I wanted to take some time and consider this event and all of its implications. September 30th 2011 is a unique day in the history of America and Western Civilization as a whole. What was done on this day is completely without precedent in American history. Whether you agree with the action or not, an American citizen was assassinated without trial. Many people reading this might think “well yeah, so what, the guy was a terrorist.” This might be true (we don’t know for sure because no evidence has been presented to the public) but, its implications are vast. Let us look at them in order.
1. The Rule of Law: Western Civilization has rested on the idea that no one is above the law. This is where the famous phrase “we are a country of laws, not of men” came from. This is not just a slogan, it means that no man can execute another man, only the law can. This is why in firing squads one man always has a blank, so that no one man is the executioner, the law is the executioner. During the Middle Ages, monarchs were considered the law incarnate by divine right. This meant that a monarch could execute anyone and be perfectly within his right because he had the power of life and death over everyone within his domain. This ended with the writing of the Magna Carta where limits were placed on the King in 1215 AD. Specifically the Magna Carta stated “No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned or dissented [seized] or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land” (Magna Carta, sec. 39). Ever since the writing of the Magna Carta, there has always been a court to stand between the state and its citizens but, no more. This action by our chief executive has in effect uprooted 800 years of legal precedent by placing all power of judge, jury, and executioner in one human being.
2. The Constitution: Our President swears an oath to uphold the constitution which clearly states in the 5th amendment: “No person shall be deprived of life without due process of law”. Once again this long held tradition has been completely violated.
3. The Tradition of American Virtue: The United Sates has always been committed to due process with even the most evil of enemies because we are a nation of virtue. In 1945 we tried the most genocidal of Nazi SS war criminals at Nuremberg because “Though we had fought a brutal war, we were determined to act generously to the vanquished. That even applied to the Nazi brass who committed reprehensible crimes against humanity.” We could have taken the Nazi SS officers and had them shot and thrown into the mass graves they made for their victims but, America was committed to doing what was morally right even with the most wicked of human beings.
4. Legal Precedent: The law has everything do with legal precedent. What was done in the past can now be done in the future. Legally speaking, the President has no obligation to present evidence to anybody when killing American citizens abroad or at home. He does not have to present evidence to the media, congress, any court, or even the Intelligence Committee in congress designed to oversee clandestine operations. According to legal precedent, the president can kill anyone as long he has “secret evidence” that only he is privy too.
5. Passion for Liberty: For a republic to survive, its people must have a passion for liberty. Our founding generation would look at allowing the state to violate the most fundamental legal protections as the most disgusting and evil of sins. Patrick Henry once said “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know what course others may take but, as for me; give me liberty or give me death!” Such passion forged our country but, seems disturbingly subdued today. If a despotism ever does come to the United States, it will not come in violence or uprisings in the streets like in Europe. It will come wrapped in the American flag carrying an apple pie. It will whisper ever so sweetly the age old lie that has been said time and time again for thousands of years, “Give me a little liberty and I will protect you”
6. Why we fight: Every solider that has ever fought has sworn an oath to uphold the constitution. Every American soldier’s first loyalty is to the constitution and the natural rights that the constitution was built upon. We fought two world wars to preserve liberty, not to trample over it. To ignore this, is to make our military a tool of the state apparatus, just like the Kings and Emperors of old. I for one like to think that we fight for ideals, not a modern Xerxes.
Parting thoughts:
The real question it seems is why? Why was this done in the way it was? At least when the CIA killed foreign enemies (non-American citizens) in the past they lied about it because they knew it was against the law. Why not even make the attempt to make it seem legal? Why not strip Anwar al-Awlaki of his citizenship before killing him? Why not present evidence to the secret FISA courts set up in the 70s to deal with foreign spies and terrorists? Why not tell select members of congress with top secret security clearances? Why not have a military tribunal? Why not give some evidence, any evidence what so ever, to somebody… anybody? Lastly… why tell us at all? They could have killed him secretly and kept it classified as has been done with countless other military/CIA operations before but, instead they chose to announce it… why? The answers to these questions might be more disturbing than the assassination itself. Maybe it was done the way it was because there was no evidence to present? Maybe it was done because the chief executive arrogantly knew that he could get away with it with no protest from the public? Maybe it was done precisely to set future legal precedent? I know one thing… this is a bad omen for liberty.
History will remember September 30th 2011. The Rubicon has been crossed.
Your article was a fantastic read that was informative and entertaining!
Thank you for your clarity and the coherence of your writing.
Thank you for the presents I received from you for the baby.
You’re deserving of recognition for the kindness you’ve shown me.
This is really thoughtful of you!
It was a perfect sharing bro. very useful to me thx
Terrific article! This is the type of information that are supposed to be shared around the internet. Disgrace on the seek engines for now not positioning this post upper! Come on over and visit my site . Thank you =)
It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
Hey! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. Appreciate it!
It was a perfect sharing mate. very useful tahnxss
It was a perfect sharing mate. very useful to me thx
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? brother. very nice thing cute
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? Man. it helped me a lot thank you
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? hey. it helped me a lot thanx
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? brother. very useful to me thank you
Hello! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Hey there, You have performed a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
532107 430075Extremely fascinating details!Perfect just what I was looking for! 650302
932807 513473Wow, wonderful weblog structure! How long have you been running a blog for? you produced running a weblog appear easy. The entire appear of your internet site is magnificent, neatly as the content material material! 4198
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? brother. very useful to me thanx
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? hey. it helped me a lot cute
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? Man. very useful to me thanx
Hola! I’ve been following your weblog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the great job!
It’s very easy to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this post at this web site.
Helpful info. Fortunate me I found your web site accidentally, and I am surprised why this twist of fate did not happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
296607 684470I dont think Ive seen all the angles of this topic the way youve pointed them out. Youre a true star, a rock star man. Youve got so much to say and know so a lot about the topic that I think you must just teach a class about it 95934
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? Man. it helped me a lot cute
Hi, I read your new stuff on a regular basis.
Your story-telling style is awesome, keep up the good work!
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Take care! Where are your contact details though?
Someone necessarily help to make critically articles I might state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the research you made to create this actual post incredible. Magnificent activity!
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? brother. very nice thing thank you
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? Man. very nice thing thank you
Would you look at the beauty of sharing? Man. very useful to me thank you
You are an inspiration.
Your article was enjoyable to read. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for making learning enjoyable and easily accessible.
The world is fortunate to have people like you who is always there for everyone else.
I am thankful for your assistance in this effort.
502910 258417As I web site owner I conceive the content material material here is rattling exceptional , thanks for your efforts. 81298
This was a really thoughtful gesture for you!
I’d like to extend my appreciation to you for your help and concern.
I am truly grateful for your support in this endeavor.
I am truly thankful for you for your kindness and generosity.
You are an source of inspiration.
We thank you so much for making difficult subjects so simple to comprehend.
I would like to one day return to those who offered it to me.
I’m sure that you’ve thought about my ideas since your gift is exactly the thing I was seeking.
I am sure you have considered my thoughts since your gift is exactly the thing I’ve been looking for.