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We should all be concerned about our nation's drone warfare
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It's alarming that the CIA is urging the White House to significantly expand the agency's fleet of armed drones to continue lethal air strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and now North Africa, while using the attacks on the U.S. diplomatic outpost in Benghazi to bolster the need to continue the endless "war on terror" ("CIA Wants More Armed Drones," Oct. 19). These action-at-a-distance weapons allow the United States to destroy targets in the Mideast while "hiding" in places like Nevada. Oftentimes, those who operate the drones do so with complete impunity for the thousands of innocent civilians who get caught in their crossfire.
In her new book "Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control," U.S. activist, author and founder of Codepink Women for Peace and Global Exchange Medea Benjamin explains why the use of drone warfare is inflaming sentiment against the United States and making our country less safe. Just back from a peacekeeping trip to Pakistan, Ms. Benjamin will give firsthand accounts of the illegal and immoral ramifications of drone warfare on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the University of Pittsburgh and again that evening when she accepts the Peace and Social Justice Award from the Thomas Merton Center at The Sheraton in Station Square.
Every U.S. citizen should be concerned about the use of this aggressive type of warfare and demand international dialogue about the direction, ethics and legality of the use of drones by the United States.
FRANCINE PORTER
Shaler
The writer is coordinator of Codepink Pittsburgh Women for Peace and a board member of the Thomas Merton Center in Garfield.
First Published October 25, 2012 12:00 am
