It wasn’t until I read the New York Times piece about Pres. Obama personally culling through the list of those on America’s kill list that I even realized this country had a kill list.
Yes, I continue to marvel at my own naivete. Not to sound like too much of a dolt, I did know about the Authorization of Use of Military Force, which is often cited as a justification to target enemies who have engaged in or provided assistance in terrorism against this country. AUMF, as you recall, was put in place following 9/11.
The Times reporters explain that the president actually picks every target of focused drone attacks, assisted by a group of national security advisors and aides. In its own opinion piece, even the Times feels that such a list gives the president of this country far too much power.
Beyond the concern over the scope of presidential power is the basic morality of the existence of the kill list in the first place. Some wonder if the scope of the kill list is boundry-less and could justify the targeting of just about anyone.
You can access the article here.
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I have to be honest, I was unsure if President Obama would have the courage to engage the enemy in this manner to protect our country. As an American citizen and taxpayer I am thrilled that he did in fact have the courage to hunt down and see that Bin Laden was confronted and killed. Bin Laden will never again plot plan or kill Americans. As the TOP AMERICAN OFFICIAL the President must have the ability to decide that any viable threat to Americans should be eliminated. Any person who has trouble with that should have had to carry dead bodies of innocent Americans at the twin towers, the Pentagon, or in a field in Pennsylvania on 9/11. If that doesnt change their opinion they should attend a beheading or observe Americans that were hung upside down from a bridge and burned to see what terrorists are truly capable of. Your worries of a “kill list” that the President has is a waste of your time. I can assure you that Mickey Mouse, Santa Claus, and Average Joe Citizen are NOT ON THAT LIST.