General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Drones: Do I have a line in the sand? [View all]davidthegnome
(2,983 posts)I don't think many people would deny that Al Qaeda is a military force - or an enemy to most, if not all, of us here. Elimination of the enemy is what we do in times of war, or when we feel it necessary for vengeance, justice, peace, or what have you. Yet it's not nearly so simple as that when it comes to this particular situation involving drones. It's the necessity of the consideration of what we are killing and what we are enabling to exist.
Should the President gain the authority to execute any American he or the military powers that be deem to be an enemy, or a danger... it sets a dangerous precedent. Now perhaps this particular President would use that authority honestly and well, perhaps it would be used only for the elimination of militant enemies - and, of course, those caught in the crossfire. A sacrifice for the greater good, happens all the time during war, casualties. It's sad - and it could be argued that it creates more enemies than we destroy. If these drone strikes ever become truly surgical, I might reconsider my opinion...
What I fear is that this sets the stage for the permanent presidential power of authority to kill who ever he or she pleases. Without oversight. Without trial. Without a built in way to determine the legality, or righteousness of such killing.
I have no issue with killing militant enemies who would gladly kill one of us if the shoe were on the other foot. What I do take issue with is the potential for abuse within such a power. It's not merely potential either, in the grand scheme of things, eventually, inevitably, some President would use this power for his or her own ends, politically. We have seen too many tyrants in history, too many secret assassinations and too much corruption to believe otherwise.
What you seem to be favoring here is taking this risk. Is the sacrifice worth it? How many enemies will we eliminate if such powers come into play? How many innocents will die? How long will it be before a corrupt politician or military official uses this power for the wrong reasons?
Regular constitutional protections may not apply to our enemies, but some form of forethought and empathy should. Can we imagine ourselves in their shoes? We must, after all, hope to eventually resolve this conflict. The idea of killing random targets anywhere at all, regardless of Nationality... is disturbing.
I am not a pacifist. I believe in fighting for the right reasons. I do not, however, trust any institution or government well enough to support their gaining of this sort of absolute power. Those in power MUST have to answer to someone for their actions - and to some extent, it is definitely our business to know what those actions are. Especially during times of war. This is far too hush-hush and far too one-sided for me.
Of course, the power will eventually be won... but I wonder how long it will be before you and others regret your support?