American officials don’t often reference the CIA’s pilotless bombing program in Afghanistan and Pakistan, save for the occasional joke. It took “salty” new Pentagon chief Leon Panetta to bring it up in defense of the strategy of tossing bombs at suspected enemies, responding to criticism from a former intelligence head.
Retired Adm. Dennis Blair said in a recent NY Times piece that while he believes the drone program was useful in attacking al-Qaeda leaders, it is now counterproductive to continue to attack smaller fry, such as a recent hit on what’s called the Haqqani Network in Waziristan that killed 25 alleged militants. Blair says that continuing drone strikes sows hatred of America.
But Panetta disagrees, claiming the strikes “defend our country” and “protect our national security,” though many have called the drone attacks sloppy and self-perpetuating. The United States has denied it, but the strikes often kill civilians. Waziri campaigner Noor Behram said after on-the-ground research that “for every 10 to 15 people killed, maybe they get one militant,” and a report recently revealed that 168 children have been killed by drones — just in Pakistan.
Panetta insists all those killed are terrorists, though zero of those killed are ever given trials.
“We are going after those who continue to plan to attack this country. They’re terrorists. And the operations that we’ve conducted there have been very effective at undermining al-Qaeda and their ability to plan those kinds of attacks,” Panetta told an audience at the National Defense University. He didn’t go into detail as to why exactly plotters need a given space in Waziristan to plan an attack.
For its part, Pakistan publicly demands an end to US drone attacks on its territory and withdraw any troops. Washington responded with a cut in aid to Pakistan.
Someone needs to tell the truth here. Leon Panetta may love his children and love puppies, but that has nothing to do with the fact that he is an old political hack, I am generous in calling him "mediocre."
He has always been a "gofer," and made his way by currying favor with everyone, back slapping at party functions or the Moose Club — later, the country club — . Leon is one of those interesting personalities who can look you in the eye and lie to your face. Most people can't do that. A sense of shame, or some inner voice would make them look down or look away or smile and suggest that we have another drink.
In the Mafia Leon would be the man who carried out all orders, no matter what. "Boss," Leon says, "do you want both his knees broke or just the one?"
Obama has appointed some of the most disgraceful men and women in American to high places, and Obama bears full responsibility for his cowardice. I use the word "cowardice" because I don't think he made all these horrible choices on his own. His handlers, who are representatives of the big money sources who got him elected, tell him what position to take on Libya, Afghanistan, etc.
Summation: Leon Panetta is a mediocre (at best) political hack who has done the dirty work for any number of people. He is a fawner, a glad hander, a toady, book licker, lick spittle, who serves as the modern equivalent of Pandarus,
I am waiting for the great American free press to write the truth about Leon.
Hermes Trismegistus
Oh, yeah. Particularly, the ones already flying overhead all over the US. Now, all we have to do is wait till those start firing on "domestic terrorists" and killing entire neighborhoods. Yee haa!
They're not going to protect America from God's judgment.
The new moto of the Pentagon is going to become, "Give us this day to do our evil deed."
I don,t know how amwricans will be killed as we have no border or technology like drones.
American administration has only one duty or wish or canibals just to kill and kill.
This is american democraty and I am they will be desroyed by God much more powerful than america.
Americans are killers of civilians. Even 9/11 they killed their own people as no one can enter .
Now this is a reality and even every america knows.
How exactly do drone strikes protect America? Panetta is such a fool.