Should the U.S. ban the use of land mines?

I'd like to know what you all think. Does it make a difference if they are used offensively or defensively? Yes, some mines do have offensive capabilities. I'm for the little buggers (with reasonable deployment). I'll spare you the tactical muttering of a blood and guts former U.S. Marine until after you've had your good say.

God Bless America,
ISDAMan

My biggest consideration regarding land mines is that they simply are unnecessary. The world has gathered before and agreed to ban certain weapons and chemical agents previously used in warfare on the grounds that these things were simply too cruel to employ in a fight over principles.

Since Reagan, at least, I've heard stories about the terrible weapons hidden in the United States' secret arsenal. From the days of satellites that could read your license plate, or hit a ball-point pen with a laser, I now hear of over-the-horizon radar and atmospheric manipulation. Our fighter jets, in 1987 or so, engaged the Libyans from 23 miles away, and destroyed them.

Given American firepower, strategy, and numbers, it almost seems absurd to use something like a land-mine, so restricted in its role.

When your best weapons are rifles, jellied gasoline, and machine guns on airplanes, then land-mines present a good local-defense option. But the age of this defense is behind us in the United States.

And so I think that yes, Americans should agree to a conventional ban on land mines.

thanx,
Tiassa

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"Religion isn't dead either. The AntiChrist will have access to computers, television, radio, and compact disc. If he walks among us already, the chances are that he has a walkman. I just hope it's not Christ himself, disillusioned after two thousand years in a cosmic sitting room full of magazines and cheeseplants, turned malignant and rotting in despair at the way his message has been perverted." (Robyn Hitchcock, 11/1987)

ISDAMan,

I am against anti-personal land mines. Thses land mines are not intended to kill but maime and they have maimed more civilans the soldiers. Ati-tank mines can not be set off by a person steping on them and kept to thier original role.