Civilizations emerged over thousands of years by merging of cultures. Cultures began in families, flowed from villages, to regions and eventually became national beliefs, values and traditions. Parents instilled cultural norms into their children who accepted an expectation of hard work and honor as their duty.
From the Stone Age the process of enculturation was slow but flexible enough to accept change brought about by fire, the wheel and migrations. Fires and wheels were technological advancements but immigration brought a human richness to cultures. Immigrant enculturation is a two way street where they learn the traditions of the host while contributing to its culture and sharing the common duty of hard work and honesty bound by the axiom that their word was their bond.
While not exclusive, much of the melding of cultures took place in the Americas through the 19th century becoming more universal in the 20th century. The universal culture of integrity and hard work beginning the century gave the world a technological whirlwind of advancement. The 20th century was also one of almost constant universal warfare (colonial, global, national and cold) and a breakdown of traditional cultures.
Why is the thousands of years of cultural continuity suddenly heading for a global train wreck? Early in the 20th century a new cultural dynamic began replacing the traditional parental enculturation. It was slow off the block but as war accelerated advances in communication; advertising, mass marketing and spin rapidly gained control of cultural messaging. Print requires a overt act of reading while radio and television are passive tailored to sell not only soap but also new cultural norms to everyone within range.
By mid century sociologist began to note that regional dialects were beginning to even out to a television standard. By the end of the century they noted that new generations had a totally different beliefs and values than their parents. The rich culinary heritage of merged cultures was disappearing under the weight of franchising where the same bad food can be eaten everywhere, all the time. Advertising agencies were quick to normalize bad as the new good. Poor quality production kept the factories feeding superstores where choices disappeared under marketing blitz. Politicians joined the mass marketing culture of lie with style and are repeatedly reelected. Youth sees through the misdirection of advertising, marketing and spin and is alienated to the point of developing their own cultural norms where hard work and integrity no longer exists. An innovator becomes one who finds new ways to plagiarize new ways to deceive new ways to corrupt and new ways to gain unearned profits.
The cultural trains are already racing down the track to a cataclysmic wreck between traditionalist and futurist cultures. Traditionalists are attempting to hold the track, but life being limited, the futurist will win. That future culture is a feared unknown of eroding traditional values. It's speculated about even demonized in popular fiction. Despite all efforts there can be little doubt that whatever it will become, it will eventually become the new reality.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Holidays 112814
'Tis' the season, there is one common thing across religions and cultures, they all have holidays of some sort. They aren't universal holidays but from the most primitive culture to the most sophisticated they celebrate something. It is probable that a fast moving world traveler could find a celebration everyday of the year.
Holidays are a time for reflection, giving thanks and thoughts of peace and good will. They tend to look at a nostalgic past, but seldom at an unknown future. For the most part feasting is the tradition although some are noted for fasting or temporary sacrifice.
As the world wobbles on its axis honest reflection sees there is little peace in the world and a great many people have little reason to be thankful. Large and small conflicts continue to send streams of refugees searching for a safe haven in forest, deserts, or their communities' rubble. Domestic riots abound where stores, homes and shelters are put to the torch adding to the stream, keeping the masses moving somewhere else. Massive fires, snows, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes destroy more homes and lives sending even more homeless into the stream of homeless refugees.
Eventually the stream will begin to disperse, find new lives integrated into new cultures, those young enough to start their lives over. With the exit of the young the stream loses its dynamic nature that attracts world attention. What is eventually left in the wake of natural and manmade disasters are isolated elderly, dispirited and far to old to begin building again and to set in their ways to be part of new cultures.
They are depressed, often alone, without resources and to proud to beg for charity. They worked hard all their lives, saved a little then suddenly through no fault of their own everything is lost. Their world disappeared. At best they were under insured so there is little replacement of lost homes and possessions. Eventually, if they are lucky, they may end up warehoused in some State run "shelter" where the food is below subsistence levels and accommodations inadequate. Shelter staff will relieve the elderly of their few remaining possessions and brutalize the defenseless. Sooner or later some politician will see few votes or protests from the shelters but sees personal profit in privatizing.
Too harsh a view? From earliest news reels to the present there are records of old people struggling in the stream with their few pathetic possessions. Scenes from developed nations where some aid is possible. There is little film of even worse conditions in the more remote regions of the world were the old and weak just disappear.
Even the relatively well off must face the possibilities, as disasters by nature are often total; wealth, records and homes disappear in the blink of and eye leaving only despair and diaspora. For the elderly there is no recovery, ever.
