News Item: Philip Alston, the independent U.N. investigator on extrajudicial killings reported today that "Governments must come clean on their methods for killing suspected terrorists and insurgents especially when using unmanned drones, because they may be committing war crimes " stated the New York University law professor.....
It reminds me of the conversation that Colonel Thomas Devoe (played by George Clooney) has with Dr. Julia Kelly (played by Nicole Kidman) in the movie, The Peacemaker:
Thomas Devoe: " Doctor, you can run your charts and your theories all you want. In the field, this is how it works: the good guys, that's us, we chase the bad guys. And they don't wear black hats. They are, however, all alike: they demand power, and respect...."
Enclosed is my response to the good Professor - I'm quite proud that I restrained myself from using the type of " Sailor Language" that he deserved when I sent him the enclosed message:
Sir -
I have read of your 29-page report to the U.N. Human Rights Council regarding the use of Drones on the battlefield, and specifically the way these drones are used. I am a retired US Navy Seabee and I was in Iraq for the Battle of Fallujah. Presently I work in Afghanistan, supporting US Military operations by working for a large military contractor. I have seen the effects of war, felt the heat of battle and understand the implications of what War means for both civilians and combatants. I have witnessed good men die and also what War does to the civilian population.
Sir, we are engaged with an enemy that does not recognize the " Rules of War ". They do not care for anyone, or anything and will kill women, children, old men and anyone else who in the area to accomplish their goal of killing westerners or anyone they consider as " Infidels". In fact, they will kill people of their own faith as a method of accomplishing what they want.
Here are the figures for the past month, May 2010
Monthly Jihad Report May, 2010
Jihad Attacks: 150
Countries: 14
Religions: 5
Dead Bodies: 729
Critically Injured: 1591
Sir, it must be easy to sit in your fine offices and pontificate regarding the use of drones, but the technology we utilize is the key advantage that we have over an enemy that hides among the populace and kills without hesitation, remorse or common decency. Our enemy does not wear a uniform and will hide among the populace and use them as human shields.
Sir, you need to spend some time on the ground in Afghanistan - visit a village where all the teachers were shot because they allowed young girls to attend school or where a shopkeepers and his family were murdered because they were thought to be cooperating with the Afghan Government & the US. Visit the wards of a few hospitals where the children who were wounded in a bomb blast at a market lie in beds, their lives forever changed because the terrorists wanted to run up a large body count to keep people in fear. Take a walk through a hospital ward at Bethesda Naval Hospital or Walter Reed where young warrior are trying to recover from roadside bombings or other attacks.
Our enemy is a group of murderous thugs who do not deserve any rights as they have deprived others of theirs. Once you have committed the unspeakable acts such as honor killings, beheadings, roadside bombings, hijackings, bombings of schools, Mosques and other place of worship, you have forfeited your right to be granted anything.
I include the words of Winston Churchill, who stood alone against another Terrorist. His opponent killed his own people by the millions. Churchill knew the heat of battle and I feel that may be the difference. You sit in posh offices while others, at the risk of their lives, pay for the very freedom you enjoy. Your freedom is provided by mainly 18-22 year old men & women who are out there, 24/7/365, defending our country and others against those who would wish us dead.
Sir Winston Churchill summed it up succinctly:
" We ask no favours of the enemy. We seek from them no compunction. On the contrary, if tonight our people were asked to cast their vote whether a convention should be entered into to stop the bombing of cities, the overwhelming majority would cry, "No, we will mete out to them the measure, and more than the measure, that they have meted out to us." The people with one voice would say: "You have committed every crime under the sun. Where you have been the least resisted there you have been the most brutal. It was you who began the indiscriminate bombing. We will have no truce or parley with you, or the grisly gang who work your wicked will. You do your worst - and we will do our best."
Sir Winston Churchill – English Prime Minister
First delivered 14 July 1941
I challenge your point of view sir because I feel it is shortsighted and allows the terrorists to continue their wicked killing sprees and would seek to make our protective forces "criminals". Many sought to cast doubt on the use of the Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima & Nagasaki at the end of World War II. I applaud President Truman for his Leadership, Courage and determination to put a stop to a war that had cost the lives of innocent millions.
I seek the same for our forces here and around the world. Ask Daniel Pearl's widow how she feels, or any of the families of those killed on 9/11. I am sure you will get the same answer that I have given you.
" We will have no truce or parley with you, or the grisly gang who work your wicked will. You do your worst - and we will do our best."
I agree with the Late Winston Churchill 100% and will do my best to support all those who seek an end to these murderous thugs, by any means necessary.
Sincerely,
Middleboro Jones
US Navy Veteran OIF
Presently at Camp Leatherneck
Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
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