'When does the government have the legal right to kill an American?'

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
2/7/2013
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Obtained report says U.S. can legally kill American citizens believed to be al-Qaeda leaders

The White House is scheduled to brief members of Congress on the legal justifications for drone strikes against U.S. citizens. A Justice Department paper, first obtained by NBC News, concluded that the U.S. can legally order the killing of American citizens believed to be al-Qaeda leaders. The administration would not even confirm these memos existed until this week.

Rep. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC News Radio that the memo 'doesn't answer the central questions' revolving around an important policy decision: 'When does the government have the legal right to kill an American?'

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Today, as part of the president's ongoing commitment to consult with Congress on national security matters, the president directed the Department of Justice to provide the congressional intelligence committees access to classified Office of Legal Counsel advice related to the subject of the Department of Justice White Paper," an official said.

Legal experts warn that the secret memo threatened constitutional rights and expanded the definition of national self-defense and of what constitutes an imminent attack.

Not surprisingly, members of Congress expressed serious reservations about the memo. Rep. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told NBC News Radio that the memo "doesn't answer the central questions" revolving around an important policy decision: "When does the government have the legal right to kill an American?"

Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Senator Dianne Feinstein said was pleased with the White House's decision in a written statement.

"I am pleased that the president has agreed to provide the Intelligence Committee with access to the OLC opinion regarding the use of lethal force in counterterrorism operations. It is critical for the committee's oversight function to fully understand the legal basis for all intelligence and counterterrorism operations," Feinstein's statement read.

White House spokesman Jay Carney had said that President Obama was committed to providing more information to Congress -- even as he refused to acknowledge whether the drone memo even existed.

"He thinks that it is legitimate to ask questions about how we prosecute the war against al-Qaeda," Carney said. "These are questions that will be with us long after he is president and long after the people who are in the seats that they're in now [having] left the scene."

The administration's decision to give the memo to the congressional intelligence committees just before the Senate confirmation hearing Thursday for John Brennan, President Barack Obama's pick to lead the CIA. Brennan was an architect of the administration's controversial escalation of drone strikes to take out suspected militants.

� 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Drone strikes, secret paper, Dianne Feinstein, President Obama, al-Qaeda, terrorism

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1 - 3 of 3 Comments

mjgt
3 months ago
Thank you for bringing this information to the attention of the public. It is very important. It makes me think that some of our current leaders are liars and thieves and have betrayed us.
Paul-Emile Leray
3 months ago
Define terrorism objectively.
Paul-Emile Leray
Emma
3 months ago
I just viewed portions of this confirmation hearing. What a display of callous indifference for human life! All human life. Politics as usual. When questioned, Brennan did not once give a direct answer. Feinstein reading from a prepared script, smiling and conversing with him when serious questions were being raised. She may just as well have winked at him. He could not even answer "yes " or "no " to the question "Do you believe water boarding is torture? " Kudos to the women from Code Pink who spoke out for those innocents killed by a US Government that has no desire to listen to the people! They kill, with impunity, then smile about it when challenged. That was truly the face of evil. When does the government have the right to kill its citizens? They openly stated "due process does not apply where 'terrorists ' are concerned. " They continue to neglect to openly define a "terrorist. " According to those in that hearing the answer is clear. Whenever they want to and yes, even on home soil. 5th amendment, 6th and 8th amendment they say "Don't apply in these circumstances!! And they want us to relinquish our 2nd amendment rights also? It was encouraging tho to see those grey haired grandmothers from Code Pink speaking out. Six were jailed!! Didn't see that on the evening news tho, did we?

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