Depleted uranium is intended as a battlefield-only weapon. The problem is, 
the line between "battlefield" and "everywhere else" is, these days, 
basically undrawable. Mines are intended as battlefield-only, too, but end up 
killing and maiming far more civilians than soldiers. The Pentagon's focus 
is, primarily if not exclusively, on winning battles and wars. That's why 
there is civilian control of the military in the US. There are some weapons 
that simply should no longer be used, regardless of what the military says. 
Not that the Bush administration would ever dream of saying 'No' to the US 
military.

I have not the slightest sympathy for Saddam Hussein or his military, but the 
suffering of the people of Iraq does move me, even though I know it doesn't 
move Hussein at all.



Tom Beck


"I always knew I'd see the first man on the Moon. I didn't realize I'd also 
see the last." - Jerry Pournelle

Reply via email to