This holiday season reflect a little on the future. Work for peace in the streets and battlefields. Consider recovery assistance, one dynamic is unchangeable, everyone who lives long enough is "old." and vulnerable.
Holidays are a time for reflection, giving thanks and thoughts of peace and good will. They tend to look at a nostalgic past, but seldom at an unknown future. For the most part feasting is the tradition although some are noted for fasting or temporary sacrifice.
As the world wobbles on its axis honest reflection sees there is little peace in the world and a great many people have little reason to be thankful. Large and small conflicts continue to send streams of refugees searching for a safe haven in forest, deserts, or their communities' rubble. Domestic riots abound where stores, homes and shelters are put to the torch adding to the stream, keeping the masses moving somewhere else. Massive fires, snows, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes destroy more homes and lives sending even more homeless into the stream of homeless refugees.
Eventually the stream will begin to disperse, find new lives integrated into new cultures, those young enough to start their lives over. With the exit of the young the stream loses its dynamic nature that attracts world attention. What is eventually left in the wake of natural and manmade disasters are isolated elderly, dispirited and far to old to begin building again and to set in their ways to be part of new cultures.
They are depressed, often alone, without resources and to proud to beg for charity. They worked hard all their lives, saved a little then suddenly through no fault of their own everything is lost. Their world disappeared. At best they were under insured so there is little replacement of lost homes and possessions. Eventually, if they are lucky, they may end up warehoused in some State run "shelter" where the food is below subsistence levels and accommodations inadequate. Shelter staff will relieve the elderly of their few remaining possessions and brutalize the defenseless. Sooner or later some politician will see few votes or protests from the shelters but sees personal profit in privatizing.
Too harsh a view? From earliest news reels to the present there are records of old people struggling in the stream with their few pathetic possessions. Scenes from developed nations where some aid is possible. There is little film of even worse conditions in the more remote regions of the world were the old and weak just disappear.
Even the relatively well off must face the possibilities, as disasters by nature are often total; wealth, records and homes disappear in the blink of and eye leaving only despair and diaspora. For the elderly there is no recovery, ever.
This holiday season reflect a little on the future. Work for peace in the streets and battlefields. Consider recovery assistance, one dynamic is unchangeable, everyone who lives long enough is "old." and vulnerable.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Three R's 111914
Remember the "Greatest Generation," those people that created an American century?
Born in the late 19th and early 20th century, many first or second generation Americans, they built modern America by brainpower. They created aviation, tying the world together. Henry Ford is credited with inventing mass production, but Ford knew it was his workers that solved the problems and made it work. They pioneered oil exploration and highway designs that serviced Ford's automobiles. They built bridges spanning rivers and dams electrifying the nation. They designed rail networks, radio networks, medical networks, business networks and created a cultural network that was America, then exported that culture to the world.
Tempered by two wars and a great depression they remained visionaries seeking to build a better future. Many of this great generation were the products of one-room schoolhouses that slowly disappeared by mid-century. Often the teachers in those schools had a limited education themselves but they taught a love of learning that emerged as a problem solving generation. Those teachers left a legacy of cowboys carrying books in their saddlebags, builders who solved complex math in their heads and libraries for continued learning. As the one-room schools disappeared neighborhood schools staffed by teachers who knew their subjects rather than theories replaced them.
As the teachers who loved sharing knowledge began to disappear they were replaced by an education industry strong on theory but unable to inspire student's visions of the future. America's lead as the world's most literate began to erode with the industry producing graduates who could neither read nor balance a checkbook. America began to slip down the literacy ladder; the problem was obvious the solution was not. The education industry saw money to be made, theories flourished. Billions were spent on mega-schools, better football but education was lost in a maze. The industry discovered even more money could be made by building smaller charter schools, big bucks but limited education. The industry reassessed, building schools cut into profits why not just write tests and lobby politicians to subsidize the industry by making its test mandatory across the country. Teachers were relegated to being petty bureaucrats keeping records and attending meetings on testing theory. In the 50s President Eisenhower warned against the military industrial complex, he did not foresee the conspiracy dangers of political- educational industry.
A legislator recently proposed a law requiring his political ideas be added to curriculums. Religious and social groups along with fringe elements are demanding their teachings. Textbooks have become politically correct but factually flawed. "Reading, Riting and Rithmetic" has given way to radiating rabid radicalism; or maybe it's raucous, rattlebrained, rascality. It may be time for rebellious parents to overthrow the reckless, recalcitrant education theorist and reexamine, refurbish and reestablish an old education theory leading to a learning renaissance. In that theory parents take an interest in academic accomplishment, trusted teachers are freed to inspire students' to visions and judge when their student have mastered the three "Rs."
