I found the final story on ABC news last night particularly objectionable. Obscene, even. I've spent quite a bit of time wondering just why it bothered me so much. The story was the report on the development of the new, small, smart bomb. The whole point of the bomb is to reduce collateral damage. Now that would be a good thing, and I should have been excited to hear that anyone in the military cares about that. It certainly represents a change from the good old days of carpet bombing in Viet Nam, or say, Dresden, for example.
Jeffrey Kofman reported the story and sounded somewhat like a kid in a candy store, and I think that was what first set me off. Instead of a straight forward story on what it costs to produce this new bomb and how many lives it might actually save (though let us not forget that it is intended to take lives, just more accurately), we have a first-hand opportunity to ride along in the plane with Mr. Kofman while the bomb is tested. He is clearly in awe of the opportunity. I am clearly disgusted by the thrill he is experiencing.
I couldn't help wishing for Peter Jennings "gravitas," much as I have come to feel that is a pompous word as it is bandied about today. Where was Mr. Kofman's understanding of what real bombs to do real people? Where was the analysis of what might be done with the money expended on these ever newer weapons? Where was the discussion of how, as we make "smarter and smarter" bombs, we seem to be producing greater and greater morons who hold the reins of the power to create situations in which to use these lovely weapons. And does anyone think about how much easier it is to launch these weapons from 15,000 feet away from the target with the push of a button? Do the droppers of the bombs see the destruction they cause? Do they care? Why was this considered a news story? What corporations sponsor ABC news and what might their interest be in bomb-making?
For those who may have missed the story last night, I repeat, below, an excerpt from the abcnews.com web site:
"As the Air Force now sees it, in today's warfare smaller is better. With these new Small Diameter Bombs, it hopes to accomplish three things at once: get more weapons on each aircraft; fire those weapons from much further away than JDAMs allow; and, critically, with much less explosive inside, aim to strike with surgical precision."
When the story ended, I must say, I thought that we should all rush off to our nearest FAO Schwartz to pick up the newest edition of our own, small, smart bomb. But wait, don't purchase yours too soon, because:
". . . the next generation of Small Diameter Bomb is already in early development. The FLM, or Focused Lethality Munition, will take surgical precision to a new level. It will be made of hardened plastics that disintegrate on explosion, eliminating the deadly metal fragments, or shrapnel, that causes so much unintended damage and destruction. Clearly, the Air Force is determined to refine what it believes will be the surgical strike weapon of choice for 21st century warfare." Hold the phone, Mr. Kofman may get another chance to ride along when they test the FLM.....who thinks up these names? Focused Lethality Munition???? Good God! Someone should quickly notify the 'collateral damage" that help is on the way!
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