For those who glance at PBS occasionally, the program airing currently (here) called Bombies, explores the consequences of the 2 million tons of bombs, many of those Cluster Bombs - dropped on Laos (against Geneva Convention agreements we also signed in '62). Often these were dropped just for landing safety - when other missions to Cambodia were aborted for weather reasons. This was all secret stuff of course, at the time - never mind the illegality, etc.

Some 500k missions were flown, according to the program. It runs an hour, shows the daily efforts to find and destroy these cluster bomblets as are everywhere - preventing development even of roads throughout the country / thus development and survival. Many tools and implements in wide use, are made from forged metal from these bombs - that's how ubiquitous they are.

We don't hear much about Laos.. a remarkable people, for Not despising US and everything we say we stand for. (Few of these forays were aimed at anything like a 'military target' BTW.) Survivors describe what they saw - including herds of cows targeted, wiped out - as people had to spend most every day hiding in caves. Ergo: couldn't plant rice. So - famine, then.

Apparently Bombies are just after land mines as - one of US's most widely dispersed products. They seem to have an execrable failure rate, with many falling partially armed, as they rely upon sufficient centrif. force to activate. Ideal as sleepers for succeeding generations, one might suppose. Unfortunate accident, no doubt.

re Afghanistan? Unlike Laos: we haven't dropped more tonnage there than in WW-II. Yet. But notice in a few years when the (no doubt improved) worldwide video starts showing the amputees and dead: from our present Bombies (so conveniently the same color as the food packets). About 1/3 may be children (as in Laos to date), but then, we are inured to 'the cheeldrun', natch. PC and all. Oh well.

Check it out. If you can stand to.



A.