The U.S. government and its military are seeking to use automated killer drones that can make decisions without human intervention. In other words, technologically configured drones programmed with a particular set of inputs, will fly into a predetermined area, select a target and fire its weapons all without any on the spot human interference or review. In real terms, this would be nothing more than fully autonomous robotic killing!
There was an article yesterday in Defense One that attempted to justify “Why Americans Want Drones That Can Kill Without Humans.” It should have been titled Why The Government And Military Want Drones That Can Kill Without Humans, but that would have exposed more truth than was desired. The deceitful attempt by this publication to justify automated murder was to be expected, but even the most apathetic and disinterested American should see through these lies.
The justifications advanced in the Defense One article are but a screen for the real agenda sought by those who murder indiscriminately from afar.
Scientists, engineers and policymakers are all figuring out ways drones can be used better and more smartly, more precise and less damaging to civilians, with longer range and better staying power. One method under development is by increasing autonomy on the drone itself.
Eventually, drones may have the technical ability to make even lethal decisions autonomously: to respond to a programmed set of inputs, select a target and fire their weapons without a human reviewing or checking the result.
The basic conceit behind a LAR is that it can outperform and outthink a human operator. “If a drone’s system is sophisticated enough, it could be less emotional, more selective and able to provide force in a way that achieves a tactical objective with the least harm,” said Purdue University Professor Samuel Liles. “A lethal autonomous robot can aim better, target better, select better, and in general be a better asset with the linked ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] packages it can run.”
What is the real reason for wanting to slaughter humans in other lands with machines that supposedly think on their own? What is to be gained by the use of autonomous drones? It certainly is not because those machines can protect civilians, or are smarter, or can aim better or select targets better. If those in power who use or authorize the use of killer drones can claim that no human was involved, then they can also claim innocence when mistakes are made and murders are committed. When a family, wedding party or the entire population of an innocent town or village are wiped out by an automated killing machine, what human will be responsible? Will it be the president or members of Congress? Will it be the the Secretary of Defense? Will it be the head of the Joint Chiefs? Will it be the person who gave the order to launch the “smart” drone or will it be the programmer?
If one considers the justifications above, none in the future will be held responsible for any murders by killer drones because it will be claimed that the inanimate drone itself made the decision to launch its deadly weapons. No liability, no emotion, no remorse and no feeling. Human lives in the automated future will be nothing more than mere obstructions in the deadly path of advancing a political agenda. That will be the new way of American war!
Oh how convenient a program that allows for any number of government and military murderers to practice their unholy trade without risk of responsibility or prosecution.
“Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” ~Sir Walter Scott