2,305 killed by Obama in drone strikes in Pakistan by my count

[graham4anything]

85. where are the posts defending Dan Rather? I seemed to have missed them.

seems like nobody but me defended Dan Rather.

never understood why that was. Still mourn for him after his character asssassination.
(especially after they never were able to prove it wasn't a real memo

and no one ever denied what he said wasn't true anyhow.

Richard Clarke had a great article on drones.
We loved Richard Clarke right after 9-11.
Some of us still appreciate his words today.
Drones-a good thing
other methods-100 times more deaths.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/give-drones-medal-article-1.1211249
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I have examined the alternative methods of striking: F-16s, cruise missiles, commando raids. All of these methods are far more likely to kill innocent people and Americans. The attacking forces sweep in at high speed, have little or no time to assess the situation and then employ extremely lethal force over a fairly wide area. Alternatively, we could rely exclusively on indigenous security forces, but often they are not capable of effective action and are at least as likely to create innocent casualties.

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But the fact is, the Obama Administration is pursuing both deradicalization and indigenous capacity-building with governments in the Islamic world. The President has also ordered the creation of new guidelines for the use of drones, to make their employment less frequent. So called “signature attacks,” those conducted on terrorist camps, will be reduced, and the emphasis will be placed on strikes against known terrorist commanders or groups known to be preparing attacks.


For the foreseeable future, however, drones will remain an important counter-terrorism tool. When used properly, they eliminate real threats and keep terrorist groups off-base, better than any other option the President has at his disposal.


And, at least for me, there is no doubt that it is better to eliminate terrorists before they strike, rather than to retaliate after there are dead Americans
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/give-drones-medal-article-1.1211249?pgno=2#ixzz2EITMVkYJ