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[TD="bgcolor: #ffffff"][url=http://chris-floyd.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/2247-hymns-to-the-violence-the-nyts-love-letter-to-obamas-murder-racket.html]Hymns to the Violence: The NYT's Love Letter to Obama's Murder Racket[/TD]
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[TD="class: contentheading"]GOVERNOR MARY FALLIN JOINS DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD TO ANNOUNCE NEW UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS PROGRAM IN OKLAHOMA[/TD]
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[TD="class: createdate"]Thursday, 28 June 2012 19:06[/TD]
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Release from Office of Governor Mary FallinGovernor Mary Fallin today joined officials from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) and the Oklahoma National Guard in announcing that Oklahoma has been chosen as the test site for the DHS Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety (RAPS) Program. The program will research and test Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), focusing on possible applications for first responders, including search and rescue scenarios, response to radiological and chemical incidents and fire response and mapping.Work is expected to begin this fall at Oklahoma State University's Multispectral Lab (UML) test site near Lawton, Oklahoma. The program will be operated by UML and takes advantage of the restricted airspace around Fort Sill, a U.S. military base also near Lawton. The Oklahoma National Guard will be a key partner with both DHS S&T and the UML as the RAPS program develops.RAPS is expected to represent a $1.4 million investment in Oklahoma in the first year of operations with potential for significant growth in future years. The program is expected to last at least three years.Fallin said the announcement represents an exciting development for Oklahoma, and a major success for the Unmanned Aerial Systems Council assembled by her in 2011 and headed by Secretary of Science and Technology Stephen McKeever."Aerospace is one of the most important sectors of Oklahoma's economy, supporting over 150,000 jobs around the state and accounting for more than $12.5 billion in industrial output each year," Fallin said. "Within that industry, unmanned aircraft systems represent the fastest growing part of the aerospace sector. For that reason, Oklahoma is committed to becoming the number one place for UAS operations, research, experimentation, design and testing in the country. Today's announcement represents a big step in that direction.""Not only does UAS research attract investment and jobs to the state of Oklahoma, but it allows us to be part of an exciting new technology that will help our first responders as they work to save lives and keep our citizens safe. My thanks go out to all the parties involved in this exciting new project, especially Dr. McKeever and the other members of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Council."Dr. John Appleby of DHS S&T, a senior program manager at the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency Science and Technology Directorate and the director of RAPS, said that he was impressed with the potential for UAS development in Oklahoma."After visiting more than a dozen sites in various southwestern and western states, I have selected Oklahoma as the venue for the Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety Program, with the intent to begin flying at Fort Sill as soon as possible," said Appleby. "I continue to be impressed by the quality of UAS ideas and approaches in Oklahoma, the high level of experience and subject matter expertise concerning this technology and the breadth of available resources in the state needed for the program."Adjutant General Myles Deering of the National Guard said UAS technologies have the potential to provide invaluable assistance to guard members in first-responder scenarios."Whether it's responding to severe wildfires, floods or other state emergencies, the ability of the National Guard to react quickly to events on the ground is one of the most important factors in preventing loss of life," said Deering. "The use of unmanned aerial systems can help the Guard to gain quick tactical awareness, locate individuals who may be in immediate danger and respond accordingly. It also allows us to do all this at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft and without putting Guardsmen in danger."McKeever said today's announcement was a precursor to more work in the field of UAS."Our hope is that today's announcement is just the beginning," McKeever said. "When it comes to UAS technology, the possibilities are nearly endless. We expect UAS to be the wave of the future in the aerospace industry, and Oklahoma will continue to be on the cutting edge of this exciting new technology."
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"Where is the intersection between the world's deep hunger and your deep gladness?"
Just an interesting historical note - the Nazis were the first to develop 'drone' technology, but in its modern form the first were tested and developed in Area 51 in the early to mid 1960s.
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
Peter Lemkin Wrote:Just an interesting historical note - the Nazis were the first to develop 'drone' technology, but in its modern form the first were tested and developed in Area 51 in the early to mid 1960s.
Sounds like a direct inheritance.....
"It means this War was never political at all, the politics was all theatre, all just to keep the people distracted...."
"Proverbs for Paranoids 4: You hide, They seek."
