The Spider

Human Rights Watch has a disturbing article about another disgusting decision coming out of our government's current administration. In 1997, 145 countries signed a Mine Ban Treaty. The U.S. did not, but had intended to sign. We stopped manufacturing "antipersonnel mines" at that time. In February of this year, the Bush administration presented a landmine policy, in which the "U.S. abandoned its long-held objective of joining the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which comprehensively prohibits the use, production, trade or stockpiling of antipersonnel mines." In December decisions will be made regarding the manufacture of a new type of landmine called The Spider. According to Steve Goose, director of HRW Arms division, "We are beginning to see the bitter fruit of the new Bush administration landmine policy....The U.S. appears well on the way to resuming production of antipersonnel mines. Renewed export and renewed use of these inhumane weapons may not be far behind."
Whenever there's a chance to do something decent with the rest of the world, this administration moves instead toward actions both inhumane and shameful.