Gransnet forums

News & politics

Drone strikes

(109 Posts)
grannyactivist Thu 19-Nov-15 01:42:08

'The killing of innocent civilians in drone airstrikes has acted as one of the most “devastating driving forces for terrorism and destabilization around the world”', say American drone operators.

In one major special operations program in northeastern Afghanistan called Operation Haymaker 35 individuals targeted for assassination were actually killed in drone strikes, but 219 other non-targeted individuals were also killed. That's a 'collateral damage' rate of six to one and may include women, children and babies.
theintercept.com/drone-papers/the-assassination-complex/
www.mintpressnews.com/new-york-times-buries-intercept-whistleblowers-shocking-drone-war-disclosures/211023/

Do grans who advocate bombing Syria think the killing of IS forces is worth the price being paid by innocents who also die in drone strikes?

Anniebach Tue 24-Nov-15 21:20:16

soon, could you look at a child and tell him/her - I believe you have to die for the greater good

soontobe Tue 24-Nov-15 19:50:53

I did know little about it back then.

I dont remember writing anything at all about the last part of your post. If you want to link to it, feel free.

Iam64 Tue 24-Nov-15 19:42:42

Soontobe - your current posts on the possibility of the Uk joining in the bombing in Syria are a far cry from those you posted earlier this year. I remember more than one occasion when you said you knew little about it and that as it was happening a long way away it wouldn't affect you.

soontobe Tue 24-Nov-15 15:57:45

Pres Obama doesnt want to have blood on his hands.
Jeremy Corbyn doesnt want to press the button.

Guess what? Nor do other people, but sometimes we have to act on behalf of other people.

soontobe Tue 24-Nov-15 15:38:36

I don't think the killers of the innocent people in Paris were fair, but I agree with Jen, I don't want to think or be equal to those killers by killing innocent people , this would put me on their level

But that is ultimately selfish.
It is the bigger good that matters.

Anya Tue 24-Nov-15 13:49:12

Exactly Ceesnan and one of the main reasons that drones are used is they can target more accurately. I bet the jihadists are playing up the 'you're killing innocent children' angle to the max.

Anniebach Tue 24-Nov-15 09:37:15

I don't think the killers of the innocent people in Paris were fair, but I agree with Jen, I don't want to think or be equal to those killers by killing innocent people , this would put me on their level

Ceesnan Tue 24-Nov-15 06:58:51

So if it's not "fair" to use drones durhamjen, does that mean that you think the scum who murdered those innocent people in Paris were playing "fair"? Sorry, but you need to lose the rose coloured specs and face up to reality.

durhamjen Mon 23-Nov-15 23:14:59

www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/ba-pilots-eye-damaged-by-military-laser-shone-into-cockpit-at-heathrow

This is a bit worrying as well.

soontobe Fri 20-Nov-15 16:21:10

carrying anthrax or other deadly chemical!

I think I am right in saying that is hard to get the right chemicals?

Ana. Yes jihadists. Only 50,000 according to someone who has written a book and studied the subject

www.amazon.co.uk/The-ISIS-Apocalypse-Strategy-Doomsday/dp/1250080908
for anyone who is interested

Ana Fri 20-Nov-15 16:07:48

It seems to me, that there are only about 50,000 of them. Which is a tiny number.

Who are you talking about, soontobe? If you mean jihadists, I think that figure is a massive underestimate.

nigglynellie Fri 20-Nov-15 15:50:01

No, I think what you're saying is very relevant granjura. It would be very easy for a terrorist to use drones in this way. Oh dear, one .more horror to worry about!

granjura Fri 20-Nov-15 15:17:04

I know we are not talking about this kind of drones- but I am seriously concerned about the proliferation of small private 'toy' dromes for the public. It would be quite 'simple' for such a 'toy' to be deliberately dropped in an inner city centre or stadium, carrying anthrax or other deadly chemical!

What do you think? (and sorry for diversion to another kind of drone'

soontobe Fri 20-Nov-15 14:41:34

If we are playing a numbers game, your way is and will be far far worse. Partly because they wont stop until............................ they kill each other I suppose.

nigglynellie Fri 20-Nov-15 14:40:48

So how do we do that luckygirl? Sit back and let these maniacs kill us all including the poor people in the middle east?

soontobe Fri 20-Nov-15 14:38:09

Who do you think is getting killed right now?

Luckygirl Fri 20-Nov-15 14:22:57

It is precisely because civilians would be killed in a war that we need to avoid escalating one.

soontobe Fri 20-Nov-15 14:18:15

It seems to me, that there are only about 50,000 of them. Which is a tiny number.
They can cause damage and upheaval and fear, but personally, number wise, when this is all over, purely by numbers, I dont think they will have killed or injured vast numbers.
Obviously I could be wrong.
But for me at least, I dont see this as being on a par of ww3

nigglynellie Fri 20-Nov-15 14:15:34

You're absolutely right soon, not to involve civilians would be completely impossible, protection of our armed forces is of top most importance.

soontobe Fri 20-Nov-15 14:07:06

I dont get why anyone ever thinks that war is possible without innocent people getting caught up in it.

It has never been possible, and still isnt even in these more technological times.

Anniebach Fri 20-Nov-15 13:46:08

I don't want any member of our armed forces hurt, but a child in Syria is not there by choice , I have a son in law presently working in the Middle East and I fear for him but it is his choice

nigglynellie Fri 20-Nov-15 13:41:12

No one wants innocent people killed, but keeping service personnel as safe as possible is top priority in the situation we now find ourselves in. We all know what will happen to airmen who fall into IS's hands, and their protection is paramount. I'm afraid this can't be compromised under any circumstances imo.

grannyactivist Fri 20-Nov-15 10:33:45

nigglienelly as someone who has a near relative currently serving in the military and having had a son in law killed in Afghanistan believe me when I say that I want service personnel kept as safe as possible. I also don't want anonymous drones killing innocent people at the rate of 6/1 for every legitimate target killed. Trying to square that circle keeps me awake at night; literally, at the moment.

soontobe Thu 19-Nov-15 19:16:53

The people we should be talking to are the moderate muslims - they are the ones who can wield the influence needed.

I think I thought that about 12 months ago. But not so sure there is that much they can do at this very late stage.

soontobe Thu 19-Nov-15 19:15:20

I am against war but accept when all else fails then there is no other option .

How many years would you be willing to wait?