We are now living in a world consumed by killing, murder, and torture, and the very government that claims to be the most righteous on earth is responsible for most of these heinous crimes. That government of course is the United States government, now the largest empire on earth. There are supporting players involved like the U.S. military, the NATO countries, and those banks and corporations who profit from the slaughter of peoples overseas, but without the full sanction of these unholy wars by the government and the populace, these other players would be left to fend for themselves.
The continued annihilation of human beings at the hands of government is entering a new automated phase. This new phase should fully satisfy those all-powerful political and corporate parasites and their cold-blooded thirst for more carnage. While they may think that their hands will be cleaner, the opposite effect will be evident. The stench of death can never be washed away, even if human designed machines do the killing.
Recently on MSNBC’s Innovation section, this story appeared titled “U.S. Army orders its first batch of suicide drones.” They really aren’t “suicide drones” though, because the person controlling them is doing so in order to kill others, however the drone called the “Switchblade” does not survive. (I have yet to discover how a machine can commit suicide) It can fly in either autonomous robot mode, or can be remotely piloted to quietly approach “targets” without warning. Once on target, it can be armed and flown at high speed into the enemy camp, of course killing and maiming along the way.
Yesterday, another article titled “A future for drones: Automated killing,” was published by the Washington Post. According to that article, autonomous robotic killing poses some problems, and could cause a “range of fundamental legal, ethical and societal issues.” I’m surprised that these are even concerns, considering what is now happening in those countries not even at war with the United States. Killer drones piloted from thousands of miles away are already firing on people in Yemen, Pakistan, and Somalia. Obviously, they are also being used in Afghanistan and Iraq. I doubt seriously that these are the only countries being targeted, and it is obvious that more plans are in the works for robotic murders in the future.
The desired end result of the ruling class is to leave the decision to kill supposedly in the hands of inanimate objects. Killing the “enemy” would then be based on calculations made by software, and not by humans. How convenient for those responsible for causing all this death and mayhem, as they literally would not be giving the order or pulling the trigger. Obviously, this same inanimate object with magical software could not be tried in court for its crimes. So how could any be held responsible for criminal murder when no explicit order was given, and no individual was in control? This sounds like a recipe for non-responsible sanctioned murder without consequence!
Ronald C. Arkin, author of “Governing Lethal Behavior in Autonomous Robots,” in a study funded by the Army Research Office said, ”Lethal autonomy is inevitable.” He fully believes that building “ethical” military drones and robots capable of using deadly force is possible. The mere fact that he believes a machine can commit murder ethically is scary enough, but what if he and others, especially those in control of government, could convince the now ignorant masses that this was possible? The implications of this are staggering, and the danger of what the future would hold in a world such as this is unimaginable! I think even George Orwell would struggle with this notion.
Killer drone attacks engineered from afar are now commonplace. They happen every day, and my guess is that they happen much more often than we are led to believe. Military drones are also now used for many domestic operations, and that use will in my opinion expand greatly given any major civil unrest or Martial Law situation. Police forces are already using these computerized machines for domestic surveillance. When drones come to a neighborhood near you, the same lies as always will be forthcoming from the government. You will be told that it is important for your safety, and for national security, but how safe will you feel when those drones are armed, and allowed to use deadly force?
Dehumanizing killing will lead directly to dehumanizing humans. Many in this country now and in the past have gone down that horrible road of perdition. In the world wars, it was the hatred of the “Krauts” and the “Japs,” or “slant eyes.” In Vietnam it was the “Gooks.” Now, a large majority in this country believes that all Muslims or “rag heads,” are out to kill them. These derogatory terms and hate filled attitudes toward those we may not understand serve as nothing more than a way to dehumanize them. By doing this, apathy wins the day, evil wars and the slaughter of innocents are legitimized, and the population follows along. These attitudes and feelings did not happen accidentally, as little agitation by the ruling class is necessary to stir the hatred inside the citizenry. Fear is the only tool needed to cause this effect, and fear is easy to administer to the dependent sheep by those who control the country and the media.
Hermann Goering said it best:
Naturally, the common people don’t want war…. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders…. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism.
Killing made easy seems to be the motive of the rulers. Killing with emotionless robots spares the conscience of the murderers. Killing without consequence allows for more killing, and no justice. Killing for the sake of killing then becomes the norm.
The most precious gift of life is our humanity. Because of our humanity, love, compassion, and individuality are present. Without our humanity, we will have nothing. Without our humanity and love for one another, we will become cold. Without our humanity, we will become slaves. Without our humanity, man will not survive!
Gary D. Barnett [send him mail] is president of Barnett Financial Services, Inc. in Lewistown, Montana.
Copyright © 2011 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.