Rummy wants to use landmines again

[donsu]

(they probably already have)

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0803-06.htm


After 10-Year Hiatus, Pentagon Eyes New Landmine

- The George W. Bush administration may soon resume production of antipersonnel land mines in a move that is at odds with both the international community and previous U.S. policy on the weapons, says a leading human rights organization.

In December of this year, the Pentagon will decide whether or not to begin producing a new type of antipersonnel land mine called a ”Spider”. The first of these mines would then be scheduled to roll out in early 2007.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the funds for Spider's production are already earmarked, as the Pentagon has requested 1.3 billion dollars for the mine system, as well as for another mine called the Intelligent Munitions System, which is expected to be fully running by 2008.

A new report by the HRW issued Wednesday notes these weapons that kill and maim an estimated 500 people, mostly civilians, each week. The group called on the Bush administration to halt all research and development on all types of these widely-banned weapons
-snip-
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anyone in america that works at a plant that makes landmines is a traitor to humanity

(we already know the owners of the plant are)

whose going to stop Rummy? whose going to stop the big, bad bushgang?

[LisaM]

1. Who makes the land mines?

I've come to the conclusion that every single wrong thing like this they want to implement is most likely tied to the Carlyle Group or some similar investing company.

[noamnety]

5. ATK

http://www.atk.com/CorporateGovernance/corpgov_boardofdirect.asp

[ArkDem]

2. ...

Spider
Spider is an advanced, man-in-the-loop, area denial munition. It will protect the warfighter by laying down either a lethal or non-lethal field of fire yet puts complete command and control in the hands of the soldier. Spider offers remotely controlled force protection while enhancing the operational and tactical flexibility of forces in the field.

Spider gives U.S. forces an unmatched capability for perimeter defense and flank protection. It can be used for offensive or defensive engagements. Spider systems can be easily recovered and readied for a new deployment if they have not been fired.

After the battle is over, Spider systems will deactivate so that they do not pose a threat or residual hazard. Not only is a soldier in complete control of the munition at all times, the soldier can select to engage the enemy with individual munitions rather than the entire system and can chose lethal or non-lethal options.

Spider is being developed by ATK with its joint venture partner Textron.

http://www.atk.com/AdvancedWeaponSystems/advanceweaponsystems_barriersystems.asp

[pocket]

3. more like a claymore than a landmine

if it is indeed a controlled munition

[grumpy old fart]

4. totally safe if abandoned?

In addition, IMS meets all requirements of the National Landmine Policy and provides interoperable control of the Spider antipersonnel landmine alternative.

An initial operational capability is planned to be available in 2009.

http://www.atk.com/AdvancedWeaponSystems/advanceweaponsystems_barriersystems.asp

Let's not get all knee jerk here.

[ArkDem]

6. In the mean time we will continue to use the old m14 mines

which will work for many decades. Which is better?

[grumpy old fart]

7. This spider seems more like a remote controlled firearm than a mine....

dunno.

[sakabatou]

8. Like we need more dead civilians from landmines...

There are still thousands of undetonated landmines around the world mostly concentrated in Africa and East Asia

[ArkDem]

9. Ever heard the saying about 'taking a horse to water'?

[sakabatou]

10. Yes, yes, many times

BUT IT'S SO FRICKIN' FRUSTRATING!! ARGH!!!!