>What is the trend in the US military that is the very most unique
>to the modern day? It isn't mechanization of war, which has been
>seen in nearly every age. The thing that most clearly identifies
>the modern U.S. military, I propose, is the intolerance of
>casualties, even one.
>What ended the U.S. involvement in Somalia? The TV image
>of a single dead U.S. soldier being dragged thru the streets.
>As soon as that was shown on the evening news, the public
>turned against the action. I see in this the key to ending all war.
>I predict that as soon as practical, all our weapons and
>surveillance systems will be drones with their controllers
>warm and safe at home. spike
I'd agree, up to a point; For some of the peoples of this world, images of
their menfolk being dragged through the streets can have just the opposite
effect. It can be the path to martyrdom and Jihad.
Looking at it another way, when they've finished showing the U.S. soldier
being dragged through the streets, and the public calls for withdrawal, and
all the cameras are packed up and gone home, who will videotape the
suffering they leave behind?
I'm with you on your prediction of "war at a distance". "On Killing", a
book I believe I've mentioned on this list before, shows quite clearly the
side-effects when human troopers are in close proximity combat situations.
James...
"If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and
crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures
to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid."
-Q, Star Trek:TNG episode 'Q Who'
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon May 28 2001 - 09:59:56 MDT