"They are in Love. Fuck the War." Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon
"Ccollanan Pachacamac ricuy auccacunac yahuarniy hichascancuta." The last words of the last Inka, Tupac Amaru, led to the gallows by men of god & dogs of war
Looks great! Can't imagine the Police put it up - nor the City...so it must be a protest poster, very professionally done! Sign of the times. All who think that bad times in America COULD come had best wake up. They HAVE! Long overdue for the American Spring!
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
Peter Lemkin Wrote:Looks great! Can't imagine the Police put it up - nor the City...so it must be a protest poster, very professionally done! Sign of the times. All who think that bad times in America COULD come had best wake up. They HAVE! Long overdue for the American Spring!
Peter - agreed.
This has to be a fine case of protest art.
The NYPD might promote their drone capability, but I can't believe the graphic would show a drone missile targeting women and chlidren.
Unless the Volkland Security complex simply no longer cares about looking Evil....
"It means this War was never political at all, the politics was all theatre, all just to keep the people distracted...."
"Proverbs for Paranoids 4: You hide, They seek."
"They are in Love. Fuck the War." Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon
"Ccollanan Pachacamac ricuy auccacunac yahuarniy hichascancuta." The last words of the last Inka, Tupac Amaru, led to the gallows by men of god & dogs of war
26-07-2012, 09:48 PM (This post was last modified: 26-07-2012, 10:15 PM by Peter Lemkin.)
Jan Klimkowski Wrote:
Peter Lemkin Wrote:Looks great! Can't imagine the Police put it up - nor the City...so it must be a protest poster, very professionally done! Sign of the times. All who think that bad times in America COULD come had best wake up. They HAVE! Long overdue for the American Spring!
Peter - agreed.
This has to be a fine case of protest art.
The NYPD might promote their drone capability, but I can't believe the graphic would show a drone missile targeting women and chlidren.
Unless the Volkland Security complex simply no longer cares about looking Evil....
Having lived in San Diego right near the Mexico border. That image of the family running is the EXACT one ICE and DHS uses to warn drivers on the freeways that families sometimes run across the highway [and are killed doing so]. All it would take to put those posters in the cases is the key of the company that does the advertising [or break the lock with a screwdriver, etc.]. Can't imagine that NYPD will let them stay up long. It seems guerrilla war has finally come to the USA...lets hope it is not too late!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]3900[/ATTACH]
If it were a real NYPD poster, they'd be saying we were all 'illegales'.....[which I'm sure the Native Americans would agree with...]...AND targets for death from above - silently, secretly and without due process of any kind - before; during;after.
Seems to me the country is about ready to explode or implode.....Lee Harvey Holmes is just one of many signs...this being another counter sign of the times.
By the way the posters say 'Protection When You Least Expect It!' [ATTACH=CONFIG]3901[/ATTACH] :lol::lol::lol::pinkelephant:I'll bet its Occupy Related.
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
The Pentagon is considering awarding a Distinguished Warfare Medal to drone pilots who work on military bases often far removed from the battlefield. . . .
[Army Institute of Heraldry chief Charles] Mugno said most combat decorations require "boots on the ground" in a combat zone, but he noted that "emerging technologies" such as drones and cyber combat missions are now handled by troops far removed from combat.
The Pentagon has not formally endorsed the medal, but Mugno's institute has completed six alternate designs for commission approval. . . .
The proposed medal would rank between the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Soldier's Medal for exceptional conduct outside a combat zone.
So medals would be awarded for sitting safely ensconced in a bunker on U.S. soil and launching bombs with a video joystick at human beings thousands of miles away. Justifying drone warfare requires pretending that the act entails some sort of bravery, so the U.S. military is increasingly taking steps to create the facade of warrior courage for drone pilots:
The Air Force has been working to bridge the divide between these two groups of fliers. First off, drone operators are called pilots, and they wear the same green flight suits as fighter pilots, even though they never get in a plane. Their operating stations look like dashboards in a cockpit.
And drone pilots themselves are propagating boasts of their own bravery more and more:
Luther (Trey) Turner III, a retired colonel who flew combat missions during the gulf war before he switched to flying Predators in 2003, said that he doesn't view his combat experience flying drones as "valorous." "My understanding of the term is that you are faced with danger. And, when I am sitting in a ground-control station thousands of miles away from the battlefield, that's just not the case." But, he said, "I firmly believe it takes bravery to fly a U.A.V." unmanned aerial vehicle "particularly when you're called upon to take someone's life. In some cases, you are watching it play out live and in color." As more than one pilot at Holloman told me, a bit defensively, "We're not just playing video games here."
