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 ...
The Islamist in Chief still hasn’t executed Nadil Hasan who was in contact with Al Qaeda before he attacked US citizens at Fort Hood.
Obama’s administration classifies it as “alleged workplace related violence” and the murderer is STILL RECEIVING HIS PUBLIC PAYCHECK!
Obama speaks with forked tongue.
Not good. Coming soon to the friendly skies of your flyover state.
How have we reached the point where a thug like Eric Holder has this kind of power?
For the list
Like the Tea Party?
As much as I hate islamic terrorists...........
The “AL QAEDA” buzzword is the sugar to make the medicine go down:
Have no doubt they’ll be turning Wal-Mart Willy and Costco Kathy into puffs of pink mist.
The first instance of using Global Hawk in CONUS was in Wyoming, and it was against ranchers who’d had some cattle wander onto their land.
ruby ridge & waco
I don’t get the outrage about this.
If terrorists are legitimate targets, then why should a terrorist get a Don’t Drone Me Bro Card simply because he has American citizenship?
Some of the German infiltrators at the Battle of the Bulge who dressed in American uniforms were US citizens. They were still shot out of hand as in violation of the laws of war. As they should have been.
AFAIK there is at present no attempt to apply this principle inside the US. But if terrorists launch an all-out attack such as Benghazi or Beslan, does anyone seriously contend we shouldn’t respond with all necessary military force, even if those launching the attacks are US citizens?
I don’t trust our present administration any more than anybody else, but I think the principles outlined here, as such, are valid
It seems only like a short time ago that liberal journalists were unset because enemy combatants caught on the battlefield with weapons were being indiscriminately imprisoned.
Where do we buy anti-aircraft weapons? The Chinese? French? (Wouldn't that be funny that they save our asses again.)
Where do we buy anti-aircraft weapons? The Chinese? French? (Wouldn't that be funny that they save our asses again.)
The trouble with laws is that we think, “a reasonable person wouldn’t abuse this.” We need to start looking at each law if it were in the worst hands possible. Judging them from that perspective would go a long way toward corralling government.
Wow... just... like, wow, man. This admin is just out of control. How is it that NBC is coming up with this and not us?
Thanks Army Air Corps
The list, Ping
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for later
It’s good to be king, not so good to be a peasant. I repeat, this is too much power for a POTUS, any POTUS.
Thanks Army Air Corps
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