Unmanned Drones: Immoral?
Jordan Morris
Dr. Flores
Eng 103
February 27, 2013
Unmanned Drones: Immoral? I chose to research two articles that take opposing sides on the use of tactical unmanned aerial vehicle drones that are being used in combat over seas seeing as how there is so much controversy surrounding this topic in the news nowadays. “The unmanned aerial vehicle also known as UAV is an aircraft with no pilot on board. UAV’s can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans” (www.theuav.com). These unmanned “drones” are used in the military for a number of things including intelligence gathering and attacks terrorist groups. The first article is the better of the two when it comes to convincing the reader. Although fighter planes have the advantage of and experienced pilot behind the wheel, unmanned drones are more accurate, less expensive and safer than fighter planes.
The point of the first article “Five Myths about Obama’s Drone War” (Washington Post) is to convince the reader that it is ok to use drones in combat. He talks about how during wartimes it is crucial for the weaponry to evolve, from slingshots to bow & arrows to guns to fighter planes to unmanned drones. He says, “that from a moral and ethical standpoint drones are little to no different than rifles, bombers or tanks.” (Washington Post) He also says that drones are some of the most precise weaponry used in combat theses day but doesn’t really provide statistics. “Drones should not give give us a false sense of security. The intelligence required for targeting may require U.S. boots on the ground.” (Washington Post) Drones are much less expensive than fighter aircrafts so it would make sense for a poorer country to invest in building drones instead of fighters. This presents a dilemma for the U.S. because we are more prone to attacks, as seen on September 11, 2001.
In the first article Mark R. Jacobson lists 5 myths that have been sparked about the use of these drones, and
Dr. Flores
Eng 103
February 27, 2013
Unmanned Drones: Immoral? I chose to research two articles that take opposing sides on the use of tactical unmanned aerial vehicle drones that are being used in combat over seas seeing as how there is so much controversy surrounding this topic in the news nowadays. “The unmanned aerial vehicle also known as UAV is an aircraft with no pilot on board. UAV’s can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans” (www.theuav.com). These unmanned “drones” are used in the military for a number of things including intelligence gathering and attacks terrorist groups. The first article is the better of the two when it comes to convincing the reader. Although fighter planes have the advantage of and experienced pilot behind the wheel, unmanned drones are more accurate, less expensive and safer than fighter planes.
The point of the first article “Five Myths about Obama’s Drone War” (Washington Post) is to convince the reader that it is ok to use drones in combat. He talks about how during wartimes it is crucial for the weaponry to evolve, from slingshots to bow & arrows to guns to fighter planes to unmanned drones. He says, “that from a moral and ethical standpoint drones are little to no different than rifles, bombers or tanks.” (Washington Post) He also says that drones are some of the most precise weaponry used in combat theses day but doesn’t really provide statistics. “Drones should not give give us a false sense of security. The intelligence required for targeting may require U.S. boots on the ground.” (Washington Post) Drones are much less expensive than fighter aircrafts so it would make sense for a poorer country to invest in building drones instead of fighters. This presents a dilemma for the U.S. because we are more prone to attacks, as seen on September 11, 2001.
In the first article Mark R. Jacobson lists 5 myths that have been sparked about the use of these drones, and
Cited: Page 1. http://www.theuav.com/ 2. http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-08/opinions/36988550_1_drone-strikes-drone-pilots-civilian-casualties (Washington Post) 3. http://articles.latimes.com/2013/feb/17/opinion/la-oe-divoll-drones-hamdi-20130217 (LA Times)