Whatever one thinks of the justifiability of drone attacks, it's one of the least "brave" or courageous modes of warfare ever invented. It's one thing to call it just, but to pretend it's "brave" is Orwellian in the extreme. Indeed, the whole point of it is to allow large numbers of human beings to be killed without the slightest physical risk to those doing the killing. Killing while sheltering yourself from all risk is the definitional opposite of bravery.
This is why the rapid proliferation of drones, beyond their own ethical and legal quandaries, makes violence and aggression so much easier (and cheaper) to perpetrate and therefore so much more likely. In the New York Times today, Thomas Ricks, echoing Gen. Stanely McChrystal, calls for the re-instatement of real conscription because subjecting all of the nation to the risks of combat is the only way to finally restrain America's posture of Endless War ("having a draft might, as General McChrystal said, make Americans think more carefully before going to war"); conversely, cost-free, risk-free drone warfare does the opposite. If the mere act of taking steps that will result in the death of others makes one "brave," consider all the killers who now merit that term: dictators who order protesters executed, tyrants who send others off to war, prison guards who activate electric chairs.
As for the claim that drone "pilots" are not engaged in the extinguishing of human life via video games, the military's own term for its drone kills "bug splat," which happens to be the name of a children's video game and other evidence negates that. FromMichael Hastings in Rolling Stone:
At first, many pilots resisted the advance of drones, viewing them as nothing but a robotic replacement for highly trained fighter jocks. . . . Now, given the high profile and future prospects of drones, pilots are lining up to operate them, volunteering for an intensive, one-year training course that includes simulated missions. "There is more enthusiasm for the job," says Lt. Gen. David Deptula, a fighter pilot who ran the Air Force's surveillance drone program until 2010. "Many pilots are excited about operating these things."
For a new generation of young guns, the experience of piloting a drone is not unlike the video games they grew up on. Unlike traditional pilots, who physically fly their payloads to a target, drone operators kill at the touch of a button, without ever leaving their base a remove that only serves to further desensitize the taking of human life. (The military slang for a man killed by a drone strike is "bug splat," since viewing the body through a grainy-green video image gives the sense of an insect being crushed.)
As drone pilot Lt. Col. Matt Martin recounts in his book Predator, operating a drone is "almost like playing the computer game Civilization" something straight out of "a sci-fi novel." After one mission, in which he navigated a drone to target a technical college being occupied by insurgents in Iraq, Martin felt "electrified" and "adrenalized," exulting that "we had shot the technical college full of holes, destroying large portions of it and killing only God knew how many people." Only later did the reality of what he had done sink in. "I had yet to realize the horror," Martin recalls.
Human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson recently recounted numerous cases of horrifying civilian deaths involving Pakistani teenagers whose lives were ended by drones, and she observed that "this PlayStation warfare is only risk-free for operators of these remote-controlled killers." She added that the use of the term "bug splat" for drone victims "is deliberately employed as a psychological tactic to dehumanise targets so operatives overcome their inhibition to kill; and so the public remains apathetic and unmoved to act," and that "the phrase has far more sinister origins and historical use: In dehumanising their Pakistani targets, the US resorts to Nazi semantics. Their targets are not just computer game-like targets, but pesky or harmful bugs that must be killed."
I don't doubt that some drone attackers experience some psychological stress from knowing that they are eradicating human beings with their joysticks and red buttons (though if it's only "bugs" who are being splattered, why would the stress be particularly burdensome?). But that stress is nothing compared to the terror routinely imposed on the populations in numerous Muslim countries who are being targeted with these attacks. And whatever else is true, drone warfare is already so exceedingly cheap and easy that the temptation to use it regularly is virtually irresistible. Collectively venerating it as an act of "bravery" (of all things), deserving of war medals, is only likely to shield it even further from critical scrutiny and challenge.
![[Image: drone_rect-460x307.jpg]](http://media.salon.com/2012/07/drone_rect-460x307.jpg)
![[Image: bugsplat.png]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WozwEDF1N4/T_yqQmgAP5I/AAAAAAAABL0/rPZoesYOgYQ/s1600/bugsplat.png)