US says it may kill Americans abroad

[EVAY]

I believe this was rubber stamped by Congress in the fine print of the Military Commisions Act back in 2006. It probably has been in place through an Executive Order much before than that though.

That's the impression I had. That the EO was in place pretty early, and normally the congressional committees are notified of these policies (regardless of whether or not they admit it in public).

[Winehole23]

It would be perverse in the extreme, but wouldn't it be preferable to at least require the President to demonstrate to a court that probable cause exists to warrant the assassination of an American citizen before the President should be allowed to order it? That would basically mean that courts would issue "assassination warrants" or "murder warrants" -- a repugnant idea given that they're tantamount to imposing the death sentence without a trial -- but isn't that minimal safeguard preferable to allowing the President unchecked authority to do it on his own, the very power he has now claimed for himself? And if the Fifth Amendment's explicit guarantee -- that one shall not be deprived of life without due process -- does not prohibit the U.S. Government from assassinating you without any process, what exactly does it prohibit?

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/gl...men/index.html

[Winehole23]

And the most glaring question for those who critized Bush/Cheney detention policies but want to defend this: how could anyone possibly object to imprisoning foreign nationals without charges or due process at Guantanamo while approving of the assassination of U.S. citizens without any charges or due process?

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/gl...men/index.html

[ElNono]

We've come full circle here with the Gitmo thread and my argument with elbamba. His novel interpretation of the 5th Amendment would basically means due process is suspended until further notice. I don't believe that to be he case at all.

[Winehole23]

I hope you're right about that.

[Wild Cobra]

I assume it goes on everyday.

Me too. Probably not daily, but I agree. I believe assassinations do take place. Announcing it just doesn't make sense. Are they trying to light another fire under bleeding heart liberals asses again?

[Wild Cobra]

It would be perverse in the extreme, but wouldn't it be preferable to at least require the President to demonstrate to a court that probable cause exists to warrant the assassination of an American citizen before the President should be allowed to order it? That would basically mean that courts would issue "assassination warrants" or "murder warrants" -- a repugnant idea given that they're tantamount to imposing the death sentence without a trial -- but isn't that minimal safeguard preferable to allowing the President unchecked authority to do it on his own, the very power he has now claimed for himself? And if the Fifth Amendment's explicit guarantee -- that one shall not be deprived of life without due process -- does not prohibit the U.S. Government from assassinating you without any process, what exactly does it prohibit?

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/gl...men/index.html

You think?

What about this from Article 1 section 8 of the cons ution:

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;

This is a power on congress, without the need of a court order, and arguable a presidential power as well.

[Winehole23]

Me too. Probably not daily, but I agree. I believe assassinations do take place. Announcing it just doesn't make sense. Are they trying to light another fire under bleeding heart liberals asses again?

God, that's a weird thought. But the part that goes before is not too different from mine.

[boutons_deux]

What difference does it make whether murdered-for-politics/because-we-can-murder human being is an American citizen or not?

Are American human beings better than non-American human beings?

[Winehole23]

Telling Americans you're going to blow them away is a new angle.

[Winehole23]

Assuming it as a possibility (the man who new too much) is one thing, having your government publicly announce it as a given, is another.

[Winehole23]

The difference is more than style.

[Marcus Bryant]

Predictably, the same crew is comfortable with the federal government killing American citizens without due process.

The odd thing is that they are rather comfortable with the great evil socialist leader claiming this power and exercising it.

This "War on Terror" has finished off what vestiges of the Cons ution remained when it began.

[Stringer_Bell]

This "War on Terror" has finished off what vestiges of the Cons ution remained when it began.

Have you even read the Cons ution? Our founding fathers said we could do whatever the fcuk we want whenever the fcuk we want. If we gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette then we're sure as gonna put some cheese and bell peppers on that while we're at it.

Better watch out, I'm on liberal bias alert. You can't spin here, not as good as me!

[mavs>spurs2]

Exactly how many Americans are running off and joining Al Queda?

[Marcus Bryant]

Yeah, hey, what's to be concerned about when the state can brand a citizen a "terrorist" and execute them at will?

[Marcus Bryant]

Freedom isn't free, bub.

[Marcus Bryant]

You're either with us or you're against us.

[Marcus Bryant]

I'm an Old Testament kind of Christian.

[Marcus Bryant]

The Cons ution is just a goddammed piece of paper.

[boutons_deux]

"Old Testament kind of Christian"

Too bad their ain't no Christ in the OT.

[Marcus Bryant]

Nothing gets by you.

[MiamiHeat]

who reviews said intelligence to ensure that there is no doubt?

american citizens losing their right to trial, etc

sad

[Winehole23]

american citizens losing their right to trial, etc

sad

Isn't it? Patriotic people used to get all huffy about stuff like this.

Now?

Not so much, apparently.

[ElNono]

Isn't it? Patriotic people used to get all huffy about stuff like this.

Now?

Not so much, apparently.

Why are you so ungrateful with the people that are trying to protect you?
Why do you hate America?