Bottom Left Politics

Some more Change We Can Believe In coming from the Obama Administration:  The administration has decided not to join the rest of the world (literally – 156 countries, or about three-fourths of the world, have joined) in banning the production and use of landmines.

If this seems like a no-brainer to you, that’s because it is.  156 countries have signed this treaty because it’s a no-brainer.  Recognizing the uselessly destructive nature of landmines is as simple as recognizing the law of gravity.  Up to 20,000 people per year are either killed or maimed for life because of landmines, many of which have been made in the United States and exported to poor countries like Afghanistan, Rwanda, and Somalia.  Between 30 and 40 percent of the victims of landmines are children under the age of 15.  The rest of the world understands this;  in fact, the rest of the world understood this back in 1997 when the Mine Ban Treaty was formed.  The Clinton Administration promised that the U.S. would join in 2006, as long as “alternatives” to landmines (whatever that means) were found.  Then, in 2004, the Bush Administration rescinded Clinton’s promise and indefinitely allowed the U.S. to use landmines around the world.

And, despite the hopes of humanitarian organizations and the urging of NGOs, the Obama Administration will not change this sickening landmine “policy.”  Why?  What could the reasoning possibly be?  Well, according to State Department spokesman Ian Kelly:

We made our policy review and we determined that we would not be able to meet our national defense needs nor our security commitments to our friends and allies if we sign this convention.

Son of a bitch.  ”National defense needs.”  ”Security commitments.”  In effect, President Obama is saying to the thousands upon thousands of children who either lose their lives or have their lives ruined by U.S.-made landmines:  ”I’m sorry.  But take heart – you’re helping the U.S. meet its national defense needs and security commitments to its friends and allies.”  I’m sure the families that are destroyed as a direct result of the United States’ unwillingness to take a leading role in banning landmines are happy that they can at least contribute to the national defense needs of the United States.

Read more about the campaign to ban landmines.  The Obama Administration refuses to budge on this, but this isn’t something we can afford to give up on.

The blogger, Kristofer Paul, can be reached at bottomleftpolitics@yahoo.com.