DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Predator Drones-Helpful or hurting?

**Flefebleaft** · 06-12-2009, 09:57 PM

I read some time ago that when the machine gun was introduced that it made killing impersonal. I think as least some of our drones are guided from Nevada. As long as they are not being used on us, I like them.

"Impersonal" warfare isn't a 20th century innovation with the machine gun (though I guess the earliest were used in the Civil War). The famous archers at the Battle of Agincourt, like all archers of the era, fired in arcing volleys. Real hard to figure out who hit who afterward. Even with rifled firearm barrels, firearms until very recently were also largely volley weapons. War outside of legends where David and Goliath fight a decisive duel to determine whose side wins, has never really been a mano a mano thing. You break up a massed or organized enemy and chase down any capable components until they are rendered ineffective and dominance is gained. It isn't fabulous, but that's how it's been since human beings have had reasons to be in conflict.

06-12-2009, 09:57 PM	#22
Flefebleaft Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 409 Senior Member	I read some time ago that when the machine gun was introduced that it made killing impersonal. I think as least some of our drones are guided from Nevada. As long as they are not being used on us, I like them. "Impersonal" warfare isn't a 20th century innovation with the machine gun (though I guess the earliest were used in the Civil War). The famous archers at the Battle of Agincourt, like all archers of the era, fired in arcing volleys. Real hard to figure out who hit who afterward. Even with rifled firearm barrels, firearms until very recently were also largely volley weapons. War outside of legends where David and Goliath fight a decisive duel to determine whose side wins, has never really been a mano a mano thing. You break up a massed or organized enemy and chase down any capable components until they are rendered ineffective and dominance is gained. It isn't fabulous, but that's how it's been since human beings have had reasons to be in conflict.
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