[Louis Foxwell]

You are an enemy combatant if you lead military forces against the people and government of this nation for the purpose of killing and destroying, particularly if those forces are sworn enemies of our government and our government has designated them enemies of the state to be hunted down and destroyed wherever they are found. Nor are we alone in this. Many states such as Yemen, the government responsible for the killing in question, have similarly sworn to destroy the leadership and facilities of this nefarious organization.
You miss the delicate point that citizenship rights extend only so far as citizenship is acceded to. Once a putative citizen becomes an enemy of the state and takes up arms against the state they have forsaken their rights as citizen.
Birthright citizenship does not confer absolute protection of Constitutional rights. If the individual has rejected Constitutional authority in their words and deeds and has joined an enemy sworn to the destruction of Constitutional government they are by definition an enemy combatant and are fair game for the military when charged with their destruction.
In war the niceties of law and judicial review are effectively suspended. There may be instances where trials are appropriate. Enemies on the field of battle are not among them.

[Dust in the Wind]

"Once a putative citizen becomes an enemy of the state and takes up arms against the state they have forsaken their rights as citizen....If the individual has rejected Constitutional authority in their words and deeds and has joined an enemy sworn to the destruction of Constitutional government they are by definition an enemy combatant and are fair game for the military when charged with their destruction. "

That is my understanding, thanks. .

[CynicalBear]

>> Once a putative citizen becomes an enemy of the state and takes up arms against the state they have forsaken their rights as citizen.<<

Who declares them “enemy of the state”? Having already been called terrorists are Christians or the TEA party people soon to be called enemy of the state? The people at Waco only had weapons to protect themselves but never raised a finger against the government. The lady holding her baby in the house on Ruby Ridge never attempted to “take up arms against the state”. Claim “this is different” all you want but we are a nation of laws or we are not. Due process should mean something to those of us who claim to be conservatives and constitutionalists.

Of course I understand the threat Al Awlaki was and understand that he had to be stopped but the lack of concern on this forum with a President that can sign away the rights of a citizen (yes I know that there is doubt he was even a citizen) should concern us.