Drones: an ethics and privacy minefield

[leo9]

That's the key really. Supposing a terrorist training camp were found in rural Wales. If the RAF go and bomb them - perhaps there's no time to get police or ground troops into the area - is that an act of war by the British government against itself? Of course not. Now, supposing rather than an RAF Tornado, an American F-15 from RAF Lakenheath did the same (possibly even flown by British personnel: there are a few British F-15 pilots as it happens, though I don't know if Lakenheath has any) - act of war, or act of friendship?

Fascinating question, so let's make it more accurate. Suppose the US knew about the camp but didn't tell the UK government, but just went ahead and took it out (along with any civilians nearby - hey, they were around, they were probably in league with the bad guys.) Well, knowing our government, I've no doubt at all that they would tug their forelocks and say "Thank you kindly, Master." But I'm not sure the general public would be so universally grateful.

Back in the days of the Troubles, the British military intelligence knew the IRA had bases in Eire, and in some cases probably had the map references and a list of the people there. But having an old fashioned respect for international law, we didn't send a plane over to bomb them. The interesting question is, if we had, do you think it would have weakened the IRA (whose entire political platform, remember, was that they were fighting the Brits on behalf of all the Irish people,) or improved co-operation with the Irish government?

Really, it's a question of whether we as a country identify with the terrorists, or those fighting against them. I think the fact the Pakistanis are angry about American troops fighting with the terrorists in Pakistan, rather than with the terrorists themselves, speaks volumes about their allegiance.

If only it were that simple.

If someone invaded my country to attack someone they (not I) had a problem with, I would feel justified in protesting even if I had not the slightest sympathy with their targets. Wouldn't you?

[thir]

If someone invaded my country to attack someone they (not I) had a problem with, I would feel justified in protesting even if I had not the slightest sympathy with their targets. Wouldn't you?

And that is the problem in a nut shell: Killing by drones is highly questionable in itself, but doing it in a country not declared war with, is simply murder.

I cannot understand why this has not caused an outrage. The fact that is hasn't I find disturbing in the extreme.

Has there been so much killing that nothing matters anymore???