Born in the late 19th and early 20th century, many first or second generation Americans, they built modern America by brainpower. They created aviation, tying the world together. Henry Ford is credited with inventing mass production, but Ford knew it was his workers that solved the problems and made it work. They pioneered oil exploration and highway designs that serviced Ford's automobiles. They built bridges spanning rivers and dams electrifying the nation. They designed rail networks, radio networks, medical networks, business networks and created a cultural network that was America, then exported that culture to the world.
Tempered by two wars and a great depression they remained visionaries seeking to build a better future. Many of this great generation were the products of one-room schoolhouses that slowly disappeared by mid-century. Often the teachers in those schools had a limited education themselves but they taught a love of learning that emerged as a problem solving generation. Those teachers left a legacy of cowboys carrying books in their saddlebags, builders who solved complex math in their heads and libraries for continued learning. As the one-room schools disappeared neighborhood schools staffed by teachers who knew their subjects rather than theories replaced them.
As the teachers who loved sharing knowledge began to disappear they were replaced by an education industry strong on theory but unable to inspire student's visions of the future. America's lead as the world's most literate began to erode with the industry producing graduates who could neither read nor balance a checkbook. America began to slip down the literacy ladder; the problem was obvious the solution was not. The education industry saw money to be made, theories flourished. Billions were spent on mega-schools, better football but education was lost in a maze. The industry discovered even more money could be made by building smaller charter schools, big bucks but limited education. The industry reassessed, building schools cut into profits why not just write tests and lobby politicians to subsidize the industry by making its test mandatory across the country. Teachers were relegated to being petty bureaucrats keeping records and attending meetings on testing theory. In the 50s President Eisenhower warned against the military industrial complex, he did not foresee the conspiracy dangers of political- educational industry.
A legislator recently proposed a law requiring his political ideas be added to curriculums. Religious and social groups along with fringe elements are demanding their teachings. Textbooks have become politically correct but factually flawed. "Reading, Riting and Rithmetic" has given way to radiating rabid radicalism; or maybe it's raucous, rattlebrained, rascality. It may be time for rebellious parents to overthrow the reckless, recalcitrant education theorist and reexamine, refurbish and reestablish an old education theory leading to a learning renaissance. In that theory parents take an interest in academic accomplishment, trusted teachers are freed to inspire students' to visions and judge when their student have mastered the three "Rs."
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Spoken? 110614
Election 14 is over; long live election 16 which began in election 08. The GOP (Grand Old Party) scored a great victory in election 14 wining control of the Senate and claiming the majority has spoken in the states.
Like most politics today it is mud that is being flung at the electorate. The majority didn't speak, only about a third of the electorate even bothered to vote. Contested elections were squeakers meaning a majority of slightly over a sixth ruled the day. The Republicans true to their name, claim a mandate for revolution. The election was neither a mandate nor a call for revolution, it was a statement of their message control.
Election 08 was also a GOP statement which colors the American culture. The GOP allowed a Black man to be elected to prove it was no longer racist while obstructing that President's ability to govern, supporting 19th century stereotypical racial theories. Even before the votes were counted the GOP was actively demonizing the candidate/president and arguing his every action, even protesting the color of his suit. Possibly the party's expectation was that a horrified electorate would give the President his "come uppance" in the next election and swing further to the right. The vote did swing right but to the party's own horror their "Token" returned to the White House.
Election 14 may be the most expensive in history, estimates range between one and ten billion dollars spent in a by-election. The electorate will probably never know its true cost as much of the money falls in the non-reportable category. In part the spending reflects deep pockets attempting to buy legislative agendas but also it is the result of a growing campaign industry that fuels and feeds on elections. The GOP became a frenzied mob dragging by standing Democrats along on the sole issue that the President is the devil to be cast out with all of his followers.
From the GOP's point of view they now have the best of both worlds, total control of the legislature, control of most states and a lame duck President to blame for everything. Its target is not achieving the American dream but gaining control of the country in election 16. The swing to the right is not unexpected, it follows global reactions to long periods of liberal governance. The GOP however is fractured as never before, there is no consensus on anything except that the left has carried the country in the wrong direction.
