Comments on: Is killing a drone operator a legitimate act of war? http://futurismic.com/2010/02/08/is-killing-a-drone-operator-a-legitimate-act-of-war/ Presenting the fact and fiction of tomorrow since 2001 Sat, 19 May 2012 23:03:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: George Ou http://futurismic.com/2010/02/08/is-killing-a-drone-operator-a-legitimate-act-of-war/comment-page-1/#comment-73940 George Ou Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:26:58 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=10413#comment-73940 Even if a soldier who kills an enemy combatant on the battle field with his bare hands, it is not legal to go after (to try and kill) that soldier in civilian life just like you can't try to kill him in a POW camp. It is an act of murder to kill a defenseless prisoner or civilian. This is no different than the legality of MMA or boxing where you can legally try to decapitate the other person's head with punch or kick. But the loser of the match who was unconscious can't cry foul and then go after the other fighter on the streets with a weapon to beat him unconscious. The main difference is that when you're in a war zone or in a fight ring/cage, the two opponents agreed to fight each other under certain terms. They're prepared to "stop" their opponent under the rules of engagement and they're both prepared for the risks. Fighting on the street is outside of the rules. Even if a soldier who kills an enemy combatant on the battle field with his bare hands, it is not legal to go after (to try and kill) that soldier in civilian life just like you can’t try to kill him in a POW camp. It is an act of murder to kill a defenseless prisoner or civilian.

This is no different than the legality of MMA or boxing where you can legally try to decapitate the other person’s head with punch or kick. But the loser of the match who was unconscious can’t cry foul and then go after the other fighter on the streets with a weapon to beat him unconscious.

The main difference is that when you’re in a war zone or in a fight ring/cage, the two opponents agreed to fight each other under certain terms. They’re prepared to “stop” their opponent under the rules of engagement and they’re both prepared for the risks. Fighting on the street is outside of the rules.

]]> By: jon http://futurismic.com/2010/02/08/is-killing-a-drone-operator-a-legitimate-act-of-war/comment-page-1/#comment-73900 jon Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:43:50 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=10413#comment-73900 Most countries consider the organizers of terrorist attacks legitimate targets no matter where they live, so yes, someone with their finger even more directly on the trigger would be as well. If not with a direct strike then with more covert means. Most countries consider the organizers of terrorist attacks legitimate targets no matter where they live, so yes, someone with their finger even more directly on the trigger would be as well. If not with a direct strike then with more covert means.

]]> By: swadeshine http://futurismic.com/2010/02/08/is-killing-a-drone-operator-a-legitimate-act-of-war/comment-page-1/#comment-73848 swadeshine Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:52:32 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=10413#comment-73848 This reminds me a bit of Avatar & brings up some interesting questions: 1) Is there a big difference from sitting behind a screen killing & sitting behind a screen making tax $ to pay others to kill? 2) What's the legal & technical difference between plotting a terror attack behind a cave & plotting a drone strike behind a screen - simply accuracy & less collateral damage? This reminds me a bit of Avatar & brings up some interesting questions:

1) Is there a big difference from sitting behind a screen killing & sitting behind a screen making tax $ to pay others to kill?

2) What’s the legal & technical difference between plotting a terror attack behind a cave & plotting a drone strike behind a screen – simply accuracy & less collateral damage?

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