Anwar al-Awlaki & Samir Khan

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Well you did wonder why Obama would sign the bill into law and I gave you a possible reason...

Also, Obama's decisions are not at Israel's level. Israel actually practices assassinations under false flag operations. We haven't done that for decades (that we know of).

OK, I wasn't clear when I said I didn't have any idea... being rhetorical.

In your post, how are US decisions not at Israel's level ?
I'm not trying to quibble... just not getting your meaning.

With respect to "false flag" etc., to me it does not matter
what tool, kind of operation, with or without deception.

That is, whether by drone, poison dart, hired assassin, etc.,
it is still the assassination of an American citizen without trial
and only on the word on the President.

How does that make the US a better country than others ?

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

How does that make the US a better country than others ?

If you are looking at this as a black and white issue where there is a line and anything that crosses that line is equally unethical, then yes, the US wouldn't be any better. But, in my opinion, that is absolutely horrible internal/foreign policy. Rules are a necessity for a stable society but it should also be recognized that always sticking to the rules sometimes produces dangerous and illogical decisions.

[Lamplighter]

OK, I'm following your line of thought. Things can be gray, and someone will have to decide which options to take.

Now for the "but"...

Would the US ideals (innocent until proven guilty) be lost if the President
were still required to go before a judge (i.e., Supreme Court) to make the case of guilt and
that there is no other way... that is, more or less, a trial in absentia ?

At least that way, there would be a check/balance over the decision of a single person,
who otherwise could become our equivalent of a Stalin or (whoever you want to name here)

But so far, I still maintain that capture and trial in the US is the right/best way to go.
.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

But so far, I still maintain that capture and trial in the US is the right/best way to go.

As I said earlier, I agree completely that trial is better if there is a realistic way of doing capturing Al-Awlaki. If there is not, I'm not sure if this situation applies, then you have to make the decision to take him out, without due process, or let him go, possibly harming other American citizens later.


I don't have all the information, but this could be a situation where Obama had a temporary chance to take Al-Awlaki out. In that case, going before a judge and all of that is basically the same as letting him go.

[Lamplighter]

OK... I get your points.

[xoxoxoBruce]

He was not a citizen.