To be a fly on the wall

This interesting piece appeared recently. The Pentagon wants to be the fly on the wall, or at least a butterfly. They recently announced a nano-air vehicle (NAV) program to develop an unmanned plane no larger than 7.5 centimeters in any direction, a maximum weight at takeoff of 10 grams—about the heft of a ballpoint pen—and a top speed of up to 10 meters per second.

How long until such nano-craft will be equipped with little nano-bullets and nano-missles? Not long, I'd wager.

Yet, as history has shown, we can't possibly hope to overcome our enemies by simply developing more creative ways to kill. We can win battles, but not a lasting peace.

So whats the answer? The answer is simply to do good in the world. Naive? Perhaps, but read for yourself how Pakistani's now hold America in the highest regard than at any time since 9/11, simply because we were there to help following the devastating earthquake that racked the country in 2005. Don't miss the fact that this editorial is from Rush Limbaugh's beloved Heritage Foundation thinktank. And especially don't miss their conclusion that:

It is "plainly a mistake to overemphasize the use of U.S. 'hard power' when 'soft power' can also fight terrorism/radicalism, and support the development of political, economic and social freedom."

Evil is evil, whether committed by Bin Laden or Bush.
Evil is evil, wether committed invisibly or in front of TV cameras.

That America will reap what it sows in the world is wisdom long known throughout the ages. If as much ingenuity and resource was humbly funneled toward fighting disease and hunger as is being devoted to creative killing (like tiny little flying spy aircraft), imagine what our world could be like.

America is at its best when it is doing good in the world, rather than evil in secret. America would be wise to listen to the Pakistani people and adjust its behavior throughout the Muslim world accordingly.