Mines Essay, Research Paper
Anti-Personnel landmines have been used in many wars even though the users and makers know how horrible they are, and what they do to people that are innocent, and more so, know what they do to children. Unlike the eye of a soldier, a landmine cannot differentiate between a civilian and a soldier. Landmines have destroyed the lives of many people who had nothing to do with the reason that they were planted.
An anti-personnel landmine does not stop killing people once the war or conflict that they were made for has ended. As a matter of fact, they can kill more than fifty years after they have been planted, and they do. In the 1980s, there was a study conducted. That study let us know that there were people killed or crippled every year in Poland from land mines planted in the 1940s, during World War II. This study also revealed to us another gruesome fact. Eighty percent of the people that were killed or crippled were children. These children were not even alive at the time the landmines were planted, and some had never even heard of the war in which they were planted. This is still happening in Poland today. However, there were more landmines planted per square mile in the Vietnam Conflict than there were in World War II.
Why is it so hard to remove these deadly mechanisms? First of all, any person attempting to remove a landmine is in great danger already. If they do not see a mine they can easily be blown up. If they do see the mine they can easily be blown up by not taking the proper procedure in removing it. This fact makes the cost of removing landmines incredibly expensive. To be exact they cost up to US$1000 each. The cost to make and plant a land mine, however, can be as little as US$3 per mine.
Contrary to popular opinion, most land mines do not kill just one person. Mines like the mine used most during the Vietnam Conflict, the “Claymore” mine, can kill tens of people at once. These indiscriminate murderers were introduced to the world in the year 1960, by none other than the United States. The Claymore mine is set off when someone trips a wire, or steps on a trigger. The mine then shoots more than 700 steel balls in the direction set by the people that planted the mine. This class of mine can kill up to 50 meters, and mutilate up to 100 meters. Though the Claymore mine can kill, that is not the main intention of it. Once a person is shot, depending on where of course, it is most likely that person will not come back to battle, therefore there is not a need to kill, but only wound. Also, it takes much more time, effort and money to hospitalize a person, instead of just letting him/her die. This happening will take the enemy down in many areas, (money, time, et cetera ) instead of only losing a person. With x-rays, and other medical technology, however, it was taking little time to take out the steel bullets from the bodies. This mine was modernized by having a plastic that is invisible to x-rays and other modern equipment, used for the maiming balls.
Speaking of other kinds of landmines used in warfare, one of the worst is the “Butterfly” mine. The mine was named by it’s butterfly like appearance, and when looked at by a child, or even an adult, seems to be a toy. This mine however, is nothing like a toy. The “wings” are used to allow the mine to “float” down from high distances without exploding on contact with the ground. The mine is commonly dropped, usually on an open field or valley like area, from a helicopter. Though the Butterfly mine rarely kills, it can easily blow off the foot, or leg of a grown man. These mines are the mines that hurt children most often. “One of the “wings” of the mine contains liquid explosives. When pressure is applied, the explosive is forced into contact with the fuse and the mine detonates.” Many people have stepped on mines like these, and most are civilians. A 17 year old male civilian who stepped on a butterfly mine quoted “I didn’t know what a landmine was. On the way home from a friend’s birthday party, we came upon a broken bridge. Near the bridge were some tubes. My friends went through the tubes and I went over the bridge, then I was blown up.”
The last type of mine that I will be covering, though it is far from the last of the mines there are, is the “bounding” mine. This mine is not made to maim but to kill. It leaps into the air when triggered, where it then explodes into more than 1,000 metal, bullet like pieces. Since it leaps into the air it explodes into the person who triggered it’s face. The bounding mine is lethal to a distance a little more than 25 meters.
All together there are more than 340 types of anti-personnel land mines have been created. Approximately US$200 million worth of money is spent on making landmines per year. So who are the wicked countries creating these and selling them. The main countries that export them are China, Russia, Italy, and once again, none other than the United States.
However, the world does not have only mines. Mine scattering systems that scatter tens, to even hundreds of landmines from air to ground, or from ground to ground, automatically. In a single year alone, the United States of America with the aid from no other countries, has spent over US$250 million on making and exporting landmine scattering systems. Is this what we want our taxes spent on? Killing machines.
So what can we as children do to prevent these disgusting contraptions from being made and sold in the United States. You can contact your representatives and your senators to support certain bills. Tell senators to support S. 896 and Representatives to support H.R. 2459. You can also call the White House Hotline and tell them what you think.
