Is this justified?

The wife of a "terrorist" assassinated by a US drone plane fired missile. I don't get it? Kill the guy responsible for attacks, maybe (though the future implications are if you are ACCUSED of terrorism, no trial, no jury, just a bomb through your roof killing you and anyone who happens to be there, family, friends, etc.)

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- A suspected U.S. drone attack killed the wife of the leader of the Pakistan Taliban Wednesday, according to intelligence sources and relatives.

The unmanned aerial vehicle targeted the home of Baitullah Mehsud's father-in-law in northwestern Pakistan, dropping two missiles, an intelligence official said.

Mehsud's second wife was one of two people killed in the strike, according to the sources. Four others were wounded, they said.

Muhammad Jamal, a Taliban member in the area, told CNN that the attack caused injuries to children and women.

The U.S. military routinely offers no comment on reported drone attacks. However, the United States is the only country operating in the region known to have the ability to launch missiles from drones, which are controlled remotely

Mehsud and other key Taliban leaders have been targeted by the ongoing Pakistani military operation in northwest Pakistan. Hideouts linked to Mehsud are regularly shelled by both Pakistani aircraft and suspected U.S. drones. Video Watch how remote-controlled drones are revolutionizing warfare »

Mehsud's close aide recently confirmed that the Pakistani Taliban chief was behind the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was gunned down at a political rally in December 2007.
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Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, is the current president of Pakistan.

The Pakistani government and CIA officials have said in the past that Mehsud was responsible for Bhutto's death.

Re: Is this justified?

drones are badass. was it justified? no. drones impress the hell out of me.

Re: Is this justified?

While it's quite terrible someone got caught in the crossfire; it's quite dispacable that this group was part of a world-wide terror movement against western society. We haven't as many major terrorist acts against the US or it's allies in a few years; so the methods of counter-terrorism are harsh they obviously have some effect. I'm sure there are many other counter-terrorism activities that go on.

Re: Is this justified?

Do they obviously have some effect? And even if so, is that effect necessarily a positive one?

Re: Is this justified?



OK. So here is the reverse situation. In the view of some communities in the world, the US military are terrorists. Now before you just brush this aside, consider the number of CITIZENS killed in Afghanistan and Iraq during the "War on Terror" (100,000+ INNOCENT (!!!) CIVILIANS. These are kids going to school, moms making lunch, sons, daughters, fathers, HUMAN BEINGS just like you and me!). Since B.O. is the leader of this military, and all the Generals commended them, it would be terrible (but I am reading your comment as acceptable collateral damage) if the people that are of that view hunted down and killed all of the wives and children of these people (with drone planes! in a country that is not even at war!). I would completely understand the logic (though completely disagree with killing full stop) in assassinating the man who was responsible, but this was his WIFE and CHILDREN. He was not even home!

Re: Is this justified?

Yes, I completely agree with Basil.

The taking of human life by another can never be justified in a civilised world. The ideological wasteland which exists between cultures is very depressing as we venture tentatively into the 21st century. When all is considered - technology, advancements in medical science, great art and culture and the freedom of expression provided by the internet, isn't it disappointing that we are still embroiled in the same kind of destruction and inhumanity which has plagued human civilisation since its inception.

Basil is right when he says it is a matter of perception. The USA is regarded by many people around the world (and many on this forum by the looks of things) as a terrorist state - guilty of all sorts of crimes against humanity. In the words of one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century, Frank Carson: 'it's the way ya tell em!'.

So why doesn't the west wake up from it's apparently mediaevalist warmongering slumber and stop the killing. All the USA and it's allies has to do is embrace Islam completely and accept that the global Caliphate is the only way forward - it would stop terrorism overnight, end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, settle once and for all the Israel/Palestine problem with a final solution and perhaps most important of all, put an end to the errant ways of humanity through the fear of Allah and the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

After all, what is great about the USA and the west? - freedom of speech, equal rights, capitalism and the consumer society? - the thing the USA is most famous for no one believes anyway. What's the point in it all if no one is buying it anymore.

...or did I miss something here?

Re: Is this justified?

Re: Is this justified?

wtf?

Re: Is this justified?



- it's the way ja tell em!

Re: Is this justified?

Oh yes, you quoted this person. I hadn't noticed.