General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Drones are a distraction. Drones are peripheral to the question Paul is raising. [View all]bhikkhu
(10,789 posts)...and, of course, it would be the absolute last resort of any sane president.
In any case, we have thousands of armed local police, who have the right and responsibility to use deadly force if necessary in their judgement. I only know a few policemen, but I have to trust that they are all well trained and take their responsibilities seriously.
We also have an FBI that is the law enforcement arm of the federal government, which is also many thousands of armed agents with the right and responsibility to use deadly force if necessary in their judgement. I imagine they take that pretty seriously, and I haven't heard of any likely abuses lately.
And that's not even mentioning the "war on terror", which started the recent controversies. I'm prone to say, even when it was bush in charge, that the responsibility to protect carries with it several imperatives, including good judgement. I don't imagine that putting someone in a position of responsibility and then not trusting him with the power of the office, then putting up some legal roadblocks to tie his hands, while still expecting him to carry out his responsibilities...anyway, stupid idea, it doesn't work.