The Drone Ranger modifies his tactics
-Geaux
U.S. Military Changes Drone Rules To Make Targeting Of Civilians Easier | Zero Hedge
Submitted by Michael Krieger of Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,
The drone issue is just another topic in which President Barrack Obama has proven himself to be a world-class liar and master of deception. Despite his claims that drone strikes do little damage to civilian populations, in July we discovered that of the 746 people killed in drone strikes in Pakistan from 2006-2009, an incredible 20% were civilians and 94 (13% of the total) were children.
I suppose that number just isnt good enough, because The Pentagon has decided to change the rules of engagement when it comes to drone strikes, now making it easier to target civilians. From The Washington Times:
The Pentagon has loosened its guidelines on avoiding civilian casualties during drone strikes, modifying instructions from requiring military personnel to ensure civilians are not targeted to encouraging service members to avoid targeting civilians.
Hey cops, how about you try to avoid beating the shit out of people and violating their constitutional rights for no reason. Yeah, because thatll work.
In addition, instructions now tell commanders that collateral damage must not be excessive in relation to mission goals, according to Public Intelligence, a nonprofit research group that analyzed the militarys directives on drone strikes.
Administration officials say the strikes are legal because the U.S. is at war with al Qaeda and its associates. They also insist there is a wide gap between the governments civilian casualty count and those of human rights groups.
Right, we are at war with al Qaeda, when it is convenient to be at war with them. When it is convenient to be allies with al Qaeda, we will do that too.
Despite Mr. Obamas pledge for more transparency on drone strikes, the administration continues to answer legitimate questions and criticisms by saying, We cant really talk about this, said Naureen Shah, advocacy adviser at Amnesty International.
Cant. Make. This. Stuff. Up.
-Geaux
U.S. Military Changes Drone Rules To Make Targeting Of Civilians Easier | Zero Hedge
Submitted by Michael Krieger of Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,
The drone issue is just another topic in which President Barrack Obama has proven himself to be a world-class liar and master of deception. Despite his claims that drone strikes do little damage to civilian populations, in July we discovered that of the 746 people killed in drone strikes in Pakistan from 2006-2009, an incredible 20% were civilians and 94 (13% of the total) were children.
I suppose that number just isnt good enough, because The Pentagon has decided to change the rules of engagement when it comes to drone strikes, now making it easier to target civilians. From The Washington Times:
The Pentagon has loosened its guidelines on avoiding civilian casualties during drone strikes, modifying instructions from requiring military personnel to ensure civilians are not targeted to encouraging service members to avoid targeting civilians.
Hey cops, how about you try to avoid beating the shit out of people and violating their constitutional rights for no reason. Yeah, because thatll work.
In addition, instructions now tell commanders that collateral damage must not be excessive in relation to mission goals, according to Public Intelligence, a nonprofit research group that analyzed the militarys directives on drone strikes.
Administration officials say the strikes are legal because the U.S. is at war with al Qaeda and its associates. They also insist there is a wide gap between the governments civilian casualty count and those of human rights groups.
Right, we are at war with al Qaeda, when it is convenient to be at war with them. When it is convenient to be allies with al Qaeda, we will do that too.
Despite Mr. Obamas pledge for more transparency on drone strikes, the administration continues to answer legitimate questions and criticisms by saying, We cant really talk about this, said Naureen Shah, advocacy adviser at Amnesty International.
Cant. Make. This. Stuff. Up.