cluster bombs

polaris

its funny to hear that the state department has opened an investigation into Israel's use of these bombs ... like if anything is really going to come out of it ...

there is no rationalization for using these bombs ... we can absolutely have zero reason and just allow everything to happen in war where torturing children is ok and the such or we can have rules of engagement ... either way - people can cry bias but they won't be able to justify their use ...

rebornFixer

El_Kabong wrote:

so...you think cluster bombs are an acceptable means of bombardment?

you are ok w/ all the unexploded bomblets that kill or maim kids and other innocents?

Cluster bombs are acceptable when used on military targets, away from civilian areas. So no, Isreal's use of them in Lebanon was probably unacceptable. What's your point? Is this another anti-DU type crusade? Any weapon can be grossly misused.

El_Kabong

reborncareerist wrote:

Cluster bombs are acceptable when used on military targets, away from civilian areas. So no, Isreal's use of them in Lebanon was probably unacceptable. What's your point? Is this another anti-DU type crusade? Any weapon can be grossly misused.

my point is certain weapons shouldn't be used. so...in the case of israel in lebanon it was wrong to use...then it should also be wrong when the us uses them in populated areas in iraq, yugoslavia, afghanistan....in other words, we should not be using these weapons. when are they using these weapons in the 'right' way?

rebornFixer

El_Kabong wrote:

my point is certain weapons shouldn't be used. so...in the case of israel in lebanon it was wrong to use...then it should also be wrong when the us uses them in populated areas in iraq, yugoslavia, afghanistan....in other words, we should not be using these weapons. when are they using these weapons in the 'right' way?

Well, you are right in that it does sound a bit silly to talk about using weapons "the right way" ... But that begs the question ... Why single out cluster bombs?

MrBrian

reborncareerist wrote:

Well, you are right in that it does sound a bit silly to talk about using weapons "the right way" ... But that begs the question ... Why single out cluster bombs?

probably because they openly contradict what israel and america were saying about only going after terrorist and how effient their laser guided weapons are, then when you hear about the huge amount of times they used these cluster bombs that mainly killed and put in danger innocents.

I think that's why?

El_Kabong

reborncareerist wrote:

Well, you are right in that it does sound a bit silly to talk about using weapons "the right way" ... But that begs the question ... Why single out cluster bombs?

b/c w/ a laser guided bomb you can say it will always hit the intended target (assuming what is targeted is the intended target)...if they drop a laser guided bomb on a house down the block from me it will hit that house and only that house...if they dropped a cluster bomb on it instead everyone around it would be hit.

it's like asking should a swat member fire into a crowd w/ a sniper rifle w/ scope or a shotgun? (and that is based on if he HAD to shoot into a crowd, we can skip the 'he shouldn't shoot into the crowd at all!; argument)

rebornFixer

Incidentally, you can put laser guidance on a cluster bomb as well ....

Anyhow, I agree that using cluster bombs in areas where there are civilians present is total overkill and a poor way to fight a war. I'd argue harder but I basically agree with you guys. I will say, though, that tactics used and weapon type aren't the same thing. In earlier wars in the Middle East, Israel dropped cluster bombs on enemy armour and troop formations, nowhere near civilian areas. Still pretty destructive and cruel, but its warfare. The goal is to defeat the enemy, not leave him alive. Are cluster bombs still a problem when used in this way?

El_Kabong

reborncareerist wrote:

Incidentally, you can put laser guidance on a cluster bomb as well ....

Anyhow, I agree that using cluster bombs in areas where there are civilians present is total overkill and a poor way to fight a war. I'd argue harder but I basically agree with you guys. I will say, though, that tactics used and weapon type aren't the same thing. In earlier wars in the Middle East, Israel dropped cluster bombs on enemy armour and troop formations, nowhere near civilian areas. Still pretty destructive and cruel, but its warfare. The goal is to defeat the enemy, not leave him alive. Are cluster bombs still a problem when used in this way?

well as much as i disagree w/ war i think if a person is to choose that career they have to expect to be killed or blown up or something like that...so, as long as the civilian populace or environment is NOT affected then i guess i will use the cliche war is hell. like my swat example...if someone like lee malvo was in a crowd holding them hostage and a swat member shot him w/ a sniper rifle i wouldn't be sad...but if they pulled out a shotgun and opened fire to get him it would be an entirely different story

polaris

the thing with these cluster bombs is that they are still armed similar to a land mines ... and each and every one of these submunitions have to be disarmed individually ...