The GOP's direction? No platform, but a look at the past few years of "Red" state control give an indication. Gerrymandering districts to favor GOP voting and dilute minority influences, restrictive voting qualification, elimination of labor protections in favor of big business, hostility to women's issues and the only recognized religion is evangelical Christianity. The new majority has proclaimed that it will eliminate the Federal Reserve and turn its functions over to Wall Street money men, the same people that gave the world the 2008 crash. In short the GOP actions look a lot like the mid 19th century when minorities didn't dare vote, women had no vote, labor was told how to vote, good Christians knew how to vote, buying a vote was cheap and big money approved the results or votes disappeared.
Like most politics today it is mud that is being flung at the electorate. The majority didn't speak, only about a third of the electorate even bothered to vote. Contested elections were squeakers meaning a majority of slightly over a sixth ruled the day. The Republicans true to their name, claim a mandate for revolution. The election was neither a mandate nor a call for revolution, it was a statement of their message control.
Election 08 was also a GOP statement which colors the American culture. The GOP allowed a Black man to be elected to prove it was no longer racist while obstructing that President's ability to govern, supporting 19th century stereotypical racial theories. Even before the votes were counted the GOP was actively demonizing the candidate/president and arguing his every action, even protesting the color of his suit. Possibly the party's expectation was that a horrified electorate would give the President his "come uppance" in the next election and swing further to the right. The vote did swing right but to the party's own horror their "Token" returned to the White House.
Election 14 may be the most expensive in history, estimates range between one and ten billion dollars spent in a by-election. The electorate will probably never know its true cost as much of the money falls in the non-reportable category. In part the spending reflects deep pockets attempting to buy legislative agendas but also it is the result of a growing campaign industry that fuels and feeds on elections. The GOP became a frenzied mob dragging by standing Democrats along on the sole issue that the President is the devil to be cast out with all of his followers.
From the GOP's point of view they now have the best of both worlds, total control of the legislature, control of most states and a lame duck President to blame for everything. Its target is not achieving the American dream but gaining control of the country in election 16. The swing to the right is not unexpected, it follows global reactions to long periods of liberal governance. The GOP however is fractured as never before, there is no consensus on anything except that the left has carried the country in the wrong direction.
The GOP's direction? No platform, but a look at the past few years of "Red" state control give an indication. Gerrymandering districts to favor GOP voting and dilute minority influences, restrictive voting qualification, elimination of labor protections in favor of big business, hostility to women's issues and the only recognized religion is evangelical Christianity. The new majority has proclaimed that it will eliminate the Federal Reserve and turn its functions over to Wall Street money men, the same people that gave the world the 2008 crash. In short the GOP actions look a lot like the mid 19th century when minorities didn't dare vote, women had no vote, labor was told how to vote, good Christians knew how to vote, buying a vote was cheap and big money approved the results or votes disappeared.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Halloween 14, 103014
October is the month when the movie channels get to dust off all the old grade "Z" horror films. Advertisers managed to stretch a one-day Christian celebration into a month long marketing orgy of blood, screams, and adult tricks with cheap treats for the kids.
Halloween 2014 has been particularly bloody with diabolical tricks on the entire population in the run up to November elections. Every election cycle has become more vicious as candidates become Whirling Dervishes in spinning "truths". The Supreme Court's tricks opened the door to virtually unlimited campaign funds and protected political rhetoric as free speech. Candidates no longer bother inventing their truths, now they un-apologetically flat out lie with their tricks running for months. Congressional tricks muddy the water and freed political tele-marketers to interrupt every meal. Once upon a time voters were able to rest between elections but political tricksters are already working on Halloween 2015.
One party promises a return to the good old days. Electioneering in the good old days bought votes for a pint of whisky, candidates really stabbed each other and minorities were lynched for even dreaming of voting. The good old days were much cheaper than the forecast billion-dollar price tag of today's partisan campaigns. A billion could feed lots homeless this thanksgiving. Instead it'll feed dissention, alienation and ultimately the collapse of the culture. The HORROR of it all is that there are no possible treats for voters.
Halloween 2014 has been particularly bloody with diabolical tricks on the entire population in the run up to November elections. Every election cycle has become more vicious as candidates become Whirling Dervishes in spinning "truths". The Supreme Court's tricks opened the door to virtually unlimited campaign funds and protected political rhetoric as free speech. Candidates no longer bother inventing their truths, now they un-apologetically flat out lie with their tricks running for months. Congressional tricks muddy the water and freed political tele-marketers to interrupt every meal. Once upon a time voters were able to rest between elections but political tricksters are already working on Halloween 2015.
