Air strike kills 15 civilians in Yemen by mistake

[GimpSpack]

It is easy to point the finger at Obama (or any politician) when his actions/orders result in the deaths of innocents. But consider this short chain of reason:

The state assumes that it has the authority and right to use violence against others.

The state is nothing more than a group of men and women. Many of these individuals are elected and many are appointed by those elected.

These men and women are given an air of legitimacy by those who participate in electoral voting. Were it not for voters' participation, their actions/orders would have no more legitimacy than the actions/orders of a common mass murderer or serial killer.

Given the above, if the actions/orders of members of the state result in the deaths of innocents, isn't there blood on the voters' hands? Are not those who participate in electoral voting - the very people who legitimize this facade called the state - also responsible for the innocents' deaths?

Why should voters be excused from the chain of responsibility?

Yes, this.

The public needs to be held accountable.

The thing is, I don't expect the common man to understand politics, the complexities of government, keep track of war statistics, etc.

It's okay not to involve yourself in those things. But when you perpetuate the "legitimacy" of the system while in a state of lazy ignorance, you need to be held accountable for what these assholes do.

The public sucks.

 

[productionhead]

The public (collective) believes in the Good.

They vote with the idea that the Good is in their politicians.

The politicians are individuals. And individuals can be Bad. So some do Bad things.

The collective knows the Good, but individuals have their own motives.

 

[Zaino]

 

[tomaszjot]

But intentions were good.

 

[kingofsp]

QFT

"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, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could 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." - A Few Good Men

The argument that killing some to save others is a-ok is absurd, considering that the people that make that argument are alive, when they could instead take the care to kill themselves properly in a hospital waiting room and save like 5-7 doomed lives with their healthy organs. 5 is more than 1 still, right?

 

[GerardWon]

...because drone striking what is largely innocent brown people makes us safer! and couldn't possibly result in blowback like 9/11!


...because offensive military operations in multiple countries is equivalent to guarding walls!

also, well played if troll.

The argument that killing some to save others is a-ok is absurd, considering that the people that make that argument are alive, when they could instead take the care to kill themselves properly in a hospital waiting room and save like 5-7 doomed lives with their healthy organs. 5 is more than 1 still, right?

I, of course, did know my post would not be well received - I have been here more than a few years after all. Furthermore, I know that most members here will always believe that we should not be involved and just hide our heads in the sand and all will be well with the world. Perhaps.

Please though just consider this: Obama and Bush could not be more diametrically opposed politically, philosophically and yes even culturally; yet the Obama administration has by and large kept Bush's miltary objectives: Gitmo is still open and we are still in the the mid-east. Why do you suppose this is? Is it possible that when you are elected president you are sat down and briefed by the DIA, CIA, FBI and the military; and after hearing how truly dangerous the world really is you say to yourself: HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!

Personally, I think this is the case. You of course, do not. That is all.

PS: Yo hehejo: Fuck You and your mommy u little bitch

 

[Cath Erder]

Why were the 15 civilians in Yemen by mistake?

 

[Unarmed Gunman]

Obama and Bush could not be more diametrically opposed politically, philosophically and yes even culturally

If you believe this, then we've identified the root of your problem.

 

[GerardWon]

If you believe this, then we've identified the root of your problem.

I do believe it. Because it's true. I also know that if you take away all the window dressing it is just a guy behind the curtain pulling the levers, but that doesn't negate the fact that the lever was indeed pulled.

 

[Johnathan]

Accidentally take out an entire wedding party. I don't know how the decision makers for these strikes could sleep another night in their lives.

Drone operators are known to have extremely stressful lives, resulting in suicides and abnormal PTSD.

 

[dreamscape]