Posted on 09/14/2001 11:15:24 PM PDT by Uriel1975
As you've probably heard, Bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist organization is estimated at as many as 20,000 followers in a loose-knit collective spanning as many as 37 countries. While Federal military action is entirely justified against the actual nation-States proven to be active sponsors and harbors of organized terrorist operations, surely we do not expect to declare National War on all of these countries where recruitment, support, and training cells exist. Nor should we trust the (shall we say, not 100% perfect) resources of US counter-terrorist Intelligence, hamstrung in their operations by the "rules of engagement" imposed upon them by the nature of their work and by their host countries to effectively eliminate these cancers. So -- what are we to do?
The Issuance of Letters of Marque and Reprisal is a fully-Constitutional Federal Power which was specifically intended for the prosecution of Vengeance against the "stateless terrorists" of the Founder's day -- Pirates, Brigands, private armies, military adventurers, etc.
The purpose of a Letter of Marque and Reprisal is to create a financial incentive for private-sector military professionals -- trained mercenaries with an ability to travel individually or in small groups without detection -- to bring justice to those "stateless terrorists" identified as enemies of the citizenry. To gather intelligence on the ground, hunt these individuals down where they are hiding, and apprehend or eliminate them in their nests. The advantages of these private, paramilitary units (which are NOT mutually exclusive to a purposeful and directed Military response against defined physical targets) may suggest themselves already; so let's address the disadvantages first:
-- so does the US Criminal Justice system, every year... but we still prosecute Murder, because Murders must be avenged. But - bearing in mind for a moment that this is not a perfect world - ask yourself this: Who is likely to kill more innocent people -- a private mercenary unit who is looking for a specific individual so that they'll get paid, and knows that getting caught "in-country" could leave them at the mercies of a hostile foreign kangaroo court if they hit the wrong target..... or a B-52 bomber at 20,000 feet??
-- They already did try to kill the President (and Congress, too), and the soon-to-be-coming mass bombing raids against diverse and sundry Jihadistans aren't very likely to make them cozy up to us and play nice.
-- September 11, 2001. And what is stopping them from doing it again, using different tactics, against different civilian targets is... what? The point is bloody well moot.
-- Yes, and I'm proposing to pay them a heck of a lot more than the average 18-year old infantryman we're about to put into harm's way - and only if they volunteer for the mission, at that.
-- Puh-leeze. Congress just busted the budget to the tune of $40 Billion for what may turn out to be the preliminary battles in a long war. We could bounty the heads of every single al-Qaeda operative at $1/2 million apiece for a quarter of that. And amounts averaging that level are probably appropriate, given a desire for swift and effective retribution, and the dangers that private contractors will face.
Those objections addressed, let's now consider a proposal.
RESOLVED, That the Senators and Representatives of the United States in Congress Assembled, acting by the Powers granted them under Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution of the United States of America, do hereby issue and grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal against those agents and operatives of the Al-Qaeda Terrorist Organization, such as the Department of Defense acting on the direction of the President in consultation with this Congress, shall specify. Terms:
In support of the prosecution of these Letters of Marque and Reprisal, the Congress of the United States directs the Department of Defense to provide registered contractors with such armaments, equipment, logistical support, and intelligence as the contractors shall reasonably require; and may provide such discrete transportation and assistance in the prosecution of these contracts as the Department of Defense shall deem appropriate. However, in the case of capture by a hostile agency, the Department of Defense shall have the right to disavow any knowledge of, or responsibility for, the contractors in question; especially in the case of any contractor action against targets not specified for Reprisal by the Department of Defense.
Tell him to be on the lookout for the article he will be receiving (if he has not already) from Murray Sabrin.
Y'know the best thing about this Bill? Other than the paying of Constitutional Bounties to Private Citizens for a job well done, this Bill gives grandstanding Senators Clinton and Schumer absolutely nothing to do.
No new programs. No new regulations. No new restrictions on Liberty.
Just a Citizen's Militia taking the war, behind enemy lines and under cover of night, to the stateless terrorists who planned, organized, and executed these mass murders.
Of course, there will be a massive Military action, as well; $40 Billion has already been authorized for Government Military action, and this Bill certainly does not advocate any exclusion of military action.
But a merciful God willing, maybe our Congress will have the sense also to allow the Militia of the Citizens to carry this war to the enemy's hidden nests -- and end this war in Victory before our liberties are hopelessly usurped by the Left and their dupes.
Yes, arimus, the "Free Republic Libertarian Caucus" is going to do its best to get this Bill as much "air time" as we can muster. Obviously, we'll be staring small -- nunya bidness is going to try to get this posted on Sierra Times, and I will take care of getting it posted on Lew Rockwell's website. We'll just have to go from there, take it day by day.
Friends, libertarians, countrymen... we seek not (as Statist liars would claim) to praise Osama Bin Laden -- but to bury him.
Let's do what we can in the weeks ahead to:
1.) Win this War.
2.) Bring back the "Liberty Teeth" of an active and engaged Citizen's Militia.
3.) Retain our Constitutional freedoms.
Sound idea finds ear in government official.
Sounds like an absolutely unbelievable headline.
Bump
Sorry - childhood flashback.
Re-read your proposal closer, and given the amounts involved and my ongoing boredom
with my business, I'm making myself available for hire for these missions.
Where do I sign? This combines my two greatest loves - raw, greedy free enterprise, and
cold-blooded, up close and personal venegance.
On reflection, you're probably right about this. If Paul takes a stand against it, he will be demonized. Viciously.
Obviously, Republican Liberty Caucus will probably oppose it on Principle, but RLC's resources are not, at this point, vast and wide-reaching. I can mention your opposition to Murray, but I can tell you in advance what he would probably say: 1.) He completely agrees with your concerns, but 2.) He may not be able to muster a powerful opposition to it.
I wish I could be more encouraging. :-(
It's up to us. We can not go on with our lives as hapless targets. The fedgov has spent literally billions on the problem and it's only getting worse. Time to think out of the box before it becomes a coffin!!!
What will keep this from turning into, e.g., a "general Jihad" against Arab-mericans? Where are the chains of responsibility?
Well you're a few days behind schedule (the "Free Republic Libertarian Caucus" already posted the above detailed proposal thread Friday, debated it with ex-military FReepers over the weekend, and now is urging this proposal forward for formal submission to Congress)... but we thank you for your support!!
More to come in the days ahead....
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