Drones (Unmanned Air Vehicles) for use against civilians – a serious threat?

 

 

Topic: Drones (Unmanned Air Vehicles) for use against civilians – a serious threat?

 

Presenter: Barrie Webster

Moderator: John Pope

 Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) have been developed over the past 20 years (Canada has been a significant player) and have captured the imagination of many in the civilian population.  In effect, these drones are the latest incarnation of the model remote controlled plane.

 http://diydrones.com/

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/risk_and_reward_at_the_dawn_of.html

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/06/20/world/20110620-DRONES-14.html

Over the last year or so, we have seen a dramatic increase in the use of drones, particularly by the US military, to kill selected overseas civilians identified as terrorist threats.  Many ‘successful’ ‘kills’ have included many innocent people nearby.  The advantage to the US is that drone use does not involve military personnel on-site; the operators sit securely in command centres somewhere ‘at home’ on US soil and essentially play video games.

US military use of drones has occurred in countries not at war with the US, but sheer military power has allowed their use to continue.  Citizens of countries under attack suffer fear and intimidation every time they hear or see a drone.  The use is currently very one-sided; e.g., their use in Pakistan:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15233-on-april-16-let-experts-who-did-on-the-ground-research-in-pakistan-testify-about-the-drone-strikes

Lately, American citizens have also come under fire offshore (Yemen).  How long will it be before dissidents in the US will be targeted?  How long will it be           before other countries do the same?

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15017-holders-letter-does-not-rule-out-targeting-us-citizens-outside-of-country-non-citizens-can-be-killed-anywhere

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/15007-what-rand-paul-and-ted-cruz-exposed-about-the-drone-strikes

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/15127-camels-nose-lets-outlaw-drone-strikes-in-the-united-states

Drones in Canada – Transport Canada has issued a study on drone regulation in Canada.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uavworkinggroup-2266.htm

and the Canadian military is pursuing their use:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/05/04/drones-canada-predator-uav_n_1478529.html

Questions for Humanists:

1.  Where is this all heading?  From the viewpoint of Humanist principles, what direction should we be taking with this technology?

2.  What are the dangers of its missuse?

3.  What happens when other nations or international groups begin using the technology for their own ends, particularly when that use could easily be over Canadian territory in pursuit of Canadians?
4. What does it say about humanity that we design, build, and use weapons against each other?  Are there any limits to the depths of human degradation?

See you there!