There are big questions that come with these two stories, one from the NEW YORK TIMES and the other from an upcoming book KILL OR CAPTURE.
Drones. Warfare. Security. All big issues. But how we deal with those issues? That may be the bigger issue.
How we handle these big issues will tell a lot of us: It is how we, as a people, now fight our wars and define our enemies. It showcases what we are able to ‘live with’ in order to get the bad guy of the day. It also has implications on the homefront. If you haven’t noticed recently, news organizations en masse have finally been reporting on how drones are going to be used by police in the skies above you, and me, and all of us, here in the United States.
If the term of civilian could be broadened by a chief executive, could civilian also eventually be broadened by a police chief? By an FBI head.. by a CIA diretor…?
The drones will be watching. Cameras on and glaring down below.. if you have a fence that protects you from your neighbor because you like to sunbath nude, the drone will enjoy the view.
The future of the drones may be that they are armed. And if they are armed they can strike just as they do in Pakistan and Afghanistan. And if a few civilians die to get a target… will a future generation care?
Moral questions…
The type that no one is comfortable asking.