Philip Alston quotes

“This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without doing grave damage to the rules designed to protect the right to life and prevent extrajudicial executions.”
-- Philip Alston

Source : "U.N. report faults prolific use of drone strikes by U.S." by David S. Cloud, articles.latimes.com. June 3, 2010.

#Accountability Quotes #Damage Quotes #Execution Quotes

“Because operators are based thousands of miles away from the battlefield, and undertake operations entirely through computer screens and remote audio feed, there is a risk of developing a 'PlayStation' mentality to killing.”
-- Philip Alston

Source : "Drone warfare: life on the new frontline" by Chris Woods, www.theguardian.com. February 24, 2015.

#Risk Quotes #Audio Quotes #Computer Quotes

“The problem with the United States is that it is making an increased use of drones/Predators [which are] particularly prominently used now in relation to Pakistan and Afghanistan...My concern is that drones/Predators are being operated in a framework which may well violate international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
-- Philip Alston

#Rights Quotes #Law Quotes #Drones Quotes

“Journalism is the only profession explicitly protected by the U.S. Constitution, because journalists are supposed to be the check and balance on government. We're supposed to be holding those in power accountable. We're not supposed to be their megaphone. That's what the corporate media have become.”

“It amazes me that parents are allowed to raise kids. There's so much power and often very little accountability.”

“The internet brought many laudable things, but prosperity, stability, accountability and honest politics were not four of them.”

“The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.”

“Be quiet or I'll be forced to flick you." "Ooh," he mocked. "The ultimate threat. I don't think I've ever been flicked before." "Are you suggesting I can't hurt you?" "On the contrary, I think you have the power to do great damage.”

“I had assumed that the Earth, the spirit of the Earth, noticed exceptions-those who wantonly damage it and those who do not. But the Earth is wise. It has given itself into the keeping of all, and all are therefore accountable.”

“I used to love to untangle chains when I was a child. I had thin, busy fingers, and I never gave up. Perhaps there was a psychiatric component to my concentration but like much of my psychic damage, this worked to everyone's advantage.”

“Nothing can work me damage except myself.”

“This is an execution, not surgery. Where does that come from, that you must find the method of execution that causes the least pain?”

“Thomas Jefferson explained, Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated. .. If Congress can determine what constitutes the general welfare and can appropriate money for its advancement, where is the limitation to carrying into execution whatever can be effected by money?.”