The four USAF military drone operators who recently blew the whistle and exposed the callousness and complete lack of concern for civilian casualties of the US drone assassination programme, (and received very little mainstream media exposure), yesterday found their bank accounts and credit cards all blocked by the US government. The effects of that on daily life are devastating. My source is their lawyer, Jesselyn Radack, through the Sam Adams Associates (of which we are both members).
No criminal charges have been brought against any of the men, despite numerous written threats of prosecution. Their finances appear to have been frozen by executive action under anti-terrorist legislation. This is yet a further glaring example of the use of “anti-terror” powers against people who are not remotely terrorist.
More whistleblowers have been jailed under Obama than under all previous US Presidents combined. Even so, the US authorities seem wary of the publicity that might surround prosecution of these servicemen, who only spoke of the effect upon their own health of having repeatedly to carry out heartless and often untargeted killings.
So their lives are being destroyed in other ways. You will forgive me for recalling that I know how they feel because I have been through just the same thing myself.
When I blew the whistle on UK complicity in torture and extraordinary rendition, I received numerous written threats from the FCO under the Official Secrets Act, and for a while I lived in daily expectation of arrest. Still more hurtful were the constant denials from Jack Straw and his repeated assertion that the UK was never complicit in torture, that there was no such thing as extraordinary rendition, together with the frequent imputations to journalists and politicians that I was in poor mental health and an alcoholic. I never had my bank account suspended, but there were interventions with prospective employers that prevented my getting another job.
Still, I had it easy. Chelsea Manning will celebrate her birthday in jail on 17 December.
It is worth recalling what these drone operators told us:
Bryant said the killing of civilians by drone is exacerbating the problem of terrorism. “We kill four and create 10 [militants],” Bryant said. “If you kill someone’s father, uncle or brother who had nothing to do with anything, their families are going to want revenge.”
The Obama administration has gone to great lengths to keep details of the drone program secret, but in their statements today the former operators opened up about the culture that has developed among those responsible for carrying it out. Haas said operators become acculturated to denying the humanity of the people on their targeting screens. “There was a much more detached outlook about who these people were we were monitoring,” he said. “Shooting was something to be lauded and something we should strive for.”
The deaths of children and other non-combatants in strikes was rationalized by many drone operators, Haas said. As a flight instructor, Haas claimed to have been non-judicially reprimanded by his superiors for failing a student who had expressed “bloodlust,” an overwhelming eagerness to kill.
Haas also described widespread alcohol and drug abuse among drone pilots. Drone operators, he said, would frequently get intoxicated using bath salts and synthetic marijuana to avoid possible drug testing and in an effort to “bend that reality and try to picture yourself not being there.” Haas said that he knew at least a half-dozen people in his unit who were using bath salts and that drug use had “impaired” them during missions.
Just one of the Bravest and Most Beautiful and Intelligent Girls in The World. She has been doing it for years. This is her giving her point of view in 2012. Yes, she was anonymous, and I think she should stay that way – but she has been traced and interviewed by The Daily Mail – under her real name. What bravery is this??
By SyrianGirl
“Why The NWO Hates Syria”
SyrianGirlpartisan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP3mXVRd89Y
Published on Dec 17, 2012
8 reasons why the NWO hates Syria
No Rothschild central bank, NO IMF debt, No Genetically modified food, Oil and pipelines, Anti-secret societies, Anti-Zionism, Secularism, Nationalism.
Category
News & Politics
License Standard YouTube License
Mary
Irony is “I say no more war” welcoming Russian military deployment https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2015/11/the-madness-of-war/comment-page-2/#comment-563770
Anon1, thanks. I know, it’s hilarious.
Bob Smith,
I am a drone pilot.
“Personally I have no problem with the idea of drone attack if they were as surgical and legal, but as they as often as not neither, I do have concerns, but my concerns always lead to questioning the integrity of those in Westminster, not those who serve in the forces.”
I have actually been retired for 11 years now…but I have always been interested in technology and flying (for real too – well when I was a kid – gliding solo was brilliant – screwing a thermal solo with 5 or 6 other glider pilots at the same time – was far more exciting than my motorcycle 0-60 in 3 secs…I was just trying to pull a bit of posh really)
But anyway..about 4 or 5 years ago…I bought a drone..you know a model thing…I had flown models before (my older brothers in the 1960’s)
I would just like to point out that flying a remote controlled drone is far more difficult..than actually being in the aircraft and flying it for real.
For example…if you are standing on the ground and controlling the remote drone…its going away from you left and right is left and right..up and down is up and down.