One party promises a return to the good old days. Electioneering in the good old days bought votes for a pint of whisky, candidates really stabbed each other and minorities were lynched for even dreaming of voting. The good old days were much cheaper than the forecast billion-dollar price tag of today's partisan campaigns. A billion could feed lots homeless this thanksgiving. Instead it'll feed dissention, alienation and ultimately the collapse of the culture. The HORROR of it all is that there are no possible treats for voters.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Summer Snows 100914
Change is in the air. Deserts are flooding; the south freezes while the north bakes. Volcanoes are blowing their tops while ice caps melt; rivers run dry as oceans rise. Primitives panic over angry gods and search for the last virgin to toss into a volcano. Scientist point to cyclic climate change. Environmentalists blame evil industrialist and conservative politicians deny change and claim liberals are spreading the panic.
No climate change would be complete without lots of sunshine and ill winds. It was only four years ago when all the techno-nerds and liberals were proclaiming social media as the sunshine that brought democracy in an "Arab Spring." Springtime was quickly followed by the "Arab Winter." Turns out that social media was not technocracy nor was it restricted to sunshine and April showers but also March tornado like winds as Arab Spring democracies were replaced by coups and competing insurgencies on media waves
Spies love social media since they can tap into everyone's inter most secrets. Cops and occupying armies however hate social media because camera phones post pictures of their failures. In other words social media is not a sword of freedom, truth and justice but a bombshell where everyone has a hammer to explode it in all direction. Once applauded for inciting mobs that overthrew unfriendly regimes, friendly governments now quake before media mobs. From Washington to Tehran governments are attempting to censor and control social media, even imposing criminal penalties on its use.
Efforts are domed for users are finding ways around government constraints; new apps and new links confound attempts to control the messages. The ISIS has begun using social media to get its words out and even recruit converts to its cause and army.
ISIS recruiters use soft sell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and ask.fm encouraging the devout, adventurers or alienated to join a true cause in Syria. Major media claims that they do not allow people who promote violence and terror on their systems but with billions of messages daily the task is impossible. If one messenger is shut out there are other electronic routes to carry the word. Information is even exchanged on web forums using advanced encryption software.
Without a virgin to toss into a raging volcano politicians are posting their own propaganda and disinformation in hopes of appeasing the gods of dissatisfaction, alienation and rising tides. Messages and counter messaging serves to muddy the waters of freedom and truth. Many find support for what they already want to believe but is that the truth, does it serve peace, freedom even debate?
Social media provides personal communication and entertainment in a storm tossed muddy swamp of social interaction. The virgins being tossed into the volcano are trust, integrity, and surety. Does anyone really care about a minute by minute life account? Is the sender really a sex-starved billionaire virgin, a cop seeking to entrap or a terrorist running a scam? Ask for a selfie, but is even that really real?
No climate change would be complete without lots of sunshine and ill winds. It was only four years ago when all the techno-nerds and liberals were proclaiming social media as the sunshine that brought democracy in an "Arab Spring." Springtime was quickly followed by the "Arab Winter." Turns out that social media was not technocracy nor was it restricted to sunshine and April showers but also March tornado like winds as Arab Spring democracies were replaced by coups and competing insurgencies on media waves
Spies love social media since they can tap into everyone's inter most secrets. Cops and occupying armies however hate social media because camera phones post pictures of their failures. In other words social media is not a sword of freedom, truth and justice but a bombshell where everyone has a hammer to explode it in all direction. Once applauded for inciting mobs that overthrew unfriendly regimes, friendly governments now quake before media mobs. From Washington to Tehran governments are attempting to censor and control social media, even imposing criminal penalties on its use.
Efforts are domed for users are finding ways around government constraints; new apps and new links confound attempts to control the messages. The ISIS has begun using social media to get its words out and even recruit converts to its cause and army.
ISIS recruiters use soft sell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and ask.fm encouraging the devout, adventurers or alienated to join a true cause in Syria. Major media claims that they do not allow people who promote violence and terror on their systems but with billions of messages daily the task is impossible. If one messenger is shut out there are other electronic routes to carry the word. Information is even exchanged on web forums using advanced encryption software.
Without a virgin to toss into a raging volcano politicians are posting their own propaganda and disinformation in hopes of appeasing the gods of dissatisfaction, alienation and rising tides. Messages and counter messaging serves to muddy the waters of freedom and truth. Many find support for what they already want to believe but is that the truth, does it serve peace, freedom even debate?
