Well hey, at least he isn't torturing people like Bush did.

[JDPriestly]

40. Terrorism does appear to be a real threat, just how great a threat is hard to know.

But our counter-terrorism strategies need to be much more transparent and less susceptible to becoming the tools of personal agendas.

Is a drone strike the equivalent of declaring war?

Because if it is, then our Constitution gives the authority to declare war to Congress.

Some very specific guidelines are needed.

The definitions in the Patriot Act and other laws about what is and is not terrorism are very vague in my view. A lot of acts that really are terrorism could easily be ignored, and a lot that aren't terrorism could be avenged -- through deadly means.

Obama has pretty good judgment. He is essentially a kind, thoughtful man. But we've had some less sensible, less steady, less sane, less qualified presidents. So the decision as to who gets picked off like a hunted animal should not be left up to the president and whatever sycophants -- sorry -- advisers he chooses to consult.

The Constitution is set up so as to limit the powers of each branch of government and make that body most responsive to and closest to the people primarily responsible for setting policy. The whole drone warfare thing needs to be carefully reviewed and not by some secret committees. The theory can be discussed in public and the decision as to what policies should apply to using drones should be set after a great deal of national and perhaps international review.

It's too much power and too much responsibility to give to a small circle of people.