Другие работы по теме:
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
October Sky Essay Research Paper Homer Hickam
October Sky Essay, Research Paper Homer Hickam was a young boy from a West Virginia mining town who hungered for his father s approval. He knew he could earn it by following in his father s footsteps and spending his life down in the mines. But Homer had a dream to go to college and to devote his life to rocket technology.
Disarmament Essay Research Paper As the world
Disarmament Essay, Research Paper As the world exits a century which saw two World Wars destroy titans and all but decimate entire generations of young men, peaceful relations have become more crucial to maintaining world order and altruism. The nuclear arms race of the Cold War has ended thankfully without war or significant destruction.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Arms Control Essay Research Paper Arms ControlArms
Arms Control Essay, Research Paper Arms Control Arms control is a major issue facing the nations of the world today. The concept that a war today could destroy every living thing doesn?t sit well with many people. So to control weapons and what nations have these weapons will help control war. With problems with Nuclear weapons, Biological, chemical, and small arms we need to control them to help curve the problem.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Flaws In Germinal Essay Research Paper The
Flaws In Germinal Essay, Research Paper The Flaws in Germinal At first glance, one might say the capitalist system is righteous and it leads to more productivity, but upon discreet examination, the system has numerous flaws. As we discussed in class, one of the main flaws was the inability of the workers to advance themselves in society beyond the point of keeping food in their stomachs.
Land Mines Essay Research Paper Land mines
Land Mines Essay, Research Paper Land mines greatly contribute to the danger of international security because they are used as military weapons. Because land mines have caused great destruction there has been an effort from international and non-governmental organizations to ban mines and clear areas infected with them.
Jack Dempsey Essay Research Paper
##Jack Dempsey Jack Dempsey was born William Dempsey in 1895, Jack Dempsey was called the hardest puncher in the history of boxing. He started street fighting when he was 7, his power came from strong back and shoulder muscles, made from working in the copper mines and as a lumberjack. He turned pro at 19 and flattened all opposition.
Mexican Economy Essay Research Paper For the
Mexican Economy Essay, Research Paper For the fourth time in the past 20 years, the Mexican economy is in financial distress, largely because of bad monetary policies pursued by Mexican officials. The United States has responded in all four instances by lending money to the Mexican government as a short-term palliative.
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Princess Diana Essay Research Paper Princess DianaPrincess
Princess Diana Essay, Research Paper Princess Diana Princess Diana was an exceptional leader. Diana worked as a kindergarten teacher in London until her engagement to Prince Charles was announced in February of 1981. She wed Prince Charles in an internationally televised ceremony on July 29, 1981. Almost immediately, “Shy Di” as she was initially called by the press, blossomed into the “people’s Princess”.
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
History Of Korean 2
History Of Korean & Chinese Immigration Essay, Research Paper The first immigration of Koreans to the North Americas happened in the early 1900??s near the year 1902. They came to America to work on the sugar plantations in Hawaii.
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
My Childhood Essay Research Paper My ChildhoodThe
My Childhood Essay, Research Paper My Childhood The year is 1920. I am thirteen years old. I live in Mystic Iowa, a coal mining community. I have just started work in the coalmines with my father to held support mom, dad and my eight brothers and sisters. Life is tough but we are all happy. I have a responsibility as the oldest boy and that is to help out with money. (Barb)
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Naval Warships Essay Research Paper The Navy
Naval Warships Essay, Research Paper The Navy in World War I Prior to World War I, the U.S. Navy was not a prominent factor in the foreign economy. However, it was World War I that brought about the true potential power of the U.S. Navy. After World War I, the U.S. Navy became a prominent instrument in the foreign policy of the world.
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
The Playground Essay Research Paper I have
The Playground Essay, Research Paper I have a friend I used to know who had a playground where we would go The times we had are fresh in my mind but they are from another time
Stockings Essay Research Paper
“Stockings” Some people wish on rabbitś feet. Others carry lucky coins and even lucky underwear. Henry Dobbins carried his girlfriend́s silk stockings. “He liked putting his nose in the nylon and breathing in the scent of his girlfriend́s body; he liked the memories this inspired…They gave access to a spiritual world, where things were soft and intimate, a place where he might someday take his girlfriend to live.”(129) These stockings also “ kept him safe.” (129) He seemed to avoid all of the usual occurrences of war: mines, wounds, and sickness, and the guys “came to appreciate the mystery of it all.” (130) Henry never got the chance to take his girlfriend to his special place, because she broke up with him during the war.