If an untreated medical condition killed your child, what explanation would make it OK? (Kyle Willis and others)
If a homeless child goes hungry in the freezing streets, what explanation would make it OK? (NY Times homeless children series)
If a child is killed by another child in an accidental shooting, what explanation would make it OK? (dKos gun violence diaries)
If a child is killed by another child in a school shooting, what explanation would make it OK? (Columbine)
If a child is killed by a young person with inappropriate access to guns, what explanation would make it OK? (Newtown)
If a child is killed by a wealthy drunk child whose money buys separate justice, what explanation would make it OK? (affluenza)
If a child is raped by other children / young people and the rapists are supported, what explanation would make it OK? (Steubenville)
If a child is killed by a community patrol vigilante, what explanation would make it OK? (Treyvon Martin)
If a child is killed by a police officer, what explanation would make it OK? (Andy Lopez Cruz)
(I didn't include links because these are all well-known and easily googlable, but will do so upon request.)
What I am saying with the above is that we live in times which do so much damage to children, and to all of us -- that the focus on drones doesn't resonate with me.
I absolutely agree that all the ramifications of war are completely unacceptable, and would never (you can check my comment history for those who are wont to do so) support any type of war, including drones.
But what about the above atrocities? I realize it's not oppression Olympics. No one can address everything, but this laser-like focus on the drone issue divides us right in time for an important election -- one that can baby step us to something better than the House Repubs have to offer.
The responses that resonated with me in the Drone Thread were those who agreed that these things are being done in our name as a democracy. I agree absolutely-- that means we are all responsible for ALL of the above. In a democracy we take responsibility with our votes. I'll be burning holes in my shoes helping people navigate voter suppression.
Lastly, I think all war -- all of it -- is a disgrace. I can't find it within myself to choose between drones or bombs or bullets or any of it. I have no concrete policy advice that would get us to a world of peace. But I'm pretty sure Republicans aren't doing any better than me. Thank you for reading.