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Maedhros

(10,007 posts)

8. There is no evidence that al-Awlaki was a "terrorist"

Wed May 22, 2013, 05:42 PM

May 2013

He wasn't charged with any crimes. When asked to provide evidence of his involvement in possible crimes, the government has decline to do so citing national security concerns.

The only thing al-Awlaki engaged in was inflammatory anti-American rhetoric. This is protected speech (cf. Brandenburger v. Ohio).

To outright state that al-Awlaki was "one of the biggest and most brutal terrorists there was" is to simply repeat propaganda.

If the government assassinates a U.S. citizen, then it must provide the rationale behind the decision to do so and back up that rationale with real evidence. The government has not done this.

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In a First, U.S. Acknowledges Drones Killing 4 Americans [View all] Stuart G May 2013 OP

One of the biggest and most brutal terrorists there was. graham4anything May 2013 #1

Who? Comrade Grumpy May 2013 #2

triple a graham4anything May 2013 #3

There is no evidence that al-Awlaki was a "terrorist" Maedhros May 2013 #8

There is plenty of evidence out there geek tragedy May 2013 #13

That is called "hearsay" Kelvin Mace May 2013 #19

Court testimony is not hearsay by definition. geek tragedy May 2013 #25

Court testimony is not admissable in another case unless Kelvin Mace May 2013 #28

Are you alleging that the underwear bomber geek tragedy May 2013 #32

They were NEVER placed in the stand Kelvin Mace May 2013 #44

You're confused on both the definition of hearsay geek tragedy May 2013 #51

Again, bin Laden was afforded more due process than AAA Kelvin Mace May 2013 #53

You're free to stick your head in the sand geek tragedy May 2013 #54

Once againing Kelvin Mace May 2013 #68

Arrest wasn't an option, as he was a fugitive from the Yemeni authorities geek tragedy May 2013 #75

No, not by definition MNBrewer May 2013 #29

If someone testifies that "AAA told me to geek tragedy May 2013 #34

If there was evidence of a crime Maedhros May 2013 #43

Excellent point Kelvin Mace May 2013 #47

The al-Qaeda franchise in the Yemen area has been engaged geek tragedy May 2013 #48

Yeah, you just walk through the AQ-held area of Yemen, which is engaged in a civil war... Recursion May 2013 #72

It's called a state of war telclaven May 2013 #80

No, you're right, Nazis weren't arrested. Heywood J May 2013 #82

And this has what to do with anything? telclaven May 2013 #86

Not to be mean here but court testimony can indeed be hearsay. Most of the time, hearsay 24601 May 2013 #60

The first sentence says "A statement made out of court..." Recursion May 2013 #73

Did you follow the link and read the federal rules of evidence? One of the exceptions is to allow 24601 May 2013 #85

That's probably why the government didn't say he was a target. hughee99 May 2013 #59

Really? another_liberal May 2013 #4

Absolutely. Thanks for saying it. n/t Judi Lynn May 2013 #5

Thank you! AndyA May 2013 #6

But that doesnt answer the real question of cstanleytech May 2013 #7

No one suspected of a crime should be killed outright, unless he is violently resisting. another_liberal May 2013 #12

Oh I agree and cstanleytech May 2013 #20

One could argue these individuals were violently resisting.. DCBob May 2013 #22

So are you OK Kelvin Mace May 2013 #31

who said these others were innocent? DCBob May 2013 #33

That is your standard of evidence for summary execution? Kelvin Mace May 2013 #37

summary?? I think they had a great deal of evidence on this guy. DCBob May 2013 #38

What is this evidence you speak of? Kelvin Mace May 2013 #41

Well said! another_liberal May 2013 #61

Thank you. woo me with science May 2013 #95

Yeah. Guilty until proven innocent. That's the ticket. DirkGently May 2013 #55

It was the car we were attacking. another_liberal May 2013 #62

Suspicion of "planning and preparing" is more like it. another_liberal May 2013 #63

What do we do? bvar22 May 2013 #14

Exceptionally well stated. Kelvin Mace May 2013 #40

Thank you. nt woo me with science May 2013 #94

Comparing Obama to Stalin is ridiculous. 7962 May 2013 #98

Claiming the authority to execute anyone, anywhere, at any time... bvar22 May 2013 #105

