What a fantastic ad.

[geoffrey]

The US just flies their boys right on over the minefields.

But the Chinese don't, because they don't have the planes.

They're still a weapon with some uses, which is why they're maintained in the arsenal. It's not just because George Bush hates treaties -- Bill Clinton kicked off US opposition to the treaty.

Actually I think the Chinese do have some pretty neato helicopters. And I'm sure with that many people just hanging out over there, they could build some mighty quick if needed.

[PocketRocket]

Without taking the "morality" of mines to task, I have a few observations about the ad.

Like any fictional short, it has a major plot hole.

It's difficult, if not impossible, to hide a mine in a well-groomed bit of turf like a soccer pitch, the mine would have had to have been buried long enough ago for the grass to grow back over well enough that the burial spot would not be noticed.

So, with all that in mind, why the hell didn't the guy riding the lawn mower get blown up when he was cutting the grass???

It would have been more believable if the scenario took place during a nature hike, or if they were playing on a sand-covered field.

Sorry to veer, but that kind of stuff bugs me.

[Boru]

watch here.

I'm speechless.

I'm never speechless.

Emotional arguments win no sympathy from me. Landmines are no different than any other weapon when used responsibly.

I disagree. Landmines should be completely banned at the manufacturing stage. They are one of the few weapons that can never be used responsibly.

I agree that they cannot be used responsibly. But, they are most defiately not the only weapon that cannot be used responsibly.

[lost&outofcontrol]

Nonsense. They are used and have been used responsibly by western militaries for years. When we plant a mine we map it, and then dig it up after the need has passed. We don't throw them about like bird seed, then move on.

Take the blinds off man. Since 1975, 38k people have been killed and a 100k injured by land mines in Vietnam laid by the US. link

[na85]

If a global ban is passed on land mines, what makes you think that a black market for landmines won't suddenly spring up in 3rd world countries?

You give me two days, a hundred bucks and the internet and I can build you an anti-personnel mine. A block of TNT with nails taped to one face will pretty much serve your purpose there.

Banning mines doesn't make sense, because like someone already said, all it would do is tie our hands. It wouldn't stop terrorists or the Russians and Chinese from using land mines in some sort of guerilla warfare setting.

Furthermore, the US can't always fly over mines. What about urban combat? Three guys hiding in a building with RPG's shooting at helicopters are pretty much safe if they mine the doors and the streets around them.

[BubberMiley]

Besides, landmines are the perfect weapon (like Apache helicoptors) for chickenhawks who like to blow people up, but are scared to be around when it happens.

[geoffrey]

If a global ban is passed on land mines, what makes you think that a black market for landmines won't suddenly spring up in 3rd world countries?

You give me two days, a hundred bucks and the internet and I can build you an anti-personnel mine. A block of TNT with nails taped to one face will pretty much serve your purpose there.

Banning mines doesn't make sense, because like someone already said, all it would do is tie our hands. It wouldn't stop terrorists or the Russians and Chinese from using land mines in some sort of guerilla warfare setting.

Furthermore, the US can't always fly over mines. What about urban combat? Three guys hiding in a building with RPG's shooting at helicopters are pretty much safe if they mine the doors and the streets around them.

Actually last time I checked, land mines can only be used once.

The vast majority of landmines is produced in the 1st world. Stop making them, they stop proliferating.

Troops on the street would be prone to RPG attack too.

[gerryhatrick]

Without taking the "morality" of mines to task, I have a few observations about the ad.

Like any fictional short, it has a major plot hole.

It's difficult, if not impossible, to hide a mine in a well-groomed bit of turf like a soccer pitch, the mine would have had to have been buried long enough ago for the grass to grow back over well enough that the burial spot would not be noticed.

So, with all that in mind, why the hell didn't the guy riding the lawn mower get blown up when he was cutting the grass???

It would have been more believable if the scenario took place during a nature hike, or if they were playing on a sand-covered field.

Sorry to veer, but that kind of stuff bugs me.

I don't know if you've ever worked with sod before, but it's quite easy to peel it up neatly with a nice sharp spade. Dig out a little earth and ta-da a perfect nest for a mine. Lay the perfectly cut sod back down over it and it'd be almost invisible.

Given that, you're observation about the riding lawn mower is moot....however, the lawn could be mown without setting the mine off. The wheels do not touch the entire field.

So, your "plot hole" is quite filled up. And even if all that weren't true, a nature hike or a sand-covered field would have lost the most important aspect of the clip....the bringing of the horror into the Western world reality of the middle class. A soccer mom, no less.

To lose that would have left a huge plot hole. Can't believe a person who is bugged by plot holes would miss that!!