Social media provides personal communication and entertainment in a storm tossed muddy swamp of social interaction. The virgins being tossed into the volcano are trust, integrity, and surety. Does anyone really care about a minute by minute life account? Is the sender really a sex-starved billionaire virgin, a cop seeking to entrap or a terrorist running a scam? Ask for a selfie, but is even that really real?
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Droning on 100514
International laws are supposed to define international behavior. There are treaties between States that establish rules of conduct between those signatories, Under the U.S. Constitution (Art.VI, pp2) treaties rank with the Constitution as supreme law of the land. There are international conventions that set out such things the maritime law, human rights, rules of war, etc. binding on and even greater number of signatories. Then, like common law, there is precedent, which over time has become accepted as reasonable interstate conduct.
Over hundreds of years of international precedents, conventions and treaties dictate how states should behave in and interactive world. After WWII (the American century) the United States has written and instigated more international law than was generated by all the nations in all the previous centuries. Despite creating the laws and signing on to the provisions however the United States has consistently refused to be bound by these laws.
The international community floated a new convention directed at the U.S. practices of remote assignation by use of Drones. Initially the world objected to "murder" of suspects without evidence as violations of international law. There were also objections to the collateral damage from drone attacks. America's response to the high non-combatant casualties was that villagers were guilty by association therefore legitimate targets.
As America began to add local dissenters to target list it began to pick up endorsements from local power brokers. International law has not been changed but international outrage is diminishing. There are several reasons for this, the shear volume and dispersion of Drone strikes blurs focus. America continues to loudly proclaim the legitimacy of its unilateral targeting and actively lobbies foreign policy support from dependent states to accept its new norm of warfare. If this acceptance survives long enough it becomes precedent.
There is an unforeseen consequence of the new norm, technology knows no borders. Turkey, China, Iran, Russia, France and Italy allegedly are buying or building killer Drones. Much of the technology that make Drones fly is from Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, China, India and available on the open market. Even terrorist groups have people that can build a weapon-carrying Drone. It may not be as pretty as those produced by the military industrial complex but it only has to make one flight.
A great many of the worlds teenagers already play the video games and fly sophisticated drones, they would love to step up to the bigger game. The kids would probably fly better than the current crop of old pilots. It is worth noting that in the developing world 30 to 50 percent of the population is less than 20 year of age, lots of capable future pilots.
Even if the international community eventually attempts to control remote targeted assassinations, it must be remembered that international law only applies to State actors not independent interests or terrorist. There may soon be a wave of bailing wire Drones coming over America's horizon armed with everything including Ebola.
Over hundreds of years of international precedents, conventions and treaties dictate how states should behave in and interactive world. After WWII (the American century) the United States has written and instigated more international law than was generated by all the nations in all the previous centuries. Despite creating the laws and signing on to the provisions however the United States has consistently refused to be bound by these laws.
The international community floated a new convention directed at the U.S. practices of remote assignation by use of Drones. Initially the world objected to "murder" of suspects without evidence as violations of international law. There were also objections to the collateral damage from drone attacks. America's response to the high non-combatant casualties was that villagers were guilty by association therefore legitimate targets.
As America began to add local dissenters to target list it began to pick up endorsements from local power brokers. International law has not been changed but international outrage is diminishing. There are several reasons for this, the shear volume and dispersion of Drone strikes blurs focus. America continues to loudly proclaim the legitimacy of its unilateral targeting and actively lobbies foreign policy support from dependent states to accept its new norm of warfare. If this acceptance survives long enough it becomes precedent.
There is an unforeseen consequence of the new norm, technology knows no borders. Turkey, China, Iran, Russia, France and Italy allegedly are buying or building killer Drones. Much of the technology that make Drones fly is from Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, China, India and available on the open market. Even terrorist groups have people that can build a weapon-carrying Drone. It may not be as pretty as those produced by the military industrial complex but it only has to make one flight.
A great many of the worlds teenagers already play the video games and fly sophisticated drones, they would love to step up to the bigger game. The kids would probably fly better than the current crop of old pilots. It is worth noting that in the developing world 30 to 50 percent of the population is less than 20 year of age, lots of capable future pilots.
Even if the international community eventually attempts to control remote targeted assassinations, it must be remembered that international law only applies to State actors not independent interests or terrorist. There may soon be a wave of bailing wire Drones coming over America's horizon armed with everything including Ebola.
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