Posted on 02/04/2013 6:29:12 PM PST by kristinn
A confidential Justice Department memo concludes that the U.S. government can order the killing of American citizens if they are believed to be “senior operational leaders” of al-Qaida or “an associated force” -- even if there is no intelligence indicating they are engaged in an active plot to attack the U.S.
The 16-page memo, a copy of which was obtained by NBC News, provides new details about the legal reasoning behind one of the Obama administration’s most secretive and controversial polices: its dramatically increased use of drone strikes against al-Qaida suspects, including those aimed at American citizens, such as the September 2011 strike in Yemen that killed alleged al-Qaida operatives Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan. Both were U.S. citizens who had never been indicted by the U.S. government nor charged with any crimes.
SNIP
But the confidential Justice Department “white paper” introduces a more expansive definition of self-defense or imminent attack than described by Brennan or Holder in their public speeches. It refers, for example, to what it calls a “broader concept of imminence” than actual intelligence about any ongoing plot against the U.S. homeland.
SNIP
“A lawful killing in self-defense is not an assassination,” the white paper reads. “In the Department’s view, a lethal operation conducted against a U.S. citizen whose conduct poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States would be a legitimate act of national self-defense that would not violate the assassination ban. Similarly, the use of lethal force, consistent with the laws of war, against an individual who is a legitimate military target would be lawful and would not violate the assassination ban.”
(Excerpt) Read more at openchannel.nbcnews.com ...
Because he TOOK the power and no one in a position of authority or oversight bothered to question him on it much less stop him out of fear of being called a racist.
We have political correctness and a limp-wristed spineless GOP led by John Boehner and Mitch McConnell to thank for not doing their jobs and leading the opposition.
The folks at NBC who think they'll be 'with' the oppressors - rather than being part of the oppressed - might be in for a surprise. Totalitarians like to make examples of their ‘former friends’ and that just might be the suck ups at NBC...ABC has the biggest 'in' and they might not like the attitude at NBC. When the law doesn't rule - petty prickly personalities rule..
Standing against the governments ability to shoot citizens for having the wrong political beliefs should be obvious. The idiots at NBC ... shame on them.
Thanks for posting!
You have a point...
FR thread 1/24/13: FBI unsure of killing American Citizens! What is Obama up to? -- I just came across it (thanks, neoliberalnot). Added keyword "killingAmericans".
Hi, Kristinn, meant to ping you to above. Thanks for all you do. Stay warm and well.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.