativity that accomplished many great things; its high points in medical breakthroughs, space exploration, sending a man to the moon, and the internet. But they will also include a special chapter to describe the era when this nation descended to one of the lowest points in its history -- that's right here, right now.

Most Americans have become quite familiar with President Obama's rapidly escalating use of drone wars that are indiscriminately killing both suspected terrorists and innocent civilians across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen; those remote-controlled drones that routinely violate the air space and borders of nations. But they had no idea that this same President Obama, as recently reported by the NY Times, maintains a "Kill List" in the Oval Office by which he personally decides which person will be the next target.

What in the world is happening here in America? After G.W. Bush took us into the illegal, destructive wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we saw the emergence of one Barack Obama, a symbol of hope for our nation; he was the self-appointed agent of change who inspired America with the stirring words of "real change" and "yes we can." Well, apparently, that was no more than an illusion. Yes, we are seeing change come to America but, unfortunately, it's exactly the worst kind that we might imagine.

O.K. so now most everyone in America must be fully aware that this president is escalating the drone wars and is maintaining a kill list. So what is the reaction in America? The mainstream media, except for the NY Times who exposed the kill list, just yawned and looked the other way; even MSNBC, the liberal TV news outlet remained silent, not daring to criticize this president no matter what he does....

(much more at link)

[Luminous Animal]

1. American's may be yawning but the rest of the world is more critical

U.S. drones deeply unpopular around the world.
http://www.salon.com/2012/06/13/u_s_drones_deeply_unpopular_around_the_world/singleton/

The new multi-nation poll finds that “in predominantly Muslim nations, American anti-terrorism efforts are still widely unpopular.” Beyond Muslim nations, “in nearly all countries, there is considerable opposition to a major component of the Obama administration’s anti-terrorism policy: drone strikes.” Specifically, “in 17 of 20 countries, more than half disapprove of U.S. drone attacks.” As usual, “Americans are the clear outliers on this issue – 62% approve of the drone campaign, including most Republicans (74%), independents (60%) and Democrats (58%).” But in every other surveyed country besides India (which naturally supports any attacks in Pakistan), more people disapprove of Obama’s drone strikes than approve, usually by very wide margins. Indeed, “the policy is unpopular in majority Muslim nations, but also in Europe and other regions as well”; specifically, “at least three-in-four [are opposed] in a diverse set of countries: Greece (90%), Egypt (89%), Jordan (85%), Turkey (81%), Spain (76%), Brazil (76%) and Japan (75%).”

[morningfog]

3. Great graphic. Blowback can be hell. I hope Obama will

come to his senses before it is too late, if not already.

[whatchamacallit]

4. No surprise

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=673570

[woo me with science]

6. That's quite a chart.

Thank you.

[IADEMO2004]

2. If Obama was indiscriminately killing he wouldn't have a kill list.

I would hate being President and have to make real life or death decisions. I hope he has accurate information we don't know about and the strikes are the correct choice.

[morningfog]

5. Most of the strike target's identitites are not known.

Most are strikes on "behavior" observed from high above. That is why there are so many innocent people being killed.