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It's worth pointing out that the 50-1 civilian to "bad guy" ratio comes from Pakistani intelligence, and no other sources have it that high. The figures are al
by wdewind 13y ago
It's worth pointing out that the 50-1 civilian to "bad guy" ratio comes from Pakistani intelligence, and no other sources have it that high. The figures are also only about Pakistan, where as far as I know we have no (or significantly fewer) JTACs. You're also talking about significantly different missions, whereas in one drones are supporting ground units and in another they are the primary unit.
I don't trust American figures about drone strikes, but I certainly don't trust Pakistani intelligence either.
- fit2rule 13y agoAmericas' own Brookings Institutes' conservative estimate is 10 to 1. That is still heinous.
- wdewind 13y agoI agree 10 to 1 is heinous, but it's far from unheard of in warfare w/o drones http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_casualty_ratio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_casualty_ratio
- fit2rule 13y agoNo buts. Anyone who justifies any expenditure into technology-of-death over technology-of-life, is simply worshipping death. America would be far less violent if its people had to deal with its delivery on a more personal basis than the current technological means provide..
- wdewind 13y agoI have to be honest: I don't think you actually read the article. Here's another one to read too: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-08/psychological-toll-drone-warfare http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-08/psychologic... Drone pilots are dealing with the delivery on a more personal basis than much of the rest of the military, even arguably infantry soldiers. I absolutely do not worship death, and that's a pretty inflammatory thing to say. I also think your grouping of "technology of life" vs. "technology of death" is far to simple. For one thing we are currently communicating over a medium originally designed to monitor nuclear silos.