Originally posted by: McNinja
Me saying soldiers dying in war is expected was in response to a post saying civilians dying in a war is expected. I fail to see the outrage over the statement.
I don't think I've said drone use is something that's been going on for decades, in fact my point relating to the original debate has been that the entire use of drones is still an evolving field.
If it is an evolving field, its too early to write it off as "ineffective". And, since no one has better ideas for a solution, the US will have to try methods that reduce risk to its own troops.
What I did say was that the US is practicing the same policies it has been for decades now, policies that played a huge role in creating the mess in the M.E region. America has a history of intervening, for whatever self-interest, which has only left nations ravaged by civil war and anarchy, we can look to Afghanistan during the 80s..leading to the eventual rise of Taliban, Afghanistan today, Libya, Iraq. There's no doubt of the region being in turmoil but its ignorant to assume the US isn't part of the problem, as hard as it is for some to accept. You may be tired of people pointing fingers at the US, but they're not undeserved. I still don't see anyone pointing out how our current policies have helped us or the issues at hand?
America has played politics to further its interests, strengthen its nation... How is that wrong? Or, are you suggesting that the US become altruistic? If America was doing things in self interest, what was stopping the ME nations from doing the same? Actually, they were! The Afghans wanted to get rid of USSR, Pak wanted military and financial support from the US, most of these oil rich countries have benefitted monetarily from US's thirst for oil... None of these countries were giving freebies!
What in your opinion was Pak doing in promoting terrorism across its borders in India? Was that not in "self-interest"? What goes around... comes around! Karma is a b**ch (you like that expression, I know)!
Most of all, how long will the blame be dragged on? If historically America did something wrong and has to pay the price for it, what about what the British did all over the world, what about what the Europeans did in the Americas (with the Natives) and the same in Australia, what of the Mughal rulers plundering India? Who will pay the price for that? If we have let bygones be bygones and moved on, why not now?
I have never undermined the current situation and the need to take action, so I don't know where that assumption comes from. But I do believe its better to look at things from both side, to understand the history, and to accept shortcomings of all involved rather than blindly support a military that's failing to deliver any progress.
Why are you making the assumption that I am "blindly" supporting a military? Sure, I may empathise with the US military more than I do with the Pak military/govt. and I have my reasons for it, not the least of which has to do with the havoc it has played with India. I do however empathise with the people of Pak; esp. the poor and illiterate that are clueless about how they have been taken for a ride by their military, govt., religious heads...
As far as your assumption that I don't know anyone deployed, I'm not sure how this should change my views on a war that's leading to needless lives lost. Perhaps because to me it doesn't matter if a civilian or soldier killed is American or Iraqi, I base my views solely on what's wrong and right. But if in fact you do think that should have some bearing on my opinions, then yes I actually have family members that have been deployed to Iraq and friends currently in Afghanistan...note the plural.
I made no assumptions regarding your affiliations to the US troops, a mere conjecture for plausible reasons your sympathies lying more with Pak. Have you expressed these opinions to those people you mention in plurality above? What do they have to say about it? You have, I know and they concur with your opinion. Just to clarify, I also happen to know more than one person in the US armed forces, many actually. Let me give you an example... I have a neighbor who is a doctor in the marine corps and he came back from deployment last month. He has a 3 yr. old boy and they are expecting twin boys any day now. Can you imagine the stress his wife went through during her pregnancy? And, for what? Would you blame her if the US army wants to use drones so her husband and his colleagues can be safe?
Anyway, I'm not here to turn atheists into believers. But I do firmly believe and hope people learn to understand all POVs and the history leading to current world affairs, so as to combat the ignorance.
I hope, you honestly are not calling me ignorant, but if you are no worries.😃 All you and I will do is sip our pina-colodas, watch the beautiful sun set over oceans and hypothesize what someone else should not be doing! As Col. Jessup said in "A Few Good Men"...
Jessup: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom! You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall! You need me on that wall! We use words like "honor", "code", "loyalty". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "Thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!
Cricket
