Secret Death Panel

[Dammy]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/us-cia-killlist-idUSTRE79475C20111005

American militants like Anwar al-Awlaki are placed on a kill or capture list by a secretive panel of senior government officials, which then informs the president of its decisions, according to officials.

In an ironic turn, Obama, who ran for president denouncing predecessor George W. Bush's expansive use of executive power in his "war on terrorism," is being attacked in some quarters for using similar tactics. They include secret legal justifications and undisclosed intelligence assessments.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

One of the things the progressives railed about when Bush was bringing in these powers was that they would be in place for future presidents as well and the question they asked of Republicans was - how would you feel about a Democratic president having the power to off American citizens by simply putting them on a list without any judicial review. Apparently they thought that was just peachy.

How long before "doesn't agree with the government" or "organizes a protest" becomes sufficient reason to get on the list as an enemy of the state? I guess if each administration takes small enough steps toward that then people won't get too upset and by the time it happens no-one will dare to object.

 

[Glaucus]

Except they weren't so secretive. It was well known he was on the hit list - which is why al-Awlaki's father tried to get a court order to get him off it. The judge ruled against him. There was however one way for al-Awlaki to prevent his death: turn himself in. That would have forced the trial. He chose poorly.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

There was however one way for al-Awlaki to prevent his death: turn himself in. That would have forced the trial. He chose poorly.

If you are on the "capture list" you might have a point, but if you are on the "kill or capture list" they don't really want to capture you. "Wanted: Dead or Alive" means dead.

 

[faethor]

And we all know that Bush sold that Wanted: Dead or Alive cowboy mentality.

 

[Glaucus]

True, they might have sentenced him to death, but at least he'd have due process. Fact is, if he popped up in some embassy somewhere along with a television crew and offered to turn himself in, it's very doubtful they'd shoot him on sight.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

True, they might have sentenced him to death, but at least he'd have due process.

They sentenced him to death when they put him on the list and there was no due process. You have to be very trusting to think that you can turn yourself in and not suddenly become dead in or just before custody.

 

[Dammy]

Except they weren't so secretive.

Reread it, it's the panel that is secret, not their orders to kill a certain person.