All the "standards" in the world mean nothing, applied in secret. (nt) DirkGently May 2013 #100

What do we do NOW Kelvin Mace May 2013 #23

Exceptionally Well Stated! bvar22 May 2013 #66

Would you approve a drone strike on them, then? nt Dreamer Tatum May 2013 #9

I don't like drone attacks on anyone when we are not at war. another_liberal May 2013 #10

If I was president? cstanleytech May 2013 #16

Nope, because I believe in due process and the rule of law. Kelvin Mace May 2013 #24

Except the problem here is the discussion is how to deal with those who cstanleytech May 2013 #30

Follow the RULE OF LAW Kelvin Mace May 2013 #35

Yes, in hindsight alot of things could and should have been handled differently cstanleytech May 2013 #46

No, I answered the question. Kelvin Mace May 2013 #50

Rule of law also states that the police can use deadly force. cstanleytech May 2013 #57

Hardly the situation his own observation Kelvin Mace May 2013 #65

Oh, I see what your problem is. bvar22 May 2013 #69

Oh Dear God, not this again! telclaven May 2013 #81

Drone those miserable pieces of feces and a bunch of banker terrorists as well. JEB May 2013 #26

wondering why it took this long 1983law May 2013 #77

Murder is murder. another_liberal May 2013 #79

Summary? 1983law May 2013 #89

If you, as an American, travel overseas . . . another_liberal May 2013 #91

I gather 1983law May 2013 #92

Abortion? another_liberal May 2013 #103

Choice only matters when it suits 1983law May 2013 #110

That is meaningless . . . another_liberal May 2013 #112

Really? Kelvin Mace May 2013 #11

killing an enemy is not an execution, it's killing an enemy nt geek tragedy May 2013 #15

He was an American citizen Kelvin Mace May 2013 #17

armed conflict and criminal justice are two entirely different geek tragedy May 2013 #21

If the guy is shooting at Americans Kelvin Mace May 2013 #27

The US was there to kill bin Laden, let's not kid ourselves. geek tragedy May 2013 #56

Again, based upon what evidence? Kelvin Mace May 2013 #67

And this is a time of war Recursion May 2013 #74

The AUMF did NOT Declare a State of War. bvar22 May 2013 #96

That myth is prevalent, but wrong Recursion May 2013 #102

You know what is funny about your "work" here. bvar22 May 2013 #106

I wasn't here in 2003 Recursion May 2013 #107

You must have had an opinion. bvar22 May 2013 #109

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 May 2013 #36

What does that have to do with the subject of the article? Doctor_J May 2013 #83

K&R DeSwiss May 2013 #18

Very few in our party care so long as it's our party doing it... Demo_Chris May 2013 #39

I care as Kelvin Mace May 2013 #42

Well, I am a hypocrit no question. There is probably NO moral failing I don't commit every day... Demo_Chris May 2013 #45

Absol-freakin-lutely Kelvin Mace May 2013 #49

Here;s Holder's Letter: WillyT May 2013 #52

Scumbags deserved it tabasco May 2013 #58

Actually graham4anything could well be a Tom Tomorrow character Doctor_J May 2013 #84

An American Teenager disidoro01 May 2013 #64

Yikes gopiscrap May 2013 #70

K&R Solly Mack May 2013 #71

so Obama admits to murdering Americans.....fuck the Constitution. bowens43 May 2013 #76

Yes, and all with the New And Improved..... DeSwiss May 2013 #88

+1000000000000000 woo me with science May 2013 #90

. blkmusclmachine May 2013 #78

"Citizen" or not....you're fair game michigandem58 May 2013 #87

Proof? davidthegnome May 2013 #93

There's potential for Presidential abuse michigandem58 May 2013 #97

It is exactly that sort of logic... davidthegnome May 2013 #99

I have no doubt, John2 May 2013 #101

Were you as big a fan of the Unitary Executive when Bush was wielding these powers? bvar22 May 2013 #108

A few points michigandem58 May 2013 #104

Sad that it takes the death of a few Americans to get people to pay attention... Locut0s May 2013 #111

Obama Administration Admits to Dronning US Citizens...How Many? circlethesquare May 2013 #113