If it is coming towards you up and down is up and down…but left and right is now right and left.
And all the possibilities in between…
So I bought another one – well bits and pieces from Hong Kong…My Lad helped to put it together…so then we had to mount a camera….and a wireless video communication so we could look at the screen – well we patched one up…and now it was if we were in it….Left and Right and Up and Down Worked (yeh ..it took a bit or programming)
Then the Chinese – got even faster than the Americans at the hardware..(though they were still rubbish at the software)…and they came out with this piece of hardware – only a few small chips on a pcb – for like $70 inc delivery…and it did stabilisation gps positioning…just throw the bloody drone as hard a you can…and it will quite happily come buzzing back in front of you 5 feet from your face as if it is looking at you…and that was last year.
God knows what they are like now.
The Americans seem so far behind.
Tony
Brian. Dr Mads Gilbert
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/scottish-palestine-solidarity-campaign-8444581160
” the politicians of all parties who commit us to unjustified war.
Personally I have no problem with the idea of drone attack if they were as surgical and legal, but as they as often as not neither, I do have concerns, but my concerns always lead to questioning the integrity of those in Westminster, not those who serve in the forces,”
______________
Re your above comment Bob, I agree, the British parliamentary politicians commit us to unjust wars. Alas the establishment lickspittle war hawk apologists in here won’t agree with you, that why I’m surprised Anon1 is sucking up to you.
Your second point I also agree with you on drone strikes, are definitely not surgical and result more often than not in collateral damage. Bob the establishment war hawks in hear won’t like that statement either.
Your final observation that Westminster politicians lack integrity you’re right on the money with that.
Again Bob the usual suspects in here won’t agree with that.
Finally Bob post more comments, we’ll be sure to read them.
Bob Smith
‘…To doubt their bravery [DRONE PILOTS] is fatuous and based on no evidence.’
Eh? What evidence do you need to assess whether killing people by drone takes bravery?
It was a simple question I put to Kempe. Maybe you would like to answer it. Do you think drone operators are brave?
And as for
‘I think we should save our ire for the armchair warriors of Westminster.’
What’s the difference between an armchair warrior and a drone operator?
Who is this ‘Why be Ordinary’ who slyly slips in and out here? Someone familiar I reckon.
Russia is in Syria legally fyi.
War is legal, if done properly
Our armed forces. No surprise anon1 is a heel-clicking military arse-licker too. They’re not your armed forces, you sad fucking patriotic yob. They belong to City of London pedo toffs far above your station in life, with whom you will never be permitted to associate. THEIR armed forces get their nuts blown off for their betters, whereas all you have to do is submit to shit British quality of life and out-of-control commercial predation and graft.
Anon1 aka Bunny la Roche must have received this e-mail. He told us he has paid his £3.
“Your Views On Syria
On Thursday David Cameron set out his case in the House of Commons for a UK bombing campaign in Syria.
We have all been horrified by the despicable attacks in Paris and are determined to see ISIS defeated.
The issue now is whether what the Prime Minister is proposing strengthens, or undermines, our national security.
I put a series of questions in response to the Prime Minister’s statement, raising concerns about his case that are on the minds of many in the country. You can read my response here
There could not be a more important matter than whether British forces are sent to war.
As early as next week, MPs could be asked to vote on extending UK bombing to Syria.
I do not believe that the Prime Minister made a convincing case that British air strikes on Syria would strengthen our national security or reduce the threat from ISIS.
When I was elected I said I wanted Labour to become a more inclusive and democratic party.
So I am writing to consult you on what you think Britain should do. Should Parliament vote to authorise the bombing of Syria?
Let me know your views, if you are able to, by the start of next week: http://www.labour.org.uk/page/s/syria-consultation
Yours,
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Leader of the Labour Party”.
War On Truth they all have one of them, according to Neill Mackay both Bush & Blair had one.
I often save my comments if I anticipate mod deletion. On this occasion I’m going to save the deleted comments until I receive confirmation of the truth of my assertions. mods beware.
http://southfront.org/vks-russian-federation-has-annihilated-the-militants-in-the-area-where-the-su-24-was-brought-down-erdogan-has-ordered-that-air-force-planes-of-turkey-be-grounded/
O/T
Cold Turkey anyone ?
Oh dear, my own comments I was searching for were put on the previous thread as large as life. Grovelling apologies. Nice mods, the repetition of the facade of Blair’s lies to parliament and the lapping up of Cameron’s garbage about war by the same Labour MPs has scrambled my brain for 2 days. I am very busy this weekend but it looks as though another walk through Hyde Park is in order.
