Amongst the comments under the Jeff Danziger cartoon of 22nd June 2014 was:
Better to put drones in harms way than our young men and women.
The use of drones is exactly the sort of behaviour that promotes terrorism. They create impotent fear in the citizens of the target country which results in the development of more creative ways of hitting back. When that creativity is coupled with opportunity and resources, new terrorist groups form.
Putting boots on the ground puts faces to the attackers and allows the victims to see it is real people attacking them, not just the whim of some anonymous uncaring president of an elitist, violent, uncaring country. Those real people can be talked to, traded with, bartered with and relationships formed. That prevents terrorism.
The more America attacks people in such remote, cowardly ways as using missiles and drones, the more they will be confident you are frightened of them – which, of course, America is.
You’re not just ‘playing into the hands of terrorists’ by using drones, you are creating the terrorist response. Unless, of course, you intend to kill everyone in the target countries.
I agree that automated weapons used indiscriminately against civilians just creates more resentment and further radicalises angry people into desperate action when they feel there is no other option to maintain their livelihoods or beliefs. As so called civilised societies we need to work together with everyone to find acceptable solutions to our problems. However, that takes time and people (ie politicians) want instant results, noboby is prepared to take the long road to create a lasting peace of multiculturalism and multiple political solutions to suit each society. We could work together, or we can wipe out the whole planet.