Collateral damage

More civilians were killed in a raid recently while trying to take out terrorists. This time, it involved an eight-year-old girl that was killed as collateral damage in Yemen. Her brother was already killed by drones before. He too was collateral damage. Their father, Anwar al-Awlaki, who was also killed by drones back in 2011 because of his ties to Al-Qaeda. Whatever you feel about this, there's one thing we should do: leave the children out of it.

What is the US doing in Yemen? I understand the idea of taking the fight to the terrorists, which sometimes leads to less than ideal circumstances. (Unfortunately, one American soldier was killed in the operation.) I also believe terrorism is an actual threat.

But what about the collateral damage that we are doing? How many more non-combatants need to be killed, which anger young people to become terrorists. They attack us. We attack them. And also why are we going to a country that doesn't pose as a threat? Why are getting involved with a conflict over there? The cycle continues. This needs to stops. America needs to focus on its own soil to build up this country rather than going abroad and killing innocent people as collateral damage in its quixotic quest to eradicate every terrorist.

If we want to keep the country safe, then build a fortress out of America. Pull the troops everywhere and bring them home to protect the borders and coasts. If America wants, then build multiple walls and fortifications. Better vet people before they come into this country. Also, do what you can to have successful and friendly relationships with as many nations as possible. Be at peace with as many people as you can. I don't care.

Just stop going abroad and making enemies around the world by accepting collateral damage of innocent people, especially children, as a way of life when taking out terrorists. Don't you think the terrorists are surrounding themselves on purpose with women and children so it looks bad every time the US strikes? This pragmatism just makes America a target for retaliation.

Wars can't be on autopilot

According to a recent column from Antiwar.com, the drone assassination program seems to be currently on autopilot. It seems that this may be the case since there's no current CIA director. The CIA is in charge of the drone program. The one that Trump picked as CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, hasn't been confirmed yet. But how can the CIA conduct drone strikes without a director? It seems that they are just doing it anyway.

Over the weekend, there were two drone strikes in Yemen. This recent drone strike killed three alleged Al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen. Though it's not confirmed, the US is suspected in the making the strikes. If it's from the US government, this would be the first drone strikes under President Trump. Of course, using drones to kill enemies isn't new. It was done frequently under the Obama administration.

While drones may save the lives of soldiers conducting a mission, the problem with them is that there have been civilians killed in these attacks. In other words, collateral damage. Because of this, people around the world, especially in the areas we use them, don't like the United States. If the United States wants to stop being hated around the world, it needs take a second look at the use of drones.

In Trump's inaugural speech, he said that he won't try to impose the will of America on other nations and it will be America First. If he believe this, then he needs to put the brakes on the drones.

The president must use caution before using these things. It cannot be the go-to device when dealing with a problem.

At this point, President Trump can't be blamed completely since he just took office less than a week ago. However, if the drone attacks continue, or continue as they have been, then the buck stops with him and he needs to be held accountable.

Killing human lives cannot be done on autopilot. What a drone sees in its sights is people. They could be civilians and innocent lives. And if there are terrorists or enemies, there might be non-combatants that surround these cowards. When the drones kills children and families, then hatred builds towards the US and creates more terrorists as a reaction to these killings. The cycle will continue until we really take the drone warfare off autopilot in our thinking.

This isn't a video game. We can't treat people as some expendable pixels. Taking a human life shouldn't be taken lightly. It should be used as the last resort if all other peaceful or restrained means have failed.  

An opportunity

To those who advocate peace and liberty,

We have an opportunity now to encourage President Trump to pursue a path of peace and non-intervention.

Based on Trump's inaugural address, the President seemed to be more focused on building the country up rather than imposing the US's will on other nations.

And Trump has hinted that he's not interested in military adventurism and nation building during his campaign. He even criticized the Iraq War and George W Bush for going in and leaving a disaster.

He also seems to be skeptical of the military industrial complex, such as questioning the cost of the F35 program. And he seems to be skeptical of the intelligence community.

If this is true, then it's an encouraging start to roll back the Empire. Of course, there's a lot of work to be done, such as ending the spying apparatus, drone warfare, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the bases and troops worldwide, foreign entanglements, Guantanamo Bay, and the military industrial complex. The list goes and on and on.

The path to peace and liberty is hard work and there will be set backs along the way. But the point is to keep forward and speaking out in spite of these possible obstacles and set backs.

Of course, we need to stand against this President if he pursues a path of destruction and carnage. For now, we an have opportunity.

There might be deep reservations we have about this new president. I know I do. But based on the things regarding foreign policy and war, we might have an opportunity to seek a common ground with the President to pursue peace and prosperity.

He distrusts the mainstream media. And chances are, you as well. And since we might share that common thread, we can reach out to him easier and get his ear more to pursue peace.

Only time will tell whether President Trump will continue to road towards Empire and destruction or will change course towards peace and life.

I pray that peace will prevail in this nation and in the heart of this new President.

Sincerely,

The Praying Peacenik