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Killing at a comfortable distance

The Spokesman-Review

Horrors! Drone warfare! (“Armchair pilots fly vital missions,” March 5). Using $3 billion a year of our tax money! Is there no end to new weapons of killing that our country’s addiction to war can’t dream up?

A Las Vegas resident can kiss his wife goodbye in the morning and drive 40 miles to his job of piloting an unmanned aircraft, killing humans 7,500 miles away, then return home to enjoy a backyard barbecue or soccer game. Long-distance killing: “the vanguard of a revolution in warfare.”

The first Predator carrying weapons was rushed to Afghanistan four days after 9/11, and now there are more than 7,000 in use. Critics say that the problems involved in killing civilians is inflaming sentiment against us; that the entire program is counterproductive and should be shut down.

Real, lasting security can only be achieved by peace. When will we ever learn?

Gloria Dehmer

Spokane

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