Today starts the confirmation hearings of the president's choice to head the CIA. The person picked for that spot is the architect of the Obama drone attacks John Brennan. Throughout the Obama administration congressmen, journalist and anyone with a sense of Civil Liberties have tried to understand the rational behind the continued bombing of innocent victims in an effort to get just one bad guy.
The most noted incident was the targeted drone attack of a wedding party in Afghanistan which killed everyone at the gathering in order to kill just one Al-Qaeda member. Drone attacks have been used in Pakistan, Yemen and anywhere it is presumed Al-Qaeda members are walking the streets. But with and undeclared war against an enemy with allegiance to no known country, it's only a matter of time before one of those enemies pop up on our shores or is home grown from within.
With the release of a memo prepared by the Obama Justice Department outlining the president's ability to unilaterally order the execution of American citizens abroad, many have demanded clarity on the administration's position on these targeted attacks. One statement of vagueness is the person ordering the attack only has to be a high level government official. The paper states that the US government can kill its own citizens overseas if:
(1) An informed, high level-official of the U.S. government has determined that the targeted individual poses an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States.
(2) Capture is unfeasible and the United States continues to monitor whether capture becomes feasible; and
(3) the operation would be conducted in a manner consistent with applicable law of war principles.
The problem with the war principles being applied is that the United States have not declared war against a known enemy in over half a century.
We don't have to feel that Obama duped us concerning his stance on drone attacks. If you recall on his move into the white House four years ago, he surprised his daughters with a surprise party which included the Jonas Brothers. His daughters are huge fans of the group and no doubt the appearance of the group was the highlight of their young lives. Obama at his first Correspondents Dinner made a startling statement to the Jonas Brothers who were in attendance at the dinner. He said:
"The Jonas Brothers are here, they're out there somewhere. Sasha and Malia are huge fans. But boys, don't get any ideas. I have two words for you, Predator Drones. You will never see it coming. You think I'm joking."
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