Why was Hollande at the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Malta today. Agent Cameron was there along with Her Maj. Has La Belle France been admitted to the Commonwealth?
Commons should back Syria air strikes – President Hollande
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34945224
Queen opens meeting of 53 Commonwealth leaders in Malta
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34941182
Here is François being stroked by Obama earlier and loving it.
http://iran-times.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ObamaHollandeWHU-1024×665.jpg
Bob Smith
“Fedup, your comments seem directed at me mainly for daring to post on a site generally reserved for a clique who spend most of their time, irrespective of topic, debating Israel, Palestine and conspiracy theories.”
________________
A spot on comment and well-observed.
I agree with what you went on to say about Craig, a man to whom “commenters” like Fedup do absolutely no favours.
Mind you, having said that, I believe that Craig pays them the attention they deserve – that is, very little (if any at all).
Mary
“Why was Hollande at the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Malta today. Agent Cameron was there along with Her Maj. Has La Belle France been admitted to the Commonwealth?”
________________
No.
Hope that helps.
“Bath salts? Good Lord. Drones – the whole thing is sick.”
They aren’t really bath salts, they are one of the new designer drugs known as legal highs. They are legal to sell but not for human consumption so they label them bath salts or plant food.
Hollande was there to lobby for the UN Climate Conference http://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/australia-britain-and-canada-commit-climate-change-action-commonwealth-summit
Monteverdi
from your link:
“Most likely Turkey did not expect such a severe reaction from Russia.”
Why not? Erdogan and his family have single-handedly provided support for Daesh and Al Qaida. Daesh crossed into Turkey where their training camps are before entering Syria and capturing Mosul in Iraq. funds may have come from elsewhere, but the civil war in Syria is logistically controlled from Turkey and NATO bases there.
As to your offer, sorry, this particular turkey is not halal, having been stunned before being killed. Bismillahi Allahu Akbar. Alright for the Russians and PYG to eat it though.
Giyane
“I often save my comments if I anticipate mod deletion. On this occasion I’m going to save the deleted comments until I receive confirmation of the truth of my assertions. mods beware.”
____________________
We – including the Mods, I’m sure – are most impressed, Guano.
We are bewaring.
Mary
“Who is this ‘Why be Ordinary’ who slyly slips in and out here?”
________________
I imagine he’s someone who’s not over-impressed with the junk you and certain other Old Trolls post day in day out.
If he’s sly then you are the epitome of effrontery, the Queen Mother of the Squatters.
Last month, before the Paris attacks, the Oxford Union held a debate. The motion was: This House Believes the UK Has Surrendered Too Much Liberty in Pursuit of Greater Security.
David Davies MP and Dan Hodges of the Daily Telegraph were scheduled to take part in this debate, but for reasons I’ve yet to discover they dropped out.
It’s not the best Oxford Union debate I’ve seen, but obviously it’s very relevant at the moment…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzYaDCfT1Ek&list=PLOAFgXcJkZ2zh5Qj_X5RJ6gXpVCHG-TAu
In the vote after the debate the motion was carried.
“Why was Hollande at the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Malta today.”
Hollande loves ceremonies, even if it’s outside his mandate.
L’imbécile
““Why was Hollande at the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Malta today.”
Hollande loves ceremonies, even if it’s outside his mandate.”
_______________
Please refer to Why Be Ordinary’s post at 21h55.
Giyane
“Monteverdi
from your link:
“Most likely Turkey did not expect such a severe reaction from Russia.””
________________
You mean the suspension of visa-free travel to Russia for Turks?
Bob Smith for Moderator. OK!
~~
Hollande was there to pump up his call for war. Stop being so silly Why Be Ordinary. Can’t you read?
‘Commons should back Syria air strikes – President Hollande
48 minutes ago
The French president has called on MPs to back UK air strikes in Syria, following the terror attacks in Paris earlier this month.
President Hollande thanked the UK for its support in the wake of the attacks and said he hoped MPs would back David Cameron’s case for military action.
The PM has said there is a “compelling case” for air strikes against so-called Islamic State targets in Syria.
But senior Labour MPs have been trying to defuse a party row over the issue.
Mr Hollande, who was speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, said the Paris attacks showed “man is the worst enemy of man”.
“I do hope that the House of Commons will be able to meet the request of Prime Minister Cameron,” he added.’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34945224
The climate change conference starts on Monday in Paris.
http://unfccc.int/meetings/paris_nov_2015/meeting/8926.php
Trolls on the late evening shift.
https://media.giphy.com/media/89U4ODjFSNdV6/giphy.gif