Dear thinker2,

On reflection I have probably arced up more than usual on this issue which wasn't the initial intention. Belly's comment “I have no problems with deaths of such folk.” was admittedly a spur from the start, but then this isn't something where one finds it easy to remain entirely objective. I promise to endeavour to do so forthwith.

From Wikipedia “Top US officials consider these strikes very successful and believe that the senior al-Qaeda leadership has been decimated by these strikes.” and that “They also claimed that the drone attacks have addled and confused the Taliban,”

One would assume then that both groups effectiveness and their ability to mount attacks would have been seriously diminished. The figures would not seem to support this.

Year – Number of people killed in drone strikes in Pakistan – Number of 'terror' attacks in Pakistan.

2004 – 4 – 18
2005 – 6 – 11
2006 – 23 – 16
2007 – 53 – 50
2008 – 263 – 68
2009 – 413 – 104
2010 – 595 – 148

It just seems a horrendous race to nowhere.

We know there have been numerous terror attacks where the reason given is the drone activity.

It would appear to be a rather nasty little merry-go-round. Drone attacks cause a rise in terror attacks. This increase gives justification for more drone attacks which in turn prompt more retaliation.

Where do we get off?

History thinker 2 does not have to be lived to be understood.
csteele I still and forever stand by my statements I have no problems with the deaths of these people or the use of drones.
History will show any one willing to look, war is not pleasant, ever.
It also is not uncommon.
From Russia's murders of the Polish officers in that forest, Germany's mass murders, history shows clearly we fight wars often and very bad, evil things take place.
I think, truly honestly, it is to much kindness, not backed by reality that lets the left see our sins, but not the other sides.
This world is no different than yesterdays.
Wars are fought for the same reasons or no reason.
No balanced informed person can single out these drones as the worst part of this war.
And let the light in please, we have a war coming , first terrorism but one day a dirty bomb may start a very hot one.
Life is maths, numbers , potential out comes, Labor Liberal take your pick but stop kidding your selves both sides are fenced in to their positions by voters opinions.
Labor and Liberals must distance them selves from greens middle class radicalism.
Labor is going to be removed for a generation if it fails to do so.
Greens then will be in the black hole they put Labor in.

Dear Belly,

You are obviously quite worried. It is hard to blame you then for the very entrenched views you have. I do however blame those who put them there, our politicians and media.

I have lived near a war zone as a teenager and been through several attacks, one when over a dozen were killed by Muslim rebels only 5 miles up the beach from us. I also remember being evacuated from my school because of another imminent attack. I spent two years in a military college where older school mates were killed in action.

I do not ever recall being as afraid as what I sense from you.

I do hope time may serve to give you peace.

Of course I know you were referring to history Belly it was just my poor attempt at a joke.
Apologies if I offended.

And I don't think you've arced up unnecessarily csteele. Drones are certainly not the worst abomination of war but I still think they rate up there if your talking about flagrant disregard for civilian casualties.

*Drone attacks cause a rise in terror attacks*

That is nothing more then your speculation, Csteele.

Fact is that the two have kind of evolved at a similar time,
the drones well after the terrorists.

The rot set in when the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan.
The true believers assumed it must be Allah's will.
That is really when the Taliban were formed and became
active.

Their goals have now increased, from Afgahnistan to overthrowing
the Pakistani Govt. Religious fanatics are on the increase in
Pakistan, that is the reality.

I watched a sad interview with the editor of a Pakistani newspaper.
His best friend, another journalist, was shot dead by his bodyguard,
because the guard claimed that the journalist had blasphemed Islam
and so must be killed. The net result is that the press and people
in Pakistan, can no longer say what they think, or religious
extremists could well knock them off.

That is the problem with Islam really. At its core it is a violent
and intolerant religion and where Islam goes, it seems that violence
follows. Not all muslims, but certainly in places like Pakistan,
a growing number of them.

Violence and terrorism in Pakistan have grown as Islamic extremism
in Pakistan has grown. Drones or no drones.

csteele I respect your rights to your thoughts, can you respect my rights to mine?
Fear? I am afraid I am a silly old fella, not a fool but never afraid of anything.
I am not for a second going to let the enemy of truth POLITICAL CORRECTNESS control my views.
In wars the victors write history.
This is a war,America could have done better but no such rule or wishes exist on the other side.
Can you agree with that?
Muslim terrorists do not have intentions to obey our rules of war.
No offense thinker 2 you have my respect too but some times we all forget our words are not always shared by most.
Drones? lets have many more.