Yet Another Proud Moment...

In 2008 there were 5,197 recorded casualties due to landmines, which was not an unusual number. An estimated 70-85% of those casualties are civilians, many of them children and the elderly. By contrast, mines are largely ineffective in stopping smugglers, illegal immigrants(?!), and non-state armed groups.

For all those ultra-conservatives out there, here's another example of how little difference there is between Democrat and Republican politicians and administrations: the current administration, in a continuation of the status quo, has continued to endorse the use of land mines in warfare. 156 nations, including all other members of NATO, have signed the ban on land mine use, which kills and maims civilians in huge numbers for decades after conflicts have been resolved.

Here's a list of the other fine nations we are keeping company with...Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Finland, Georgia, India, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Korea - North and South, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Libya, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Hmmm...it seems that we have more in common with totalitarian states on this issue. What has happened to the good 'ole USA?

Please support the ban on land mines and express your outrage at this failure on the part of the current administration. For more information, check out the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.