Letters: Drones can be deadly to us too

Re “UAE to buy drones made in U.S.,” Feb. 23

I am not sure why there is such a controversy about civilians getting killed accidentally by drones.

What is the difference between that and civilians getting killed accidentally when we dropped bombs on munition factories in Germany in World War II (a declared war) or in Korea or Vietnam (undeclared wars), when military targets were targeted? Of course we were trying to kill soldiers and their leaders at times.

It is unfortunate, but civilians are always hurt during wars, so why are drones different?

Andrew Bressler
Culver City

I add my voice to millions who believe armed drones are an abomination to a civilized society.

The use of such weapons will lead to a very slippery slope where “war on the cheap” is an invitation to immorality and misadventure.

If our society is not willing to place its forces at risk to counteract threats to itself, it is not a society that our founders would be proud of.

Ellis Katz
Encino

The sale of drones to foreign countries, particularly to those in the Middle East, should be of great concern to all Americans.

It is easy to imagine such craft getting into Al Qaeda’s possession and being used to target strategic locations such as America’s nuclear power plants.

An air defense system would be neither feasible nor prudent and would add to the already huge burden that nuclear power plants impose on the economy.

Clearly, we must act quickly to withhold the sale of drones to foreign countries and, at the same time, seriously consider phasing out nuclear power plants before terrorists can acquire these potential weapons elsewhere.

Berton Moldow
Laguna Woods

Personally, I have no issue with using drones to take out our enemies. What I do find bothersome is all the chatter over torture.

The outrage over its depiction in a movie, the glorification of the practice, but silence over the drone attacks — oh sure, we argue over due process, but where is the outrage over the practice: the killing of innocents? Haven’t heard of much collateral damage from torture. Is it faster and cleaner? Or does it have something to do with who is in charge of the decision-making process?

Robert Filacchione
Fullerton

More letters to the editor ...