U.S. Drone Program Seeks Taxpayer BailoutBy Nicholas West Controversy continues to mount over the role that drones have played in Americas war on terror. Massive civilian casualties have been documented, each of which calls into question the precision part of the precision strikes that have been ordered to rain down upon a good swath of the Middle East. In addition to the outrage expressed by the civilian populations of the target countries, the number of Americans who disapprove of drone strikes is increasing (though still only around 35%), despite a major media blackout on any reports that criticize the drone program. However, the U.S. government and especially the military has long dismissed complaints that are based on strictly humanitarian grounds, especially as they have made proclamations that drone use will likely double in the near future. There is also the problem that the U.S. drone program has sparked a global drone arms race for which the only natural military solution is to develop even more high-tech drones and widen their use as a countermeasure to emerging threats. The truth of the matter is that there is only one real problem with the drone program pilots are quitting in higher numbers than those seeking this type of employment. The reasons range from overwork to lack of on-base housing to whistleblowers who have revealed the horrific mental toll that is exacted upon those who engage in a culture of remote control death. Moreover, these whistleblowers have argued that the program, even if accepted at face value, is not effective and is most assuredly creating more terrorism than it purports to combat. But as we have learned when the government establishes a roadmap to somewhere, it is not an option for that destination to be a dead end. Especially when there are massive contracts at stake for private defense companies. The Air Force is now requesting from Congress (read: taxpayer) a five-year, $3 billion dollar commitment to expand the number of drones and pilots, as well as add additional bases. Perhaps most telling is that the Air Force is offering $125,000 bribes bonuses to pilots who renew their five-year contracts. After all, nothing inspires confidence in a long-term program better than short-term desperation. Sadly, a massive drone lobbying apparatus is combined with a majority of Americans who still support drone bombings (and a healthy percentage who will even bomb fictitious countries evidently). Add to this an upcoming election amid propaganda to convince even more of the public that waves of terrorists are pounding upon American shores, and it all but guarantees the continuance of a program that will only become more dangerous as time goes on. Additional Sources: Image Credit Nicholas West writes for selfnewsPost.com. This article may be freely shared with proper author attribution and source link. Really, Americans have more blood on our hands than we can even dream of in our Night Terrors! And now, Wholesale Murder is too big to fail!? Screw you, Leaders! How much safer will the world be when you cant borrow against over taxed and unemployed Americans? A hunnert n twenty five grand for committing your soul to this slaughter? Not hyperbole to consider having to live ones life out with hundreds if not thousands of pointless murders on ones conscience. Drones could be useful for recognition or monitoring missions or aerial spying without risking ground personnel. Improving commercial drones capabilities will be a plus for the military, for business and for the tax payers. No citizen funded bailouts until the citizens get a bailout, a jubilee AND a guarantee that there will be NO ARMED drones over America. If only..the citizens/People have absolutely NO say in what the criminals of the corporation say or do. Listen to this guy. I like his message. Unfortunately, this guy is just as clueless as the rest of the puppets ; he will continue the destruction of the American people as heartily as the rest of them. I used to think he had something of value to say UNTIL he began showing his real agenda. Actually, I dont think any of them are clueless..I believe what they say is what they have signed on to say. I so wish it wasnt so. Id like to have one especially the missile firing type. I dont know about anyone else but this taking OUR MONEY nonsense has to stop. Too bad you idiots spent all you got from us and giving nothing to us in return now there is NO money and Ive had enough of you traitors saying we ! What do you mean we ? There is no me and you that means we. You are not for We The People. You are in it for you the traitors. And now you traitors have just about worn out your welcome here in this Republic so some advice , get out of our republic while you still able to with you chicken necks still in one piece The usa flying death squads. I dont foresee my self traveling abroad in the future. As an American I feel my government has painted a bulls-eye on me. We need more people voting. You can only vote for whom THEY select for us to choose from. Voting, in a country run by a corporation at the top and endless corporations in-between masquerading as government at various levels, is an exercise in futility and fraud by those actors. I concur 