Originally Posted by suckseed
I have no idea whether the machines pictured are actually supposed to represent the kind of machines the article is talking about. But when I saw the picture (which runs at the top of the article online), I immediately flashed to 'Robocop'. Now, these things won't be as smart as us, true. But if the thing is armored to hell and is built to run down some alley and start blazing away, I'm pretty sure it will be effective at doing what it is designed to do, kill. Will it only kill bad guys? What do you think?
The problem is trying to fight an enemy that hides in civilian areas. I deplore killing, but I am not there. Time and time again an interviewed soldier says you can't know unless you've been there. My little brother just got out of the Army. Lucky for him he was in air defense, and wasn't needed. He's a great guy, but he's a kid, raised on deer hunting, football and video games. If I was in a situation say, out in the woods here at home, and been shot at a couple of times, it would probably be very bad for someone to surprise me if I had a gun in my hands. And so civilians die, people start to hate us, our reputation goes down the chute globally. We're supposed to be the country that's made up of people from all over the world, that sets the standard for a place that works hard and treats people well. Obviously we fucked up right away with slavery, but unless I'm dreadfully mistaken the USA has overall been in there with 'the good guys.' But, IF the stories we've been hearing are true, we've been acting in ways that are supposed to be deplorable to us as a people. I question the whole point of this war, beyond the fact of whether it was militarily feasable or well planned, or squandered opportunities to build trust and secure weapons and explosives stockpiles. They went in with too few people. Why? Why not allow for some contingiencies? If they're so intent on a military solution, why do they do it half-assed? It's like the military hated Clinton for not staying in Somalia. What are they going to feel when the history books are written about this war? Here in Oregon, it was, I believe, a member of the house of representatives who procured helmet liners for all the men and women in her son's outfit. They bring down head injuries significantly, cost a few bucks. Government wouldn't provide them. You want me to attack a hornet's nest without a beesuit? I've got something in my pocket for you.
Side tracking for a moment, let's take the current situation regarding giving up certain rights to privacy. Now, theoretically, we can say, hey, let 'em check my phone records, bank accounts, whatever. I've got no real problem with it, except in feeling like my parents are going through my room and I'm 13 or something. But, the problem in giving up freedoms is, you never know who's going to be working these government offices that get to look at everyone. If people with bad intentions have access to every bit of your life and decide that they don't like you...that's, um not good.
Personally, I can only hope that we get through the next two years and the people start talking about this. I've held out for a while that maybe things have to get bad to get better. It's just unfortunate to live in a time where the stakes seem to be so high. It's a lot to take in. But I appreciate being able to talk about it.
It would be nice if people could stick to arguing a point with intellect over simply emotion. In my opinion, that merely dumbs down the level of the thread.
McManaman! I'm an american. I'm not an asshole, i'm a freakin' musician who's into neil young and dylan. when you make generalizations, you just look emotional. how many different type of people are there where you live? Probably more than one, I bet. Don't confuse an administration with the people. We're all in some kind of struggle.