Collateral Damage: The Equations

ALLAN NAIRN: Well, now, as the U.S. is losing its edge economically, it has one clear comparative advantage. And that’s in killing. And it’s using it. Obama has increased the attacks on Afghanistan, Pakistan. Brookings Institution last year estimated that for every one militant, as they put it, killed in Pakistan, the U.S. drones kill 10 civilians. –Allan Nairn: As U.S. Loses Its Global Economic Edge, Its “One Clear Comparative Advantage is in Killing, and It’s Using It,” Democracy NOW!, December 29, 2010

How does the “one militant per ten civilians killed” Drone Equation compare to other approved “collateral damage” equations? Well, during the Bush Administration, if a bombing strike was expected to kill more than 29 innocent men, women and children, the White House had to approve it. What would that be like . . . .

In the case of The Obama Administration, the acceptable “collateral damage” kill number has, apparently, been increased to 50 innocent civilians.

On the bright side, if you stay with groups larger than 50, the U.S. militaryindustrialcongressional complex may at least need a presidential order before it can kill you by mistake.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The latest reported drone strike: –US Drone Strike Kills at Least Six in North Waziristan, House, Vehicle Hit in Attack, Identities of Victims Unknown, by Jason Ditz, January 07, 2011

18 thoughts on “Collateral Damage: The Equations”

  1. Pingback: Bonnie Kristian
  2. In the case of The Obama Administration, the acceptable "collateral damage" kill number has, apparently, been increased to 50 innocent civilians.

    I have some questions about this policy:
    Do babies/small children count as one complete person, or is it a 2-to-1 ratio?
    And what about innocent people who are only wounded or maimed by the bomb? Do they count as part of the kill ratio, or are you allowed to wound any number of innocents?
    Is there a time limit on when the civilian dies; do they have to be immediately killed to count in this "acceptable" range, or die within 24 hours?
    Who can answer these questions for me?

    1. Good questions, martron3000! I wouldn't count on a straight answer from the government, that's for sure.

  3. If the innocent civilians were near the 'target', they were probably related. Which,of course, makes them potential future enemies.
    In keeping with the Sheridan principle of 'injun-fightin' that "nits breed lice", it's best for future peace and security to leave nothing but smoking ruins and stinking carcasses as example to those who would do evil on freedom.
    Heinrich Himmler claimed that one could do a 'dirty job' and still remain a decent human being. America is proving him correct.

  4. this is the bad news for Obama.this would be occur in Obama Administration.I am with him to support and consolation for him in that moments.

  5. According to the DOD 33-35 is oaky, I guess they figured out that most of the time the targetted area has less than 35 humans plus the terrorist.

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