Anti-Drone Activism war, drones were flying over Yemen executing “terrorists.” There is a growing disconnect between what is being articulated as values and what is being done in practice. Ms. Benjamin's book is timely as a guide in how to respond to this incongruity. Instead of stopping the “scourge of war,” the military has simply changed the tactics from “boots on the ground to assassins in the air.” What is the problem with drones anyway? Aren't they a more efficient way of doing war, as the administration declares? The majority of Americans are not opposed to this practice, as many polls have determined. The book serves as a rebuttal of a recent statement by Jay Carney, the President's spokesperson, who declared the use of drones as “ legal, ethical, and wise.” (2.6.2013) Drones are nothing new in the military. Ms. Benjamin points out that the technology has existed for decades, going back to World War I. The development of the drone is traced in her book from the earliest use to present day use. It wasn't until 1999 that spy drones were transformed into “killer drones” in US operations, although the Israeli military had been using them for some time longer. After 2001, the use
Review of Medea Benjamin's
Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control by Connie ToteraHutchinson As the debate about drone warfare has been highlighted in the past few weeks in the mainstream media due to the controversial confirmation hearings of John Brennan for CIA chief, Medea's book about Drone Warfare is a must read. It is a book dedicated to the innocent victims of drone warfare and a guide to move the process of debate and action forward. This is a 241 page book that is well researched and easy to read. It highlights the growing menace of robotic warfare, which is producing the drones, where they are being used, who is “piloting” these unmanned planes, who are the victims and what are the legal
and moral implications. It also looks at what activists, lawyers and scientists are doing to ground the drones. Medea Benjamin is a cofounder of the peace group CODEPINK and the international human rights organization Global Exchange. She has been an advocate for social justice for more than thirty years. Ms Benjamin was a recent honoree at the Thomas Merton Center's Award Dinner in November of 2012. Ms. Benjamin knew in 2002 that she could never be “lulled into thinking that hightech wars were somehow more humane.” This is one of the main issues in the current debate As President Obama was being inaugurated on January 21, 2013, stating that he was putting an end to perpetual
the drone operator is sick —Joshua Zelesnick
the drone operator is sick too much shooting at targets windows used as faces in the ground what distant planet would zero in and FIRE that body’s moving and it’s a real live crawling boy roger that sickness of a building rocking inside his cockpit zeroing in with precision great american heroes puts the air in air power the drone operator is sick look at him he has gone too long without seeing for real, human is target he doesn’t recognize me, walks right past intense stares right through what, this disease he can’t see faces
Joshua Zelesnick teaches composition and creative writing at Duquesne University and at the University of Pittsburgh. He's on the Volunteer Organizing Committee of the Adjunct Faculty Association of the United Steelworkers.
of drones exploded “40fold.” In 2012, $3.9 billion was spent on drones. Many private companies are making money from these killing machines, as people are suffering from them. Capitalists profiting from the Military Industrial Complex at the expense of others is nothing new. Indeed it is a growth market, especially after 2001, and as human services are being slashed. An estimate of $94 billion will be spent within the next 10 years on research and development of drones. US companies take the lead, with General Atomics in San Diego being one of the them. They manufacture the Predator and the Reaper and are believed to be the largest manufacturer of drones in the world. Aerovironment is another company making mini drones. Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, are all in on the profits. In addition, and not surprising, many other countries are developing their own drone warfare. This “insane proliferation” leaves us with “nightmare possibilities,” as Barbara Ehrenreich comments. It raises the question of where do we want our money and our resources to go, toward war, or peace? As of October 2011, the US has been operating 60 bases for drones around the world, including Africa, Ms. Benjamin points out. In addition there are many classified and secretive dealings utilizing drones including the CIA , the Joint Special Operations Command ( JSOC) , and private
contractors such as government is going to kill Blackwater, according to Ms. them?” Benjamin. Citing the Bureau In addition, the drone arms of Investigative Journalism, race is underway with many Ms. Benjamin writes that countries already using drone between 2004-2011, the CIA technology and developing conducted over 300 drone more. It Reminds one that war strikes in Pakistan, killing is not over, but is just some 2500 people. The JSOC changing into that is even more secretive. And “nightmare.” all three of these agencies Connie Toterahave limited or no oversight. Hutchinson, LPC, CAC The highest profile drone is a Member of the Antistrike was that of 3 Americans war Committee of the killed in Yemen in 2011, all Thomas Merton Center. without charges or due process. The TMC Anti-War Committee Senator Ron will coordinate with a national Wyden asked push in April to end drone this question at warfare. If you would like to the recent CIA join us in the planning of this confirmation hearings: event, please attend our next : “Does a US meeting, which will take place citizen have the on March 3, at 1:30 at the right to know Thomas Merton Center. when their
Nine Brave People Arrested for Blocking Gate to Hancock Drone Murder Base in Upstate NY by David Swanson for warisacrime.org
displayed while blocking the gate. Report and photo courtesy of Ellen Grady, via Malachy Nine opponents of killing Kilbride, here's a list of 35 names human beings with missiles shot of people from across the country from drones were arrested on who will be going to court at some Wednesday nonviolently point for actions against the interfering with the drone kill drones. (Others, of course, already program (taken to include the have been to court and in some routine use of drones in cases are behind bars): Afghanistan and Pakistan as well Dan Burgevin, Jim as the targeted kill list) at Hancock Clune, Jack Gilroy, Air Base near Syracuse, NY. Martha Hennessy, Bryan The nine arrested for Hynes, Ed Kinane, Rae disturbing the war were Matt Kramer, Julienne Ryan, Carmen Trotta, Nancy Oldfield, Mary Snyder, Gowan, Bill Pickard, Bill Streit, Elliott Adams, Judy Jim Clune, Ellen Grady, Linda Bello, Mark Colville, Letender, and Mary Anne Grady Paul Frazier, Clare Flores. Grady, Mary Ann Grady Seen here is a sign they -Flores, Andrea Levine,
Bonny Mahoney, Mike Perry, James Ricks, Mark ScibiliaCarver, Paki Weiland, John Heid, David and Jan Hartsough, Sharon Delgado, Jane Kesselman, Shirley Osgood, Ann Wright, David Barrows, JoAnn Lingle, Toby Blome, Alli McCracken, Joan Nicholson, Eve Tetaz, and Jonathon Tucker.
March 2013
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