Drone attacks 'save lives', says Brennan
Update
Washington: President Barack Obama’s choice to run the CIA has defended US drone strikes against al-Qaeda militants as a ‘‘last resort’’ but acknowledged the government needs to explain the covert raids better.
As the architect of the drone war, John Brennan came under tough questioning at his confirmation hearing on Thursday, as Democratic senators demanded the administration share more information about the strikes with Congress and the public.
He came under tough questioning as Democratic senators demanded the administration share more information about the strikes with Congress and the public.
The clandestine campaign ‘‘erodes the government’s credibility with the American people’’, said Senator Mark Udall.
Pressed about the clandestine nature of the drone strikes, Mr Brennan said the government needed to speak out publicly about the ‘‘targeted killings’’ to dispel inaccurate assumptions.
‘‘We only take such actions as a last resort to save lives,’’ said Mr Brennan. ‘‘I think there really is a misunderstanding of what we do as a government and the care that we take and the agony that we go through to make sure that we do not have any collateral injuries or deaths.
‘‘We need to be able to go out and say that publicly and openly. I think it is critically important because people are reacting to a lot of falsehoods that are out there,’’ he said.
But he added that secrecy also had to be upheld.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/drone-attacks-save-lives-says-brennan-20130208-2e255.html
Given the white pages outlining the 42 page mostly secret memo and the testimony and statements given yesterday one can only conclude that the use of drones is rare, well done and under the full oversight of the respective authorities and politicians assigned to do such things. All of this chicken little whining is just that. Repeating lies and misunderstandings are the primary culprits for all the confusion. I simply refer you to the facts. All else should be considered fiction as it most probably is. And I never trust the words of anyone of whatever political persuasion that makes it no secret of their hatred for this President and this government.
Update
Washington: President Barack Obama’s choice to run the CIA has defended US drone strikes against al-Qaeda militants as a ‘‘last resort’’ but acknowledged the government needs to explain the covert raids better.
As the architect of the drone war, John Brennan came under tough questioning at his confirmation hearing on Thursday, as Democratic senators demanded the administration share more information about the strikes with Congress and the public.
He came under tough questioning as Democratic senators demanded the administration share more information about the strikes with Congress and the public.
The clandestine campaign ‘‘erodes the government’s credibility with the American people’’, said Senator Mark Udall.
Pressed about the clandestine nature of the drone strikes, Mr Brennan said the government needed to speak out publicly about the ‘‘targeted killings’’ to dispel inaccurate assumptions.
‘‘We only take such actions as a last resort to save lives,’’ said Mr Brennan. ‘‘I think there really is a misunderstanding of what we do as a government and the care that we take and the agony that we go through to make sure that we do not have any collateral injuries or deaths.
‘‘We need to be able to go out and say that publicly and openly. I think it is critically important because people are reacting to a lot of falsehoods that are out there,’’ he said.
But he added that secrecy also had to be upheld.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/drone-attacks-save-lives-says-brennan-20130208-2e255.html
Given the white pages outlining the 42 page mostly secret memo and the testimony and statements given yesterday one can only conclude that the use of drones is rare, well done and under the full oversight of the respective authorities and politicians assigned to do such things. All of this chicken little whining is just that. Repeating lies and misunderstandings are the primary culprits for all the confusion. I simply refer you to the facts. All else should be considered fiction as it most probably is. And I never trust the words of anyone of whatever political persuasion that makes it no secret of their hatred for this President and this government.
